
PEMULWUY TOUR
22 November 2023
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
22 November 2023SING JOYFULLY

The Australian Boys Choir in Bendigo, August 2023 (Photo: Chris Powney)
Southern Cross Station on Saturday 19th August 2023 was the beginning of the journey. The Choir, as well as some TVC members, boarded the 10:10am train to Bendigo en route to the Sacred Heart Cathedral to perform Sing Joyfully, the third concert of the Australian Boys Choral Institute 2023 season.
Sing Joyfully by William Byrd kicked off the program, followed by a bracket of four pieces in German, starting with Lobet den Herrn and Dies sind die heil’gen by J.S. Bach then Freuet euch, ihr Christen alle by Andreas Hammerschmidt, before moving forward in time to the 19th century with Felix Mendolssohn’s Richte mich Gott. The Choir retired to the pews for a short break while the audience enjoyed Michael Fulcher’s performance of Mendelssohn’s Organ Sonata in D minor on the glorious grand organ, before returning with the sacred Heart Cathedral Choir for the rousing grand finale.
The second performance on Sunday 20th August saw all members of the ABCI fill East Melbourne’s magnificent St Patrick’s Cathedral. The challenge of transporting the Choir 150 kilometres by train paled into insignificance compared to the challenge of manoeuvring 135 singers behind the scenes, through a labyrinth of corridors across two levels and multiple security doors.
Fortunately, keeping the Tyros and Junior Singers (mostly) quiet during the first half was an easier task as they were enthralled listening to The Vocal Consort and Performing Choir, before joining them for the massed finale of Jerusalem, and Sing! by David Willcocks after the famous Widor Toccata for organ. Enthusiastic applause from an appreciative audience was rewarded with How Can I Keep From Singing? as an encore.

Above: Some of the newest Senior Singers, August 2023 (Photo: Chris Powney)

Sing Joyfully , St Patrick’s Cathedral, August 2023 (Photo: Pat Charles)
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