SINGING THE SAME TUNE

Music has an undeniable power to bring people together in shared moments of joy. A perfect example of this has now emerged at A.B. Paterson College – Cornerstone Chorus, a community a cappella venture led by Choir Director and Teacher, Mr Jonathan Albertini which promises to build a legacy of connection and mentoring between current students, Old Collegians and members of the wider community.

Cornerstone Chorus continues a very proud tradition of a cappella choirs at our College.

In 2013, a small vocal ensemble called Wolf Pack formed at A.B. Paterson College to compete in the National Barbershop competition in Perth. This initiative was introduced to the College by Foundation Chairman, Mr Ed Klimowicz and was led by Jonathan Albertini. While Jonathan is new to the HASS department in 2021, he has been running the a cappella choirs at the College for almost a decade.

Jonathan hand selected eight male singers from the College to form an a cappella group. After just a few months of training, the boys flew to Perth to compete in the national contest where they took victory in the School’s Division. After a successful year, and at the urging of other keen students, Jonathan decided to set up a female a cappella choir.

Now in their 9th year, the A Cappella Boys and A Cappella Girls are kept very busy representing the College in many Eisteddfods, on-campus events, and their favourite external a cappella event, Voices in Paradise (V.I.P.).

A Cappella Boys and A Cappella Girls Choirs at A.B. Paterson College

V.I.P is a youth development event run by Mr Albertini for the Gold Coast community. Both a cappella choirs represent the College each year at Voices in Paradise and receive tutoring from some of the best industry professionals from Australia and New Zealand. The event is widely praised by youth choir directors, including Kristina Tassone, Music Excellence and Vocal Group Director at Palm Beach Currumbin State High School who said, ‘Students love working with industry professionals. It gives them an insight into what they can do in the future and it also makes it a realistic opportunity for them.’

To say that 2020 was an interesting year for the world-wide singing community is an understatement. It included many online zoom rehearsals and limited opportunities to sing as ensembles. Although it provided many challenges, a group of young men were determined to set up a brand-new singing group.

Cornerstone Chorus brings together male singers aged 30 years and under and includes many A.B. Paterson College Alumni who once were involved in the A Cappella Boys Choir during their schooling. They rehearse every Thursday night, under Jonathan’s direction, in the Elderslie Theatre at The Winton Centre and aspire to compete internationally.

In Term 2 of 2021, Head of Arts, Mrs Sharyn Walker-Joyce organised for the a cappella choirs to perform at the Mother’s Day Breakfast on 7 May. This would be the first performance for the A Cappella Boys and A Cappella Girls since the lockdown of 2020. The singers worked very hard to prepare their songs for the very large audience of wonderful College mothers.

Foundation Manager, Mrs Stephanie Bryan had also invited Cornerstone to perform at the Mother’s Day High Tea on 8 May in what would be the group’s debut performance. This presented a rare opportunity that Jonathan had been dreaming of for many years – to bring together all past and present male a cappella singers of the College. Therefore, the song “My Girl” by The Temptations was introduced to both male groups separately, with the plan to combine the groups for the Mother’s Day High Tea performance.

In the lead up to the much-anticipated performance, the A Cappella Boys Choir visited Cornerstone for a combined rehearsal. It was truly a fantastic sight to see the students of A.B. Paterson College meet the Alumni and other members of Cornerstone, and it was a thrill for all involved to hear both groups sing as a combined choir.

‘I believe this to be a great way for College students to engage with an external organisation within the community,’ Jonathan said. ‘It also inspires them to achieve with their singing and passion for music.’

Class of 2015 graduate and Assistant Director of Cornerstone, Austin Carpenter thoroughly enjoyed the chance to share his love of singing with current students. ‘Our joint rehearsal with the A Cappella Boys was a great opportunity to help educate the next generation of singers and give them a glimpse into the world of music outside the College. As a past student of A.B. Paterson College, and a member of this very choir, it was a special experience. I look forward to sharing the riser stands with the boys in the future!

The Mother’s Day High Tea performance ‘was, truly, an amazing event,’ Jonathan said. ‘It was a very special experience for me to conduct the combined chorus.'

‘I can see the formation of a new legacy of young men being mentored by Old Collegians. It is a continuing relationship whereby singers would have an avenue to remain connected to the College beyond their student years.’

‘It serves as an outlet for them to enjoy the art form, whilst they are at work or studying at university. These young men with character will become leaders of a community organisation and will develop the next generation of singers.’

It has been Jonathan’s mission to get as many young men singing as possible and this year has provided many exciting developments in that regard. Cornerstone set its sights on the regional competition, held on the Sunshine Coast in May, where they competed against all of the choruses in Queensland. The newly formed group stunned the adjudicators and competition by being crowned Queensland Regional Champions!

‘After only forming in August of last year, this is a big win for us, and I am extremely proud of the boys for their hard work.’

The a cappella choirs will now focus on their preparations for the Gold Coast Eisteddfod and look forward to their next performance in front of their peers, while Jonathan looks forward to nurturing the beautiful connection that has now formed between A.B. singers, past and present.