Launceston Male Choir
Making Music in Launceston Tasmania
On Anzac Day 2018 and again in 2019 some of us were pleased to be able to attend the early morning breakfast following the Dawn Service at Hillwood on the East Tamar and sing some songs reminiscent of the war years.
This was the poster for the first of three concerts that we have done at the historic Windermere church to assist the fundraising efforts of the "Windermere Church Forever" community organisation. In 2019 and again in 2021 we sang inside the church but in 2020 due to COVID19 restrictions we gave an outdoor concert - all well received by the audience, together with guest artist Sharon Lissa and friend.
In June 2019 the Launceston Male Choir joined with the Men of Dorset choir for a fundraising concert at the Scottsdale Mechanics Institute Hall - Certificate of Appreciation above.
In July 2019 we had a great concert with the Launceston City Band, RSL Pipes and Drums and Miss B's Students at the Salvation Army Auditorium in Launceston.
The combined Launceston Male Choir and Meander Valley Choir were led by our musical director Robert Clarke and accompanist Noreen Gibson on the piano in 3 songs -
My Land
Let there be Music
Hymn to Freedom
which drew enthusiastic applause and compliments from the audience.
Then several numbers with the City Band finishing with a magnificent rousing finale of Highland Cathedral including the bagpipes.
Regretfully this was the last occasion that Robert Clarke was able to lead the choir.
We joined with his family for a celebration of his life in July 2020 where we were pleased to be able contribute to the memorial service, together with the Meander Valley Choir, with "Make Me a Channel of Your Peace". Robert was musical director for 13 years.
This photo was taken at a Donate for Life event at Quamby Estate on June 2nd 2018 which was held to acknowledge those touched by organ transplants either as donors or recipients.
Nearest to camera are Robert Clarke (conductor) front right, Clarry Prior (centre) and Robin Gregory.
During 2021 the choir had the pleasure of participating in several concerts together with other performers. These include the "Sing for Peace" Concert at Pilgrim Uniting Church in August (part of the Tamar Valley Peace Festival), an outdoor performance at the Launceston Harvest Market and at the biennial "Music in the Churches" organised by the West Tamar Arts Group in October.
Songs included Where'er You Walk, Love Changes Everything, Turn Turn Turn, I Have a Dream, My Land, God Help the Outcasts and Angels in the Night.
In December we were part of the inaugural Carols on the Green at Glenara Lakes and sang a bracket in the City Mall which included a couple of less well known carols - Bring a Torch Jeanette Isabella and The Peace Carol as well as some more traditional carols.