2003, History and other events

A country excursion with Trial by Jury, and then the most innovative version of The Gondoliers imaginable! After the frivolity Alan Cook conducted DVS for Brahms' beautiful A German Requiem, which ended with a performance with the Preston Symphony Orchestra. DVS donated $1000 to charity, a total of $78,300.

There was another BBO at the Morgans' to start the new year, and this attracted quite a crowd. Many enjoyed the pool, and a very relaxed time was had by all.

Lesley Walton, who had become resident soloist for the Eltham Concert Band, organized a group of DVS members to form a small choir for performance of new works by the conductor, Barry McKimm. This was part of the Banyule Festival and went very well.

The Eisteddfod was again a successful day for DVS with Lesley Walton winning the Ballad from Lucas Richter, then Angela Chiavarolli.

The AGM brought a changing of the guard, with Dianne Richter retiring as President after many years and Ian Lowe taking over. Following the AGM, the new committee started implementing a number of new initiatives, including sending out summaries after each committee meeting. The Preston and Heidelberg Symphony Orchestras invited us to do Carmina Burana the following year. Playing the opening chorus at the AGM sparked an enthusiastic response from the members.

Finally, the carols were conducted by Susanna Wailes again. But only around twenty were involved in four performances. At the Diamond Creek Carols, we did a bracket at the start, with Robyn conducting, filling in for Susanna. The band was from the Vineyard church and couldn't play straight carols, so Irene played for our normal ones. Mavis came to sing, having been at no rehearsals, and that made eighteen out of the thirty-nine doing carols. Graham had to join the solitary tenor.

A small audience listened at Grassy Flat, then we went to Irene's for supper afterwards. We sang twice at the Boulevard, but the second night the heavens opened, so we quit. Roger played the carols as his final fling before moving to Avoca to take over the family home. We were sorry to say goodbye and have missed him. He had given so much to our group over the years and become a good friend.

The 'future directions' committee

2003 was a rather traumatic year in some ways because of the small audiences, and some rethinking had to be done. Following the show there was a move from some inside and outside the committee to look at new directions for the group. A committee was formed to look at shows that would suit the group. This committee recommended the following shows: 1. Brigadoon 2. Fiddler on the Roof 3. Kiss Me Kate 4. Chess

There was also to be more investigation into A Funny Thing Happened on the way to the Forum and Calamity Jane. Another innovation that arose the future directions was the formation of a publicity committee, something that had not existed for some years. This committee came up with a number of innovations that were implemented for Brigadoon.