Fashion Stakes were high at the Esk Race Meeting 21 Dec 2013

Bus loads converged early along with race day regulars and contingents of Social Groups who had chosen the location and occasion to celebrate their upcoming Yuletide R 'n R. It seemed apparent that everybody who was anybody in Esk, including Santa Claus, was out in the midday sun on Saturday December 21st. In spite of the hot and humid conditions and with large doses of Christmas cheer and a pockets full of pennies to spread around, many of them had made their way to the Esk Racetrack for the final country race meeting for 2013. To kick-start a very special day with a time honoured tradition, Esk's RSL paid tribute to the Armed Forces, Servicemen and women both past and present, this climaxed with a goose-bump rendition of a blending of sounds of The Last Post with the iconic notes of Waltzing Matilda.

Representing The Australian Lighthorse

Also again in 2013, adding another layer to the already festive atmosphere, THE ESK COMMUNITY CHOIR were there at various locations around the concourse singing their selection of Yuletide Carols while the punters toted their takings and pondered the Bookies blackboards between races.

ECC Ensemble Carolling at the Esk Races Luncheon

The talents of the members of the Esk Community Choir did not stop at their singing for they also kept the hungry at bay with a continuous supply of delicious bovine burgers from the BBQ as racegoers recharged or relaxed in the shade of the large leafy trees... entertainment, tucker and succour amid the swelling crowds and from that hot December sun.

Multi-Talented members of the Esk Community Choir cook up a 'mean bbq'

Christmas is a time of celebration for many reasons and to-each-his-own. But whatever to each Christmas is about, it is a time when there is undeniably always the presence of singing. On this occasion it was Kathleen who, with Margaret at the keyboard, led the Choir in song to the appreciative throng at the Esk Race Meeting. It is this gift of their 'service in song' that Alexis and her Choir have been giving for 35 years and with an already growing bumper crop of calendar dates earmarked for 2014, they look forward to celebrating with their growing band of friends and followers another wonderfully musical year.

by: Sue Walker

Charlie Elwell - President of the Esk RSL sub Branch opening the Race Meeting

Mayor Graeme Lehmann with grandson Connor and Kathleen Watts

Nola Niemeyer keeping cool

Robyn Bagster - Never let a good time pass you by.

The Chaps struggling to keep up with the 'fast paced' women of the ECC

Sue and Roland Cox - Keeping the sausages and steaks moving.

Sue and Jan taking a Very Short break between singing and serving.

MUSIC AND LOTS OF CHRISTMAS CHEER AT 'ALKIRA'

The Esk Community Choir Ensemble with Kathleen Watts leading 'When You're Smiling'

Alkira! It is a word from the Aboriginal language meaning 'a bright and sunny place'. One of life's greatest accomplishments is to become old and it is inevitable if one happens to live long enough. For many Somerset locals who have, Toogoolawah's 'Alkira' is that happy place in the sun they now call home, and on December 17th, when the ESK COMMUNITY CHOIR came to visit and spread some of the delights of the Season at the Aged Care facility's Christmas Concer, 'Alkira' surely lived up to its name.


Together with the kind and ever attentive staff, families' members and friends, the Recreation Room was filled to capacity with residents whose faces lit up on a par with their Christmas clobber and the joyous sounds of familiar Christmas Carols, the songs of the season which have become a part of the language of their memories. Though never far away when it comes to her choir, but with a full calendar in the lead-up to Christmas, Alexis's position at the Choir helm was very capably filled this day by Kathleen Watts. Kathleen, together with the ever-capable Margaret at piano, issued her directive for many smiles and lots of joyful singing, neither difficult to deliver in front of such a receptive and appreciative audience. A couple of sing-a-longs and many well loved Christmas Carols from the Choir were interspersed with beautiful solos from Kathleen, Christine, Carolyn and Susie and from Robyn and Jan, a Couple of Swells complete with costume, who performed a duet delivered with humour and style, a reminder of the theatrics of old Vaudeville.

'A Couple of Swells', Jan Jennings and Robyn Bagster hamming it up.

Sue Walker singing ' Orange Coloured Sky'

Carolyn King - 'Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire'

The sharing of gifts is so much a part of what Christmas time is about and for the Esk Community Choir to have been able to give the gift of their friendship and their music to those at Alkira, whose enjoyment of it was tangible, was truly a gift in return. The Choir looks forward to the giving of more of the same at future events.


by: Sue Walker

A CHRISTMAS CHORAL FEAST AT THE VARIETY CONCERT IN ESK:

The Combined Choirs under the baton of Paul Coppens

On the 8th December at Esk's Somerset Civic Centre there were, blessedly, no koels[1] chortling the prequel to Queensland's summer storms but anyone in the vicinity of Esk's Somerset Civic Centre would have been left in no doubt that summer and the season of Christmas had definitely arrived.   This little black bird will let all know of the impending passion in the sky. The capacity audience at the Esk Community Choir's 23rd Christmas Variety Concert certainly felt it on the ground.

