An auditioned community choir, based in Warragul, Victoria, Australia, the West Gippsland Chorale consists of some of the district’s most talented male and female singers. Its wide repertoire includes madrigals, folk songs, modern songs, sacred songs and larger works. We generally have three concerts per year: (Autumn and Spring) plus a Christmas concert.
The West Gippsland Chorale strives for choral excellence through professionally-led musicianship, on-going education and the performance of a diverse repertoire for the gratification and enjoyment of both choristers and audiences throughout West Gippsland and beyond.
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In the beginning….
The Chorale was formed as a madrigal group in 1985 by Musical Director Emeritus Jan MacLean. Over the years it has grown in size to nearly 50 members.
What we do….
Members take pride in presenting entertaining concerts of good music for the people of the region. Previous concerts have included Best of British, Dances and Romances, Bach to Bacharach, Opera Pops, European sacred music including masses and requiems, and every four years, Handel’s Messiah. Soloists for most concerts are drawn from the ranks of the talented choristers.
A small sample of our work can be heard on the following links.
A world first…
In October 2005, the Chorale was delighted to have the opportunity to join with the Prom Coast Singers and the South Gippsland Singers to present the inaugural performance of Larry Hills’ cantata Stars and Maps : Promontory Images, conducted by the composer.
We were 21! (in 2006)
2006 was the Chorale’s 21st Anniversary year. To mark this significant milestone we held a series of Anniversary Concerts. In March, there was a second performance of Stars and Maps, conducted by Larry Hills, and accompanied by Brian Chapman. In May a Festival of Favourites entertained an appreciative audience and in October, Peter Bandy and an Orchestra of tertiary music students joined with us to present a number of celebratory works. Highlights were the Bach Magnificat featuring several of the Chorale’s solo singers and Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy with Brian Chapman delighting audiences and Chorale members alike with his virtuoso rendition of the piano accompaniment and solo passages of this demanding Choral work. December saw the final concert in the series featuring Vivaldi’s Gloria and a number of carols and Christmas works.
Reaching out
Young, talented musicians of the region are encouraged to present items at our concerts. Members are united in the love of singing, and are grateful for the wonderful support they continue to receive from the people of the region and beyond.
West Gippsland Chorale 