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Willoughby Symphony Choir is widely recognised as the region's finest community choir. Our choir exists under the auspices of Willoughby City Council and is partnered with the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra with whom we perform regularly. Our repertoire comprises mainly classical works: oratorios, masses, requiems, operatic and symphonic works. As well as large-scale choral works, the Choir also performs a cappella and popular music.

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Our Next Major Concert

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Get your tickets HERE

First performed in 1801, The Seasons is in four parts. We experience the glories of the countryside through Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter including a summer storm, hunting episodes, daybreak, winter fog, peasant dances and even frogs croaking. One of the greatest works of the century, this large-scale oratorio features a talented orchestra, choir and three soloists, with recitatives, arias, choruses and ensemble sections.

This performance will feature a special new translation by Paul McCreesh, the Artistic Director of the Gabrieli Consort & Players. Don’t miss it!

The Concourse

Sunday 6 May, 2pm

 

 

 

 
Review by Pacific Opera of our performance of The Messiah on 27 November 2017.
 
Peter Ellis conducted the Willoughby Symphony Choir and Orchestra & Pacific Opera Artists in a wonderful and buoyant Messiah... celebrating the 275th birthday of this remarkable composition and the 85th birthday of the Killara Music Club. Also remarkable was there were parts that I don't remember hearing live before. 
The Choir sang with gusto and oozed excitement, performing very well with some brisk tempos set by the Maestro. The Orchestra, led by David Saffir, played with equally matched energy, and with the exception of an over zealous timpanist, were well balanced throughout the 3 hours of the performance. I must acknowledge the wonderful playing by principal cellist, trumpet and harpsicord.
Now to the Pacific Opera Soloists: Daniela Lesk & Barbara Jin who are both current YA, and Michael Gioiello & Jared Lillehagen who have both worked with PO on numerous productions over the past 5 years. All of our soloist sang very well. It was a joy to hear the young talent tackling what can be very vocally demanding arias. There were some particulately wonderful moments by all, and some joyful new ornaments... always nice to put your own spin on things.
Read Lynne Lancaster's full review in the Sydney Arts Guide, of our Elijah concert in The Concourse in 2016

This spectacular, magnificent performance of Mendelssohn’s ELIJAH almost lifted the roof off and set the concert hall at the Concourse alight. Under the enthusiastic, energetic baton of Maestro Peter Ellis Willoughby Symphony and Willoughby Choir combined for a thrilling oratorio. It was at times rather overwhelming...

The Choir, a major participant as prophets of Baal, the assorted rabble and more, surged and swelled thunderously at various points with terrific, electric timing and phrasing, as led by Ellis. There was a consistent round full sound with nuanced shading. The Willoughby Symphony Choir was able to provide a delightful mixed double quartet and a high quality angelic trio. The prayers to Baal choruses vibrantly rang out and the following capture and slaying of the false priests was tumultuous and threatening. When they begged for rain we could feel their distress and the shimmering yet dull atmospheric brass, and iron as written in the lyrics.

This was a very exciting concert that, at times, gave me goosebumps.

Lynne Lancaster

Sydney Arts Guide

 

Sing with us!  

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Welcome to Willoughby Symphony Choir, founded in 1973 and one of Australia's finest community choirs. You will have a very enjoyable time singing and making fine music with us! 

If you would like to sing with Willoughby Symphony Choir, please click here on Join Us for more information and an on-line form where you can apply for an audition. 

 

Other concerts with Willoughby Symphony

 

This website has a link to The Concourse where you will find full details of the Willoughby Symphony 2018 concert series, Soaring Spirit. 

F L I G H T

Flight concert

The Willoughby Symphony’s 2018 Composer-in-Residence Nigel Westlake features as composer and conductor in our second subscription concert, FLIGHT.

This concert opens with uplifting music from Nigel’s evocative and beautiful score for the film Paper Planes and his extraordinary work, Antarctica, for solo guitar and orchestra, will receive a compelling interpretation by the brilliant young Australian guitarist Andrew Blanch.

In the concert’s second half, Willoughby Symphony Choir Master Peter Ellis has selected two gorgeous works for choir by Ralph Vaughan Williams. Featuring the brilliant Willoughby Symphony Choir and the full glory of the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra, both compositions will not fail to stir intense emotion.

The Concourse

Saturday 24 March, 7pm
Sunday 25 March, 2pm

WSC Christmas CD:

Joyful & Triumphant 

Willoughby Symphony Choir and Orchestra Christmas CD will make a wonderful Christmas gift. Its 15 tracks comprise traditional and Australian carols as well as special Christmas music, highlighted by Vaughan Williams' Fantasia on Christmas Carols. An 18-page booklet is enclosed, full of details about the delightful music and the choir and performers.
This CD is only $20 plus postage. Buy it HERE.

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