The South Coast Choral and Arts Society presented its spring concert to a capacity audience in the Adare Uniting Church on Sunday, August 31 at 2pm.
The society is this year celebrating 75 years of presenting entertainment to the Fleurieu.
Its well-selected songs were excerpts from shows performed over the years; a nostalgic journey.
President Julie Kelly was Master of Ceremonies and her little anecdotes from over the years made interesting listening, and set a happy atmosphere for the entire concert and added another string to her talented bow.
The National Anthem was a stirring reminder of our heritage which was followed by the song “We Need a Little Christmas” from the show “Mame”.
Alan Field, Victor Harbor’s “Mr Music”, conducted the first half of the program and the choir responded splendidly – as they did for Anna Watson, who conducted the second half of the program.
Both of these folks are members of the choir.
The choir is noted for its excellent diction and the entire program was no exception.
From “My Fair Lady”, guest artist Rebecca Gagliardi sang “Wouldn’t It Be Lovely” and “Get Me to the Church on Time” and wore the stunning dresses which she wore when she had the lead role in the show.
From “Oliver”, the choir sang “I’d Do Anything for You”, “Where is Love”, and “Consider Yourself One of Us”, and it was obvious the choir enjoyed singing those popular songs.
“Oliver” won Community Event of the Year at the time.
The choir excelled in parts as echoed in “All That Jazz” from “Chicago” – great jazz – and Rachel Tuck made the most of that on the grand piano.
Rachel accompanied every song for the entire concert and must be congratulated for her expertise; great pianists are hard to find. What a treasure.
Jonathan Ogilvie, who directed “Chicago” is now studying at NIDA for training professionals in dramatic arts – quite an achievement and SCCAS is very proud of him.
A change of pace to Handel’s music; “And the Glory of the Lord” and evergreen “Hallelujah Chorus” were spine-tingling and several people upheld the tradition of standing during this magnificent presentation.
Red Cross served afternoon tea at interval, with their proceeds going towards homeless folks in Victor Harbor.
Anna, with expressive hands, encouraged the choir in “Oh What a Beautiful Morning” from “Oklahoma”, sung with much feeling and expression, and “I Got the Sun in the Morning”, from “Annie Get Your Gun”, with a short solo from John Wilson.
Another guest artist was the Cinderella Crew, who presented several songs from the musical “Cinderella”, coming in October, for youth and young memories already in character with clear diction.
Some choir members dressed in dazzling costumes from SCCAS’s collection, prompting songs from “The Mikado”, “Three Little Maids”, “The Pirate King” from “Pirates of Penzance”, and The “Cachucha” from “The Gondaliers”, all hailed from music by Gilbert and Sullivan… a treat for the audience, with swashbuckling tones and the satire “Three Little Maids” were clear and melodious.
Who enjoyed those songs more: the choir or the audience?
“Edelweiss”, now a protected species, allowed audience participation, followed by “Sunrise Sunset” from “Fiddler on the Roof” which was full of expression.
The concert concluded with “Do You Hear the People Sing” from “Les Miserables”, an emotional ballad fighting for freedom, very moving or sad – depending on the listener.
And now we await the Christmas concert on December 7 at the Lutheran Centre.
