MLC Chorale on the podium in Europe
Wednesday, 09 July 2014
The Methodist Ladies' College Chorale is celebrating their second place at the Summa Cum Laude International Youth Music Festival in Vienna.
MLC's Director of Music, Dr Robert Faulkner, says he is delighted with the girls' performance.
"Chorale has had the extraordinary honour of singing in two of the greatest acoustic spaces in the world," Dr Faulkner said, referring to St Mark's Basilica in Venice and the Musikverein in Vienna.
"Rather than being over-awed or intimidated by them, they have responded with singing of the very highest quality. It has been a delight."
Chorale was bested by a small chamber choir which has had significant international success having won several major choral prizes in Europe.
"It is a far greater challenge to make a large choir like ours really, really good than it is a small and very selective one, where blending is easier," Dr Faulkner said.
The girls sang an innovative arrangement of the Australian classic, Waltzing Matilda. This performance particularly impressed the judging panel, made up of some of the leading choral directors in the world.
"The reputation of yesterday's adjudicators is formidable and while I haven't yet received full feedback, their adjudication confirms once again that the girls are genuinely achieving at the highest levels internationally," Dr Faulkner said.
Next stop on the music tour is Riga, the capital of Latvia, where about 700 choirs from around the world will compete.
Along with Chorale, Barbershop will be performing. The Barbershop girls gave a warm-up performance in Musikverein.
"The Barbershop did a lovely job in preparation for their competition next week in Riga. They are blending well, looking relaxed and confident on stage under Mrs McIntyre's expert direction," Dr Faulkner said.
The Jazz Band girls have not been sitting on their laurels. They gave an informal performance in Italy, and have been busy rehearsing in short and focused sessions. Along with Chorale and Barbershop, Jazz Band performed at the new concert hall of the Vienna Boys' Choir, the MuTh.
"I am immensely proud of the girls," Dr Faulkner said.
After Riga, the tour heads to Switzerland for the Montreux Jazz Festival where the Jazz Band will take centre stage.
