june 14 - 20 | 2017
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Dimensions in sound By KYLIE WILSON
MUSIC LOVERS:
Val McMonigle, Guy Robertson and Anne Bittner are among the devoted members of choir Vocal Dimension, which draws members from across the North East. PHOTO: Kylie Wilson
GARDENING WITH
DEBBI
RSPCA
WITH
OWEN
MOVIE DESPICABLE
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WINE TALK WITH
ANITA
SINGERS congregate regularly from across the North East to attend the rehearsals of local choir Vocal Dimension. Hailing from all walks of life, members come together in a common love of singing and creating vocal harmony, and while the group sings songs from a range of genres, many members have a passion for the beauty of sacred music. Their reputation is such that they were recently given the opportunity to share their gifts in Geelong, at the invitation only Festival of Sacred Music held in May. “We were honoured to be one of only five choirs performing this year,” said Anne Bittner of Vocal Dimension. She said the performance, held after several months of rehearsal in Wangaratta, was held in All Saints, an Anglican church in Newtown. “The augmented choir performed to its usual exacting standard and produced a very creditable performance which was very well received,” Anne said. “It was an exciting venture for choir members as it was our first professional engagement.” Anne, a member of the group for around three years, said she has been exposed to sacred music all her life, from her parish church in England, at boarding school, and in parishes in Victoria. She has also sung in the Sydney Opera House on three occasions as part of a choir of several hundred singing the works of Elgar, Bizet and Beethoven. “Sacred music is a huge part of the output of great composers and it is so uplifting to sing and make it come alive with other singers and musicians,” Anne said. But she does not just listen to sacred music, with her music collection featuring everything from classic musicals to The Beatles and ABBA. continued page |
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