People meandered in lazy curves around the Foyer of the Somerset Civic Centre pondering treats from the Choir's Christmas Craft Stall.  They purchased their tickets for the myriad of raffle prizes on offer.  They collected their Lucky Door Prize tokens for that fabulous family day at Australia Zoo.   Then at 2.10pm the main doors were opened and like bargain hunters on Boxing Day, the auditorium began to fill.

It seems the talents of some of the Esk Community Choir are not simply limited to the sounds of their voices as the fledgling orchestra of 4 played a majestic rendition of the Australian National Anthem.  This was a prelude to the tribute to two of the great composers, Verdi and Handel, by the combined voices of the Esk Community Choir and their guest Choirs, the Blackbutt Singers, Vocal Mayhem and the Buderim Male Choir.  Their performances of the uplifting Anvil Chorus, the passion of the Chorus of Jewish Slaves and the buoyancy of Handel's Sing for Joy delivered a portent of some thrilling sounds to follow.

Esk State Primary School Choir with Mr Adam Smith

Is there nothing more endearing than the sparkle of children at Christmas and Adam Smith's talented School Orchestra and his enthusiastic Junior Choir with choristers as young as 4 and 5 years were a measure of the enjoyment of music encouraged in children of all ages at the Esk State School.    The Semitones' brilliant solos,  trios and ensemble singing of excerpts from 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang', complete with Flying Car, were truly, truly scrumptious and they lived up to their reputation as talented little 6 to 11 year olds whose performances  have and will continue to tug at the heart strings of audiences young and old.

The Semitones - Truly Scrumptious

The Esk Community Choir's Men's Chorus delivered Lily's Eyes with the depth of feeling this beautiful song evokes.  Ring the Bells chimed out the joys of the Season and the Choir's mellifluous rendition of Gounod's Sanctus was sure to have resulted in goose bumps both on and off the stage...this piece voted by the Choir as 'their all time favourite'.

Blackbutt Singers with Vocal Mayhem

Judy Lawrence's 'Blackbutt Singers', with the confidence of a choir whose singing talents have been honed over its 22 years, expressed the joy of Christmas in vibrant music and song. The Esk Community Choir were privileged to be invited to The Blackbutt Singers' own 'Sing Songs of Joy at Christmas'  Concert held the previous Sunday in Blackbutt,  forging further the friendship that has existed between the two Choirs over many years. 

The Buderim Male Singers under the baton of Paul Coppens

The Buderim Male Singers, now under the baton of Paul Coppens and in the tradition of the Choral exchanges that have existed between Esk and the Buderim men over  time, made their way in turn this year to the Somerset Region.  This superlative male Choir has been singing in the style of the classic Welsh male voices since their inception and will celebrate their 40 years as a Choir in 2014.  Their songs were and always inspirational.  

Vocal Mayhem  

Conducted by Jan Pritchard, the men's ensemble from Kingaroy, 'Vocal Mayhem', delivered with the chocolaty sounds of tenor and bass, the beautiful When You Say Nothing at All a performance that belied their name!

To have resident musicians with the calibre of the talent displayed by Alexis FitzGerald on piano and Courtney Oxenford on trumpet is truly a coup for the Somerset region.  

Courtney and Alexis performed an unforgettable 1st Movement of Joseph Haydn's Trumpet Concerto to the thrill of all who were present. Courtney, who has been moulding her musical career thus far in Tasmania, will be returning to Queensland in 2014 to complete her Honours in music.  Look forward to more of the same!!!

It is with huge gratitude that the Esk Community Choir acknowledges the generosity of both the Esk State School and the Lowood High School for the use of their Choir risers which allowed the showcasing of so many Choristers, almost 90, with the greatest impact for the audience and efficiency for their Conductors.

There is truly something magical that happens when a group of individuals sing together, making music so much greater than the sum of its parts.  This was the inspiration behind the invitation to the guest Choirs who came to perform individually as well as in combination with the Esk Community Choir for the finalé of glorious soul-stirring songs bringing the true meaning of Christmas to the audience, and magic was made. All stood, as tradition states, for the Hallelujah Chorus.   Grateful thanks must go to Margaret Philp, accompanist extraordinaire and a shining example of talent and dedication, to Alexis FitzGerald whose love of music and Choir knows no bounds and to emcee de jour, Roger Woodman who, at short notice, did a brilliant job of keeping the show on the road.  

A tribute to a great man, Nelson Mandela, was the combined Choirs' impromptu final performance when they sang the lilting rhythms of the great South African freedom song,   Siyahamba.   With uplifted hearts, a heightened appreciation of Choral music and the sounds of Christmas still resonating in their souls, the audience departed.    

by Susan Walker

[1] Migratory Cuckoo of northern and eastern Australian coastal areas and island to the north.  Has a distinctive 'cooee' call.

Esk Community Choir - Bass and Tenor sections  - 'Lilly's Eyes" from the Broadway Musical
The Secret Garden

Lorraine accepting the Lucky Door Prize - A Family pass
to Australia Zoo. Presented by Kathleen Watts

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[1] Migratory Cuckoo of northern and eastern Australian coastal areas and island to the north.  Has a distinctive 'cooee' call.