The Junee Community Choir is preparing to step out of its comfort zone this Friday when it performs at Joyes Hall in the fourth choral section of Wagga’s annual eisteddfod.
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“We’ve been going for about three years now,” said Riverina Conservatorium tutor and choir director Fran Griffin.
This week, the choir will perform several songs from the 14th, 15th, and 18th Centuries, as well as some modern classics.
“We’ll do Moon Dance by Van Morrison, as well as some J.S. Bach, but we’ll be singing in English, Latin, German, and Spanish,” said Ms Griffin.
The choir frequently performs in languages ranging from Yorta Yorta to Latin, Spanish, and 16th Century English.
“Depending on the song it will take about three or four rehearsals to get it right and a few more to have it polished and ready to perform,” Ms Griffin said.
“Surprisingly the popular songs tend to take us longer to really get.”
During Friday’s performance, the 10-piece ensemble will be pit against the likes of the Wagga City Rugby Choir, Murrumbidgee Magic, the Cantilena Chamber Choir, and the Riverina Conservatorium Choir.
“This will be the highest pressure situation we’ve ever sung in,” said Ms Griffin.
“We are a new choir, so we’re not expecting to win anything but we want to sing our best and make a good impression.”
Choir member Judy Emberson is rather more confident.
“I think once they’ve heard us, they’ll want us,” Ms Emberson said.
The Junee choir has made itself known around town by performing each year during the Christmas on Broadway celebrations.
“We’d really love some more singers to join us for Christmas,” said Ms Griffin.
“You don’t have to read music and you don’t have to have a great voice, because that’s the whole thing about choirs, you sing as a group and you never hear the individual.”
