Melbourne and Sydney Staff Songsters to present combined concert
BY LAUREN MARTIN
For the first time since the COVID-19 lockdowns, the Melbourne and Sydney Staff Songsters are coming together for a celebration worship concert at Parramatta Corps in Sydney’s west.
“It will be a worship and praise evening to celebrate all things choral,” said Sydney Staff Songsters Manager Ryan Howes.
The groups have chosen four songs to sing together, with many other pieces to be performed separately. They will come together for a combined rehearsal before their performance on Saturday 23 September.
“There’s a real excitement about singing together as one large choir,” said Ryan. “There’s the chance to have the two different styles of the groups together on the one stage.”
On Sunday 24 September, the groups will separate, with Melbourne Staff Songsters taking part in worship at Hurstville Salvation Army and Sydney Staff Songsters joining with Rockdale.
“We want to throw a spotlight on choral singing in the Army again. It’s no secret that corps songster brigades are fading or have disappeared entirely – COVID made for a tough time,” said Ryan. “But I think COVID also made us realise how much people naturally want to be together – and as Christians, we want to worship together. Choral singing is a natural expression of this, and the growth of choral music internationally in the wake of the pandemic reflects those desires.
“I’m excited to see choirs coming together in Australia in events like this one – there’s a lot of contemporary choral music being published on the international stage, and it’s great to see that making its way into Australia.
“I suppose people will have to come along to find out!”
For those who can’t make the combined concert at Parramatta Salvation Army in person, they can watch online. A link will be made available closer to the concert date on the Sydney Staff Songsters and Melbourne Staff Songsters Facebook pages.
