2001, Sing-it-yourself-Messiah

The New Year started with a get-together at the Morgans' property in Cottlesbridge. and another Sing-it-Yourself Messiah. The Messiah was performed at St. Peter's Eastern Hill, Diamond Creek, Ballarat and Blackburn. There was an impressive lot of soloists and between thirty and forty in the choir.

At St. Peter's there were quite a few DVS supporters, but few locals and, as so often seems to happen, Ken found it difficult with his back to Ian. Anne Callahan was nervous for her solo recitative and started in a different key! Lesley Walton was the only soprano soloist. The next day we were at Diamond Creek, with mainly our own supporters, and Mavis Ford and Nancy Cornwallis shared the soprano solos with Lesley.

The following week we were at Ballarat, and we got good support from the locals. The organ was in the loft again, so the soloists went up to sing from there. The next day we were at Blackburn and, with Mavis and Nancy missing, Colleen Arnott had been invited to help out. Unfortunately, she got sick, so Robyn Ford stepped up from alto to negotiate her solos.

Many of the choir also sang at a funeral service for Colin Chapman, minister at Diamond Creek when the group started. He was often a soloist in the oratorios and his widow requested our presence. We sang the "Hallelujah Chorus" and "Since by Man Came Death". We were sad to lose yet another friend.

These history notes have been kindly provided by our long-term artistic director and co-founder, Graham Ford.