2024

SATURDAY 24 AUGUST 7:30PM ELDER HALL

EIN DEUTSCHES REQUIEM - “A GERMAN REQUIEM”

The loss of his dear friend, the composer Robert Schumann, followed all too quickly by the death of his own mother, led Johannes Brahms to write this immensely beautiful work as a deep response to sorrow.

Using biblical texts rather than the traditional Latin mass, Brahms composed ti "to comfort those who are left behind", meditating on the sense of loss, the beauties of heaven and the triumph of life over death.

So may we take comfort at a time when war and division shatter ideas of hope, belonging and peace.

Come and experience this moving Requiem sung by a choir of nearly 80 voices, with two brilliant Adelaide pianists, Nerissa Pearce and Jamie Cock, as accompanists.

The work includes solos by Jeremy Tatchell (baritone) and Emma Borgas (soprano).

JOHANNES bRAHM’S MASTERPIECE (SUNG IN GERMAN)

SUNDAY 5 MAY WESLEY UNITING CHURCH KENT TOWN

“AUTUMN REFLECTIONS”

The changing of the seasons inspires a concert designed to have us pause and reflect with music that brings warmth, joy and happiness amid sadness.

The program includes Morley’s lively English madrigal Now is the Month of Maying, the Portuguese Galician folk song Pase el Agua, Josquin des Prez’s O Salutaris Hostia, versions of Ave Verum Corpus from Stopford and Elgar, Percy Grainger’s Irish Tune from County Derry, and a traditional Irish blessing set to music by James E. Moore Jr.

New to the choir’s repertoire are recent songs by American composers Eric Whitacre (Sing Gently) and Z. Randall Stroope (Prelude to Peace).

Choral favourites include Faure’s uplifting Cantique de Jean Racine, Bruckner’s Locus Iste, Berlioz’s The Shepherds’ Farewell, and two versions of Sure on this Shining Night, by Barber and Lauridsen.

The chorus, directed by Aldis Sils, will be accompanied by Nerissa Pearce on piano. 

The ticket price includes a complimentary printed program.  Please join us after the concert for refreshments in the adjacent church hall.

2023

“You’ll Never Walk Alone” Sunday December 3, 3pm Latvian Hall 4 Clark St. Wayville Beautiful choral arrangements of music theatre classics

Our concert of Music Theatre classics: “You’ll Never Walk Alone” was a great success with a large audience of all age groups giving warm applause for these favourites. Thanks to everyone who contributed to making this such a successful event.

A number of choir members sang excerpts as solos which added to the enjoyment of the music.

Guest Soloist: Tenor Noah Byrne sang two classic numbers by Stephen Sondheim and the moving “Empty Chairs and Empty Tables” from Les Misérables

Big Sing McLaren Vale - The Creation (Haydn) - Tatachilla, 24 September 2023
Music Director: Graham Abbott
Soprano: Ruth Blythman
Tenor: Robert MacFarlane
Bass: Pelham Andrews

The performance of “The Creation” was a great success with the combination of the brilliant soloists, powerful orchestra and the inspired conducting of Graham Abbott thrilling the large audience and us choristers.

Saturday 20 May

Coronation Anthems (Handel) and Handel Choruses Elder Hall

The pipe organ, enhanced by brass and timpani, joined the Adelaide Philharmonia Chorus, back to full strength, for a concert which, transcending its regal origins, was a celebration of the glory of music. The Coronation Anthems are a collection of works that we wanted to perform again. They move through a remarkable range of emotions - reverent, sensual, celebratory and triumphant. Zadok the Priest gets most of the glory from this collection. The concert was extended with some of Handel’s choruses from opera and oratorios. Between the jubilant Hallelujahs there was a variety of baroque styles: from heroic praise to heartfelt love.

