MonUCS

Cherubfest is held every five years to celebrate the birthday of the Monash University Choral Society (MonUCS). Friends of MonUCS, past and current members come together for a long weekend of singing, socialising and celebration.

This year is extra-special, as it is our 50th birthday! This year’s Cherubfest is themed Revival and promises to be a weekend of revitalising friendships, exploring our musical talents, remembering the rich history of the Society and looking forward to the exciting opportunities yet to come.

Our dedicated Cherubfest 2012 website is now up and running at http://cherubfest.weebly.com/ so you can check out all the details as they’re released. Places for all social and musical events are strictly limited so register ASAP to make sure you don’t miss out!

Since 1962 the Monash University Choral Society has been dedicated to allowing both students at Monash University and members of the wider community the opportunity to learn and perform both major and minor choral works in a friendly, open and relaxed environment. On December 18 and in preparation for their 50th Anniversary celebrations next year, come and join the choir for their performance of Handel’s Messiah. The group will be joined by the orchestra of Melbourne Opera, who incidentally will be celebrating their 10th Anniversary next year. The choir also welcomes four distinguished soloists, Hannah Dahlenburg, Kerrie Bolton, Timothy Reynolds and Nick Dinopoulos. Conducted by Patrick Burns, it will be an afternoon of joyous music making for the Christmas season.

Date: Sunday December 18th
Time: 2pm (Box office open 1pm)
Where: Robert Blackwood Hall, Monash University Clayton Campus
Tickets: $35 (adults), $25 (concession), $20 (groups) – a $2.20 booking fee per ticket applies
Bookings: by telephone: (03) 9905 1111, or online: http://www.monash.edu/mapa

Why, damme it’s too bad!

We hope that you enjoyed HMS Pinafore on Saturday. Over 200 people came to see us on Saturday. If you weren’t one of them, and especially if you were, our next concert will be Handel’s Messiah. Most famous for the Hallelujah Chorus performed every year on Carols by Candlelight (Channel 9), it will herald us into our 50th Birthday Celebrations. More details to come…

Ever thought that Gilbert and Sullivan could be improved with a little steampunk? Or wondered how Gilbert and Sullivan would’ve written their operetta if Babbage’s Difference Engine had actually been built? Then come on down to see Monash University Choral Society perform HMS Pinafore: The Lass that Loved a Sailor as you’ve never seen it before.

Starring
Joseph Vu as Ralph Rackstraw
Lucas Wilson-Richter as Captain Corcoran, Commander of H.M.S. Pinafore
Jess Carrascalão Heard as Josephine, The Captain’s Daughter
Rohan Wilksch as Dick Deadeye
Oliver NcLean as The Rt. Hon. Sir Joseph Porter
Nick Power as Bill Bobstay
Sarah Carpenter as Bob Becket, the Carpenter’s Mate
Gaby Kolb as Cousin Hebe, Sir Joseph’s First Cousin
Ella Motteram as Mrs. Cripps (Little Buttercup)

Conducted by Patrick Burns and Accompanied by Emma Cutting

Date: Saturday September 10
Time: 7pm (Doors open 6:30pm)
Where: Phoenix Theatre,
101 Glen Huntly Rd, Elwood
Tickets: $25 (adults)
$20 (concession)
$15 (kids under 10 years)
Bookings: 0437 595 220, or monucs.committee@gmail.com

Graham Edmondson, MonUCS Honorary Life Member and co-founder of the Intervarsity Choral Festival, passed away last Sunday. A member of the Melbourne University Choral Society from 1944 until 1949, he, along with Colin Russell-Jones of Sydney University Musical Society were involved in the genesis of an idea of a joint concert between the two university choral societies, culminating in the first Intervarsity Choral Festival in 1949. The festival, now in its 62rd year, has enriched the lives of countless thousands of choristers, through singing, merriment and the formation of friendships and relationships between members of the university choirs from around Australia. More recently, he has been a feature at MonUCS rehearsals, with his cheeky grin never failing to impress the choristers. We will miss you Graham.
 

Graham’s daughter, JJ Edmondson has given the choir permission to publish the details of Graham’s funeral service below.
 
Funeral Details:

Date: 29 July 2011
Time: 10:30- 14:00
Location: Salvation Army Church
1 New Holland Drive
Cranbourne, Australia
(Followed by a light lunch at Clyde Fire Station)

Facebook Entry
 
Much of the information in this obituary came from an article by Graham in Erato 82, published on September 1998 and available here

Come join us at MonUCS’s as we celebrate Gilbert & Sullivan’s wit with a semi-staged concert of ‘H.M.S Pinafore’ on Saturday the 10th of September.

Rehearsals are on Tuesdays from 6:45 until 9:30 At the religious centre, Clayton campus. For directions see here.

Congratulations to everyone who were ‘Livin’ in the ’70s’ last Saturday, it was a exceptional concert, and with an exceptional response from the audience. We were left with only two more tickets to sell.

Particular thanks needs to be given to these people:

Committee Staff
Front of House Staff – Alex Lewis, Chas Dean, Sarah Rathjen, Jess Heard
Kitchen and Bar Staff – Trae Emery, Clare Hughes, Michael Kurtanjek
Backstage Crew – Daniel Smith and Simon Singer (Sound and Lights)
Musical Staff – Pat Burns (Music Director), Joseph Vu (Director, Busking) and Emma Cutting (Accompanist)

We’ll be back in the next two weeks for the our next performance of HMS Pinafore, which will be on 10th September 2011. Until then, cya!

Nostalgic for times since past? Longing to feel a little groovy again? Join MonUCS as we step away from our more traditional choral roots to embrace the music from the age of lava lamps, platform shoes and fondue.

On Saturday, May 28th at Hampton Community Centre we present Livin’ in the 70’s, an evening spectacular filled with the music you’ve known and love. Bring yourself, your friends and your whole family and experience classic tracks such as Queen’s ‘Somebody to Love’, John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’ and the hits from Grease in a format you may not have heard before. We’re sure we will have you on your feet dancing in the end.

Seating will be at tables and we invite you to bring dinner to enjoy with the show. Light snacks and drinks including beer and wine will also be available for purchase. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for children and concession and $10 for Monash University students who can present an MSA card. Children under 10 receive free entry.

Concert conducted by Patrick Burns.

WHERE: Hampton Community Centre,
14 Willis Street,
Hampton

WHEN: Saturday, May 28th starting at 7pm.

TICKETS: $20 adult
$15 child/concession
$10 Monash Uni MSA card holders
Children under 10 free

BOOKINGS AND ENQUIRIES: 0437 595 220
committee@monucs.aicsa.org.au

Come and join us in celebrating the music of the 70′s.

On May 28th MonUCS will be presenting a concert of choral arrangements of popular 70′s songs with a dash of Mo Town and gospel thrown in. If you like singing Queen’s ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ and ‘Somebody to Love’ or John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’ then this choir is for you.

Rehearsals occur every Tuesday night between 6:45 and 9:30 in the Religious Center, Monash Clayton.

Join the Monash University Choral Society, Victoria Chorale and the Preston Symphony Orchestra as we present:

Francis Poulenc’s Gloria and
Frederick Delius’ Appalachia

Joined by renowned soprano, Rosamund Illing, this is a concert not to be missed.

2:30pm Sunday April 3rd
Preston Town Hall
411 High Street,
Preston, Victoria
Tickets: $20 (adult) /$10 (concession)
Bookings: 0437 595 220, or email: committee@monucs.aicsa.org.au