Tuesday April 23rd An early breakfast in our Albert hostel led us to the Australian National Memorial for a full day of rehearsals with the army band. These rigorous sessions are run to a tight schedule. Song times are checked and rechecked, sound levels are set and official protocols are rehearsed repeatedly! We were provided... Continue Reading →
Monday 22 April 2019 Today’s blog was written by BBV chorister, Isabel Matthews, and Blokes chorister, Cameron Bryer, to give a fresh perspective on the days events in the lead up to Anzac Day Commemorations. *** We began the day by visiting Lochnagar crater, a large hole left in the country side by a bomb... Continue Reading →
Our choristers' last official day of tour began with a special surprise for their conductor and Voices of Birralee's Artistic Director and Founder, Julie Christiansen OAM. Julie was led to Amiens Cathedral where the choir sang Notre Pere, a beautiful gift resonating throughout the cathedral, which Julie described as "soul filling, sublime and tranquil". Soon after,... Continue Reading →
Day 9 (Friday) was such a wonderful day for our choristers, and we are all looking forward to tomorrow, where we will perform at the commemoration service for the Battle of Pozieres. Those at home can can watch the service on ABC 24 at midnight (12am, Sunday 24 July) with the programme, Australia Remembers: Pozieres Centenary Commemorations. Today began... Continue Reading →
On this tour, we are getting very good at packing as much into our days as possible! Having arrived in Amiens yesterday, we took the morning to explore this picturesque town, with such evidence of its ongoing appreciation for Australia's efforts 100 years' ago! Matthew and Fiona visited the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of... Continue Reading →
Day five was massive! Our Western Front Centenary Choir choristers woke early to arrive to a full day's rehearsal at Pheasant Wood Cemetery, Fromelles. It was a rather hot day (even for us Aussies!) but an interesting day as the choir watched how the service was coming together, orchestrated by the Department of Veterans' Affairs. Our... Continue Reading →
Day four was busy, marked by two rehearsals, one at VC Corner, and the second at Pheasant Wood Cemetery. Our choristers did a remarkable job singing with the Australian Army Band, while being amazed at how the events are coming together, with everyone's role to play in making the services a success. The services in Fromelles;... Continue Reading →
We're really getting into the swing of this travelling-thing now, spending the day with more sight-seeing, while helping the French economy along with purchases. This is a great video from one of our photographers in residence, Tony, taken in the days prior to the choir meeting up! How many bakery goods is too many bakery... Continue Reading →
We have just left Paris for phase two of our journey - everyone is excited and looking forward to arriving into Bullecourt for the first formal rehearsal of the tour. We are heading for the Australian Digger Memorial to rehearse for the Anzac Day afternoon service at Bullecourt. Whilst the choir is looking forward to... Continue Reading →