Organ - Josh van Konkelenberg
Timpani - Andrew Wiering
Trumpets - Geoff Bradley, Hendry Bradley, Tim Frahn

2022

Saturday 17 December

Stella Natalis (Jenkins), Christmas in A New World (Uģis Prauliņš) St Peter’s Cathedral
Jessica Dean (Soprano) & Marryatville High School Chamber Choir, with instrumental ensemble

Stella Natalis (star of birth’, ‘star of origin’) is a work in twelve movements celebrating aspects of Christmastide - winter, the sleeping child, tidings of peace, thanksgiving. Drawing on a broad palette of inspiration, including the Old Testament, Zulu text and reference to Hindu gods, with lyrics by Carol Barratt, the work conveys the Christmas message of goodwill, compassion and a new beginning. Scored for trumpet, keyboards, percussion and string orchestra. A second chorus of children’s voices (Marryatville HS Chamber Choir) introduces Jenkin’ signature edgy tribal vocals.

Christmas in the New World combines Latvian pagan and Christian Christmas traditions. Scored for choir, three soloists, string and percussion, the six movements celebrate aspects of the Winter solstice festival, including snow-covered fields, quirky superstitions, the long wait for the return of spring, and dressing up in costume to join the Mummers in their dancing and feasting. The instrumental parts create a unique atmosphere for each movement. Lyrics are based on ancient folk song texts, and much of the music has been inspired by traditional folk songs.

Sunday 4 September 2022

“Northern Lights”

Choral music by contemporary composers from Northern Europe, inspired by the beauty of the lands where the aurora borealis lights the winter sky was celebrated in this lively concert. There was music from Lapland, Estonia and Latvia, together with featured works by the Norwegian composer Ola Gjello. This music, sung both a capella and with accompaniment by string ensemble, was full of gorgeous melody and rich harmony. In response to the political tensions in Ukraine, we sang “A Prayer for Ukraine”, recently composed by celebrated English composer John Rutter.

Conductor: Aldis Sils, Pianist: Daniel Chieng, String Ensemble: Julia Brittain, Holy Bennet, Natalie Maegrath, Joseph Free

Guest artists: SLAVA Ukrainians in Adelaide Choir whose repertoire included folk, traditional and contemporary Ukrainian songs. $1090 was raised for the ETOC refugee charity.

2021

On Saturday 25 September we were part of the performance of Verdi Requiem, in Adelaide Town Hall with the Adelaide Youth Orchestra. Despite the limitation of wearing masks for the performance, the mighty music of Verdi and the enthusiasm and prowess of our singers conquered all!"

Sunday 19 September 2021

Despite the barriers that COVID-19 has thrown up, many of our intrepid members joined the Adelaide Youth Orchestra conducted by Keith Crellin OAM for a performance of the mighty Verdi Requiem, with soloists Teresa La Rocca, Emma Woelhe, Mark Oates and Pelham Andrews, and a massed choir under the auspices of “The Big Sing”. The performance on Sunday 19 September at Tatachilla Lutheran College was a thrilling experience for singers, players and audience.

Saturday 22 May 2021

Solace and Light
Requiem - John Rutter
Requiem - Gabriel Fauré

Conductor: Aldis Sils
Soloists: Emma Borgas (Soprano) Corin Bone (Baritone)
Instrumentalists:
David Heah - Organ
Jenny Hu - Flute
Charles Klein - Oboe
Jack Overall - Cello
Nerissa Pearce - Keyboard
Guest Artists: Marryatville High School Concert Choir

2019

Saturday 9 November 2019

The Chorus sung Johann Sebastian Bach’s festive masterpiece, Christmas Oratorio at Elder Hall on Saturday 9 November at 7.30pm. The concert feature musicians from the Adelaide Concert Orchestra and organist Peter Kelsall.

Soloists: Rosalind Martin, Roslyn Lock, Robert Macfarlane, Jeremy Tatchell and Mary Tatchell

Sunday 11 August 2019

The Adelaide Philharmonia Chorus performed two of the 20th century’s great folk masses, 'Misa Criolla' and 'Missa Luba', at Elder Hall on Sunday 11 August at 2.30pm.

