It started in 2005 with the challenge to the local
men of Coonamble to join with the boys from the
Regional Choir to present the Coonamble Jubilee song and
commissioned works by Paul Jarman and Michelle Leonard
for the Sesqui centenary of Coonamble celebrations.
The Coonamble Jubilee song has become a fun staple of
the repertoire and the men from the
Songs in the Key of Bloke
have grown in confidence and skill and now join in the
Moorambilla Festival with the Boys choir and the men
from the Leichhardt Espresso Chorus to sing specially
written works that reflect their experiences and the
region. The Moorambilla Suite 2006 by Dan Walker was the
result. They also make the occasional television
appearance – to be confirmed!
In 2007, with the festival focus on women and girls, the
Coonamble area women formed the group Songs
in the Key of She.
They also shared in the stories that were used to create
the Moorambilla Suite 2007 by Dan Walker, singing with
the Regional Girls Choir and the women from Leichhardt
Espresso Chorus at the Moorambilla Festival. Watch out
for their television appearance later in the year!
The Hots Flats,
under the direction of Katie Sinclair, are a 25 strong
SATB mixed choir who meet regularly at the pub at
Nevertire to rehearse. Members come from the surrounding
towns of Trangie, Warren and Nyngan and sometimes even
Dubbo. They have presented several local concerts /
soirees and are building their repertoire and skills
into a fine regional choir. They will be performing at
the Moorambilla Festival this year.
Michelle Leonard works as frequently as possible with
these groups, conducting rehearsals and workshop and
mentoring the leaders of the groups. The Leichhardt
Espresso Chorus hosted several singers from Coonamble
last year as part of the Carols of Norton concert and
the sister relationship that has developed between
Leichhardt and Coonamble continues to provide further
performance opportunities in Sydney for the regional
group.
If you would like further information about these groups
or find out how to join in please complete this form:
