Well, in one of those things you never quite expected or anticipated, I am still shocked myself to reveal that I am writing some of the music to be performed in this Sydney Philharmonia Choirs ChorusOz event at the Sydney Opera House. Also featuring the voices of AVE (Australian Vocal Ensemble) and most chiefly Katie Noonan (whose fault it is I have been dared to write music!) it will be a surreal moment to hear a little piece of my own musical brain be sung by hundreds of others on one of the iconic stages of the world.
From the Sydney Philharmonia Choirs website
ChorusOz | The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace
ChorusOz – our annual ‘big sing’ at the Sydney Opera House – brings together singers from across Australia and around the world for an inspiring weekend of community and music-making.
Brett Weymark has chosen The Armed Man: one of the most popular choral works of our time, with thousands of performances and decades in the classical charts. Its starting point is a mediæval earworm (L’Homme armé) but the themes are absolutely contemporary.
Inspired by the tragedy of the Kosovo War, Karl Jenkins combines sacred and secular texts. It’s exhilarating music to perform, with a parade of musical styles, thought-provoking texts and powerful emotions. Equally exhilarating are the choral hymns Finlandia and Jerusalem. And – for the first time the 16-year history of ChorusOz – we’ve commissioned a new Australian work especially for this event.
Whether you’re in the middle of the choir singing at full voice, or joining us in the audience, find harmony singing for peace.
Sing in ChorusOz 2024: open to singers of any ability – no prior singing experience required. Find details and register below.
Sunday 9 June at 5pm
Sydney Opera House Concert Hall
This performance will run for 1 hour and 30 minutes. No interval.
PROGRAM
Karl JENKINS The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace
Jean SIBELIUS Finlandia with choral hymn finale
Hubert PARRY Jerusalem
(orchestral accompaniment by Edward Elgar)
Katie NOONAN & Andrew O’CONNOR New Work†
† Sydney Philharmonia Choirs commission
ARTISTS
Brett Weymark conductor
Katie Noonan soprano
AVÉ (Australian Vocal Ensemble)
ChorusOz 2024
Sydney Philharmonia Orchestra