AllCommunity News

Riverland Harmony Chorus Entertains Riverside Gardens At Christmas Time

Riverside Gardens had a Christmas party on Friday evening of 20 Dec. The residents were entertained by the Riverland Harmony Chorus. The range of music included Christmas carols, Christmas songs and many favourites from bygone years.

Riverland Harmony Chorus is a women’s A Cappella Chorus who love to sing, perform and entertain. It was formed in November 1992 and chartered in 1996. An A Cappella Chorus is music where people sing without instruments. Merryl Liston is the Music Director, and she is an accomplished musician herself.

Merryl has been the Music Director of Riverland Harmony Chorus since 1994. Its Membership is drawn from a wide area of the Blue Mountains City Council, Hawkesbury City Council, Penrith City Council, Cumberland City Council and Camden City Council.

The Chorus meet every Monday evening for vocal training, simple stretch exercises and breathing techniques that are incorporated into their rehearsals. Riverland Harmony Chorus aim to have fun whilst improving its vocal techniques.

The Chorus has competed in various Eisteddfods in the area, sung on the Nepean Belle, at the Joan Sutherland Centre, the Evan Theatre, Blacktown Civic Centre, Sydney Town Hall and at the Sydney Entertainment Centre, as well as many other local engagements and others further afield. Conventions for choruses Australia-wide are held annually. Whether it be festivals, charity events, birthday parties or Christmas functions; – Riverland Harmony Chorus love it all!

The Chorus also takes part in National Barbershop Conventions. What is Barbershop Harmony you may well ask. This style of harmony is produced by four voices singing without accompaniment (A Capella) – Tenor (above the melody), Lead (melody), Baritone (below the melody) and Bass (below the Baritone). A pitch pipe is used to indicate the starting note and from then on it is up to the Chorus to keep in tune. Barbershop singing is considered an original American art form.

Riverside Gardens felt privileged to have Riverland Harmony Chorus entertain them, knowing they are also part of Sweet Adelines International, a worldwide singing organisation for women, and one of more than 30 Sweet Adelines Choruses in Australia and around 450 Choruses world-wide.

After their truly beautiful concert, the Chorus circulated amongst the residents to tell them all about their group and its activities. They said that many lasting friendships have been formed both within the Chorus and with other members throughout Australia.

Their performance was indeed the high note of the Christmas party. As they left the venue many residents described the performances as uplifting, beautiful and giving them a genuine feeling of well-being.

Related Articles

Back to top button