Soloists: Nicholas Lock, Andrew Turner and BJ Moore

Tuesday 9 April 2019
Adelaide Philharmonia Chorus performed with Capella St. Crucis (Hannover) at 7.30 pm, Adelaide Town Hall
Each choir sang their own 6-piece program, and the combined choirs performed two uplifting pieces – Ešenvalds’ My Song and Rheinberger’s Abendlied.

2018

Nelson Mass by Haydn & Mass in G by Schubert
Saturday 14 April
Elder Hall at 7.30 pm
Conductor: Aldis Sils

Soloists: Bethany Hill, Charlotte Kelso, Jiacheng Ding, Alex Roose - Bass
Pianist - Nerissa Pearce
Trumpets - Carly Cameron, Robin Finlay, David Khafagi
Timpani - Andrew Wiering

The Music of Karl Jenkins
Sunday 29 July
UKARIA Cultural Centre, Mt. Barker at 2.00 pm
Conductor: Aldis Sils

Violin: Alison Heike and Holly Bennett
Viola: Natalie Maegraith
Cello: Tom Marlin
Double Bass: Harley Gray
Trumpet: Geoff Bradley
Flute 1: Linda Pirie
Flute 2/Piccolo: Lydia Sharrad
Clarinet: Damien Hurn
Percussion: Simon Varga and Andrew Penrose
Piano: Nerisssa Pearce

Sounds of Latvia: Celebrating 100 years of Latvian Independence
Elder Hall at 7.00 pm
Conductor: Aldis Sils

Soloists: Bethany Hill and Alex Roose
Organ - Matthew Atherton
Trumpet - David Khafagi
Flute - Lydia Sharrad
Percussion - Andrew Wiering
Piano - Nerissa Pearce
Marryatville High School Symphony Orchestra

2017

Carmina Burana
Saturday April 8
Elder Hall at 7.30 pm
Conductor: Aldis Sils
Soloists: Joanna McWaters, Robert Macfarlane & Warwick Fyfe
Pianists: Nerissa Pearce & Mat Binion
Special guests: Marryatville High School Chamber Choir

Vivaldi & Bach
Sunday August 6
UKARIA Cultural Centre at 2.00 pm

Vivaldi - Gloria
Bach - Jesu Meine Freude (excerpts), Jesu Bleibet Meine Freude & (Again) Come Sweet Death
Conducted by Aldis Sils
Marryatville High School Baroque Ensemble directed by Katrina Brown

Handel Belshazzar
Saturday November 11
Elder Hall at 7.30 pm

Guest conductor: Graham Abbott
Belshazzar: Robert Macfarlane
Nitocris: Kate Macfarlane
Cyrus: Sally-Anne Russell
Daniel: Matthew Rutty
Gobrias: Jeremy Tatchell

2016

Coronation Anthems
Saturday April 9
Elder Hall at 7.30 pm
Guest conductor: Graham Abbott
Choruses from Handel oratorios conducted by Aldis Sils
Joshua van Konkelenberg, Handel's Organ Concerto HWV. 294 (Op. 4 No. 6)

Schubert in the Hills
Schubert's Deutsche Messe and Mass No. 2 in G Major
Sunday June 5
St Michael's Lutheran Church Hall, Balhannah Rd, Hahndorf at 2.00 pm
Conductor: Aldis Sils
Piano accompaniment: Nerissa Pearce

Petite Messe Solennelle by Rossini
Saturday November 26
St Peter's Cathedral at 7.30 pm
Conductor: Aldis Sils
Soloists: Rosalind Martin, Guila Tiver, Branko Lovrinov, Keith Hempton
Harmonium: Leonie Hempton. Pianos: Nerissa Pearce, Matthew Binion

