Key themes: diversity, spirituality and . . . popularity
An Anzac commemoration, a gospel gala featuring big name guests and a collaborative performance of a one-act opera are the highlights of a diverse concert series at Avondale University College in 2020. And it is a series for which you can now subscribe and save.
The series begins with a performance of storytelling music from Central Coast-based singer/songwriter duo Ali & Leighton on Saturday, March 21. While part of the Evensong tradition at Avondale, the performance doubles as the launch of Ali & Leighton’s latest album, The Rhythm of Us.
Avondale String Orchestra and historian Professor Daniel Reynaud will commemorate the spirituality of the Anzacs in another Evensong on May 9. Reynaud’s research challenges aspects of Anzac mythology, especially in cinema and on religion, where the notion of the secularity of the Anzacs has reached dogmatic proportions. The performance will launch Reynaud’s book, The Anzacs, Religion and God.
Collaborative performances of Benjamin Britten’s popular one-act opera Noye’s Fludde brings semester one to a close. Concerts on Avondale’s Lake Macquarie campus (May 30) and at Christ Church Cathedral in Newcastle (June 7) feature Dr Ian Cook’s Newcastle Youth Orchestra and Avondale Conservatorium.
Semester two opens with a double bill as part of Avondale’s annual Homecoming, the biggest Avondale Alumni event of the year. An informal evening of fellowship and favourite hymns (Friday, August 21) will be followed the next day by an evening of gospel music in the style of the Proms. The former features Dr Lyell Heise from the Institute of Worship at Avondale leading congregational singing around the Yamaha CF Concert Grand Piano in Avondale College Seventh-day Adventist Church. The latter: Associate Professor Andrew Legg from the Conservatorium of Music at the University of Tasmania with David Pudney (double bass), John Morrison (drums) and the Gospel Prom Choir.
Pudney returns the month after (September 19) for a collaborative performance of jazz-styled music with his Avondale Jazz Ensemble and guest vocalists performing inspirational songs with storytelling lyrics. The concert is called Sing Me A Story.
Avondale Conservatorium will continue the tradition of regularly presenting a yearend performance of George Frideric Handel’s oratorio Messiah with congregational singing. It will bring The People’s Messiah to Avondale’s Sydney campus in Wahroonga on Friday, November 7, and to the Lake Macquarie campus the next day.
The series ends with The Thrift Honours, an annual graduation celebration of Avondale Conservatorium’s graduands, high distinction recital and prize-winning students.
Half of the events in the series are free. The conservatorium collects a freewill offering at these events to support academic prizes and a scholarship for students. It also offers an annual subscription that gives a 25 per cent discount on ticketed events.
Avondale Concert Series Subscription
Avondale Conservatorium offers an annual subscription to its Avondale Concert Series that gives a 25 per cent discount on ticketed events.
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