Festival of Voices

If you’ve had your eye on artsHub recently, or if you’ve been strolling around Hobart, then you’ll know about that city’s Festival of Voices. The annual Festival begins this weekend, as far as the public is concerned. But having covered the Festival six years ago for a Tasmanian newspaper – and been so impressed that the following year I came back from Melbourne to be part of it all – I know that the performances are only part of the activity. Behind the scenes, throughout Tasmania and in other states, choirs have been getting ready for this best of annual jaunts – although the great thing is that you don’t have to be part of a group. That can happen after you arrive, depending on which aspect of singing you’d like to explore. You also don’t have to be a brilliant singer – although it’s amazing how good a well-rehearsed choir can sound! It’s impossible to ignore the Festival of Voices – but why would you want to? Events like “Singing in Public Places” draw the city of Hobart into the activity (and usually have the effect of boosting audiences for the evening concerts as well). The Hobart Twelve are charged with inspiring listeners as they make their way around Hobart landmarks, like the Market, Masonic Temple and Salamanca Arts Centre. But if you prefer your choir to stay in one place for a longer time, the hour-long Aperitivo Concert series will suit you. The lines between different genres of music tend to blur at the Festival – but, with such a celebration of the voice, does it really matter? Choirs from the WA Nightingale Chorale to the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Choir generally have a mixed repertoire, including some “classical” pieces. Melbourne-based choir the KeyTones reputedly add traditional African arrangements to the mix. And there’s always a chance you’ll fall in love with something you would otherwise never have heard. At my first experience of the Festival of Voices (in 2006) a children’s choir sang something so beautiful and haunting I tried for two years to track down a recording of it. (I found one, by Gondwana Voices). The song was Shackleton from Turn on the open sea, a song cycle by Australian Paul Jarman, which told the story of young men who had survived the famous Antarctic expedition with Ernest Shackleton, only to be sent to war on their return. Jarman, truly one of Australia’s great songwriters, will be at this year’s Festival, with Julie Christianson, presenting Young Australians Voices of Achievement, based on his songs recorded by ABC classics in 2005. It is music inspired by, written for and performed by young singers and promises to be a highlight of the Festival. Other great moments will be the (free) Festival Bonfire and Big Sing, which defies the wintry Hobart weather with a candlelight procession into Salamanca Place for a bonfire and song. Then of course the Finale Concert at Federation Concert Hall shows off the achievements of the various workshop participants and guest artists. The Festival is from 6-15 July and is well worth a trip to Hobart. For details of the many events go to www.festivalofvoices.com