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The West Australian Nightingale Chorale, is a non-auditioned choir. The chorale had an humble beginning in 1992 under a very different name and with a smaller group of choristers in the City of Gosnells, it is now based in Bunbury Western Australia. The current choristers come from country centres such Wickepin, Cuballing, Narrogin, Donnybrook, Harvey, Perth and of course Bunbury. The Chorale travels extensively and is always in demand interstate and overseas.
The Nightingale's rehearsals takes place the first three Fridays of each month from 6.10 pm to 8.10 pm, and the 4th Sunday of every month from 9.30 am to 3.30 pm. The rehearsal venue is at the Walker Hall,Bunbury. Meeting times will be changed as from 10th February 2012 and will be advertised well in advance.
Nightingales Patron - John Christmass
John ‘got the bug’ for choral singing 60 years ago and has had it ever since, but with growing intensity. He’s founded several choirs and conducted all types – school choirs, unison, two part, three part, four part, WA Choral Society for 20 years, the Anzac service choir for 50 years, the World Swimming Championships choir and other events too numerous to mention. His abiding love has been The New I Voci Singers which he formed 31 years ago and developed into a world class choral group involved in Concert Hall productions, television’s ‘Battle of the Choirs’ and three tours of Germany by invitation. The New I Voci Singers has issued six CDs with outstanding success and another compilation is in progress for release later this year and for sale in Germany.
John has contributed and generated such a love and enjoyment of singing for many generations in Western Australia. His commanding and enthusiastic presence on the conductor’s podium continues to inspire numerous choristers young and old. John says choral singing can be stimulating, educational and fun. “The higher the standard achieved, the greater the satisfaction,” says John. “It is impossible to sing and not feel joyful, no matter how one feels before rehearsal. One simply cannot sing and feel miserable! Sing whatever you like, but sing it well and joy will result.”
West Australian Nightingales Musical Director- Viviane Knight
The Chorale has developed and recorded a repertoire of songs of peace, grace, goodwill and Gospel including some Australian standards. Viviane Knight, who trained in Belgium and Australia is very well known to the choral community, she is the Musical Director for the West Australian Nightingale Chorale. From 1998 to 2007 Viviane was the Administrator/Treasurer of the Australian National Choral Association.Viviane is now the president of Choral Association Australia Inc. Viviane is very proud to be a member of the Standford Who's is Who, and is equally as delighted to be an International Adjudicator for Choral Competitions.
This coming year will see the chorale singing some of Viviane arrangments and new works, including a commemorative song celebrating the chorale 20 years of choral singing.
The WA Nightingale Chorale is a member of the Bunbury Chamber of Commerce.
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