The 49th Intervarsity Choral Festival: MELBOURNE, 23 January-8 February 1998

'''Patrons:''' Sir William Deane (Governor General), The Hon. Jeffrey Kennett (Premier), Prof. Alan Gilbert (VC University of Melbourne), Prof. David Robinson (VC Monash University)
'''Chorusmasters:''' Ben Macpherson, Andrew Wailes<<BR>>
'''Accompanists:''' Jonathan Bradley, Michael Winikoff<<BR>>
'''Camp Venue:''' Campaspe Downs Country Resort, Kyneton<<BR>>
'''Participants:''' SCUNA, AUCS, FUCS, MUS, MUCS, MonUCS, MuscUTS, PUCS, QUMS, SUMS, TUMS<<BR>>
'''FIBS:''' GIMP (General Information for MIV Participants)<<BR>>

=== COMMITTEE ===
'''Convenor:''' Andrew Wailes <<BR>>
'''Secretary:''' Michael Winikoff<<BR>>
'''Treasurer:''' Andrew Scott<<BR>>
'''Camp Officer:''' Justin Presser<<BR>>
'''ConMan:''' Andrew Wailes<<BR>>
'''Fundraising:''' Leanne Veitch<<BR>>
'''Librarian:''' Kim Asher<<BR>>
'''Publicity:''' Winston Todd<<BR>>
'''Social Secretary:''' Nicholas Cowall<<BR>>
'''Transport & Billeting:''' Philip Wilkie<<BR>>
'''General Assistants:''' Luke Murtagh<<BR>>
'''Sponsorship:''' Joyce Chan<<BR>>
'''Corporate Advertising:''' Melissa Mackey<<BR>>
'''MUCS Representative:''' Kate McMullen<<BR>>
'''MonUCS Representative:''' Dave Young<<BR>>
'''Stage Manager/Technical Officer:''' Andrew Howell

=== CONCERT 1 ===
8pm, 3 Feb., Melbourne Concert Hall<<BR>>
'''Conductor:''' Christopher Bell<<BR>>
'''Soloists:''' Irene Waugh<<BR>>
'''Program:''' Shostakovich ''Festive Overture'', Prokofiev ''Lieutenant Kijé Suite'', Borodin ''Polovtsian Dances from "Prince Igor"'', Prokofiev ''Alexander Nevsky''<<BR>>
'''Notes:''' For the Victorian Arts Centre. With the State Orchestra of Victoria. Russian Coach: Nicholas Cowall<<BR>>
'''Review:''' Clive O’Connell, “A little rushin’ in the Russian”, ''Age'', 5 Feb. 1998: B5. “Things took a much-needed turn for the better when the intervarsity choir stood up to take part in the night’s solitary Tsarist contribution … The opening Chorus of Slavewomen [in the Borodin] brought a compelling warmth from the alto forces. This kind of singing, ardent and committed, can’t be completely explained by the age of most in the choir but youthful enthusiasm must be a factor. When the large male contingent blazed into the Polovtsians’ vehement panegyric of Khan Konchak, the concert suddenly came to life. This was excellent singing, a powerful and vehement sound that made you wonder why we endure pallid, by-the-numbers performances from other choral bodies with longer rehearsal time and more experienced singers … Nevertheless, the pitching from all parts of the choir was remarkably accurate and the large body’s attention to note lengths and dynamics exemplary.” 

=== CONCERT 2 ===
8.30pm, 7 Feb., Church of St Mary Star of the Sea, West Melbourne<<BR>>
'''Conductor:''' Graham Abbott<<BR>>
'''Program:''' G. Gabrieli ''Jubilate Deo'' à 8, Praetorius ''Wie schön leuchtet'', Stanford ''Beati quorum via'', Bortniansky ''Te Deum'' for double choir [Australian premiere], Tavener ''Song for Athene'', Thompson ''Alleluia'', Rachmaninov ''Vespers'' [excerpts], Timothy Sexton ''An Australian Alleluia'' [World premiere]<<BR>>
'''Notes:''' The Sexton work was specially commissioned for the festival. Org: Andrew Bainbridge, Piano: Jonathan Bradley. Works by Farnaby, Speer and Beethoven played by Canzona Brass.<<BR>>
'''Review:''' Clive O’Connell, ''Age'', 9 Feb. 1998: C5. “As with last Tuesday’s Alexander Nevsky, the singing reached moments of excellence, even if the patchwork program had a few fillers … Both Russian works on the program brought out the notable qualities of the choir: a powerful male sound spectrum, distinctive altos, a group of sopranos unafraid of challenges … splendid music, but here as precisely enunciated as Sutherland singing Meyerbeer. The premiere of Timothy Sexton’s three-movement Australian Alleluia came at the end of the night, close to 10.30, and sounded pleasant enough, if lightweight … it breaks no new ground, but is a fine example of workmanship and compositional conservatism … The Intervarsity Choral Festival will not be back in Melbourne for another seven years. On this week’s showing it will be worth the wait.”


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