2015

ASO Last Night of the Proms
Fri March 27 & Sat March 28
7.30 pm Adelaide Festival Theatre
Soloist: Greta Bradman
Conductor: Guy Noble

Soundstream Collective
Thurs April 16, 6.30 pm
Samstag Museum, North Tce

Winter Song
Sat June 13 at 7.30 pm
Elder Hall, North Tce, Adelaide
John Rutter When Icicles Hang, Fauré Requiem
Soloists: Louisa Perfect & Timothy Marks
Conductor: Aldis Sils

Celebrate! The Music of Karl Jenkins
Sun Aug 16 at 2.30 pm
Christ Church, North Adelaide
Conductor: Aldis Sils

Messiah
Fri Nov 20 at 7.30 pm
St Peter's Cathedral, North Adelaide
Soloists: Greta Bradman, Matthew Rutty, Branko Lovrinov, Lachlan Scott
Conductor: Aldis Sils
Organ: Joshua van Konkeleberg

2014

2013

Music for the Season
Saturday November 16, 2013
7.30pm
St Peter's Cathedral, North Adelaide

Soloists: Emma Borgas, Andy Mathison
Organist: Joshua van Konkelenberg
Piano: Jason Hammond
Conductor: Aldis Sils

With the Marryatville High School orchestra and choirs

Mozart Requiem
Saturday July 6, 2013
7.30pm
Elder Hall, North Terrace, Adelaide

Soprano: Louisa perfect
Mezzo-soprano: Guila Tiver
Tenor: Robert Macfarlane
Bass: Keith Hempton
Conductor: Aldis Sils

With pianist, Alexander Hanysz, and members of the Adelaide Art Orchestra

The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace
Wednesday April 24, 2013
7pm 
Elder Hall, North Terrace, Adelaide

Soprano: Emma Borgas
Mezzo-soprano: Bethany Ide
Tenor: Andrew Linn
Bass: Blake Parham
Conductor: Aldis Sils

Fauré Requiem
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Angaston Town Hall, Angaston,
Barossa Valley
2.30pm
Wednesday, 4 April, 2012
Elder Hall, North Terrace, Adelaide
7.30pm

With the Burnside Symphony Orchestra
Conductor: Aldis Sils
Soprano: Joanna McWaters
Baritone: Andrew Turner
Organist: Alexander Paine

2011

Stella Natalis 
by Karl Jenkins - Australian Premiere
Saturday, November 19, 2011
St Peter's Cathedral, North Adelaide
7.30pm

With the Marryatville High School orchestra and choirs
Conductor: Aldis Sils

Friendship Concert
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Elder Hall, North Tce, Adelaide
2.30pm

A collaboration with Ino Mixed Chorus, Japan.
Conductors: Aldis Sils & Michiko Mori

Duruflé Requiem
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Elder Hall, North Tce, Adelaide
2.30pm

Soprano: Greta Bradman
Organ: Joshua van Konkelenberg
Conductor: Aldis Sils

2010

For St Cecilia
Saturday November 13, 2010
St Peter's Cathedral
7.30pm

Organ: Peter Kelsall
Conductor: Aldis Sils

One Choir: Four Conductors
30th Anniversary Concert
Saturday, 19 June, 2010
Elder Hall, North Tce, Adelaide
7.30pm

With members of the Adelaide Art Orchestra
Soprano: Greta Bradman
Tenor: Robert Macfarlane
Conductors: Graham Abbott, Russell Larkin, Timothy Sexton and Aldis Sils

2009

A Philharmonia Christmas
Saturday, November 26, 2009
St Peter's Cathedral, North Adelaide
7.30pm

American Dreams
Sunday, 9 August, 2009
Grainger Studio, Hindley St, Adelaide
2.30pm

Music by Lauridsen, Bernstein, Copland and Barber.
Conductor: Aldis Sils

Handel's Messiah
7 April, 2009
Festival Theatre, Adelaide
8pm

As part of a massed choir with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra.
Conductor: Graham Abbott