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Pure vocal bliss
By Susan Grigson
At the best of times, the calendar for a performing arts company is hard to pin down. Trying to juggle dates for overseas touring without leaving too many 'gaps', not to mention trying to meet the costs of international travel can be quite an art in itself for small companies. And so it is for The Song Company.
The Song Company was once described by a leading Danish newspaper as 'pure vocal bliss' and that line has stuck. This classically trained vocal ensemble specialises in a cappella music from the early Middle Ages right through to contemporary music, with special emphasis on new works by Australian composers.
Performing early music in Europe-its birthplace-is rather like selling ice to Eskimos. But, in recognition of the group's vocal achievements, invitations continue to flow in from prestigious festivals such as Dubrovnik, Dresden and Regensburg, Utrecht, and Flanders.
To celebrate its 20th anniversary year in Australia, The Song Company decided to showcase the idea of 'Song' through its vast range of repertoire, including a number of new works by three of Australia's major composers: Andrew Schultz' Song of Songs, Raffaele Marcellino's O Antiphons and, finishing off the year, the new Southern Cross Chants by Ross Edwards.
The vision behind the group is the work of long-standing Artistic Director, Roland Peelman. He researches, commissions and often arranges the music himself for around 120 performances a year. This includes concerts for children through the Musica-Viva-in-Schools program as well as a subscription series in Sydney and a number of major New South Wales regional cities including Newcastle, Bathurst and Wollongong.
The Song Company has toured overseas since 1997 assisted by the Australia Council and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. To support their operations they just received $450 000 for the 2005-07 triennial through the Australia Council's Music Board with an additional $10 000 grant to support international touring in 2003-04.
One of the highlights of the anniversary year was the launch of The Song Company Partnership Program-an innovative scheme developed with The Benevolent Society (New South Wales) and The Sydney Cancer Foundation. The program aims to provide workshops or dedicated performances to support fundraising events for these organisations. The Song Company dedicated their 2004 Christmas concerts to The Benevolent Society's Christmas toy appeal and audience members were encouraged to bring along a gift-wrapped toy to the concert.
In the words of Artistic Director, Roland Peelman, 'these partnerships are a good example of how we can build relationships with the local community.
'It keeps our feet on the ground and, amidst the frequent touring for largely anonymous audiences, reminds us of the work that still has to be done and the many bridges that remain to be built.'
The Song Company is a not for profit company with a core of seven full-time artists who have a strong commitment to commissioning and creating new works. For information on the company's 2005 season visit www.songcompany.com.au
Clive Birch (bass), Jo Burton (alto), Richard Black (tenor), Mark Donnelly (baritone), Nicole Thomson & Ruth Kilpatrick (sopranos), Roland Peelman (Artistic Director).
Photograph: Paul Henderson-Kelly