Twenty Years of Choral Connection

... and counting!


In 2003, five of us from a very large choir wanted the experience of singing in a more intimate musical setting.

We began meeting in an old, cold, church hall with a poorly tuned piano. It was so intimate that one of our 10 choir members brought her 6-week-old daughter to rehearsals. 

Our first musical director and one of 10 choir members, Tim Smetham offered to lead us until we found a permanent director.  We approached Paul Holley and managed to convince him that it was an attractive offer. Paul directed us for 6 years.

Over the past 20 plus years, we have benefitted from the musical guidance of several gifted conductors. Their leadership has helped us develop as a choir, in terms of both musicianship and our enjoyment of making music together.

We wish to acknowledge with gratitude our inspirational conductors:
  • Tim Smetham
  • Paul Holley
  • Peter Ingram
  • Aleta King
  • Ian Knowles
  • Katherine Chan
  • Kylie Los
  • Astrid Jorgensen
  • Rosemary Oxenford
  • Will Brown

Is it perhaps true that we have provided a springboard for the brilliant careers of our musical directors? It is certainly the case that both Paul Holley and Astrid Jorgensen were awarded Australia Day Honours not long after directing us. Coincidence? Perhaps not …

Choral Connection has been most fortunate to have been accompanied by outstanding musicians who not only play the piano with great skill and grace, but who also guide us with subtle (and occasionally not so subtle) facial expressions.

We sincerely thank our talented accompanists:
  • Kylie Los
  • Mitchell Leigh
  • Sarah McDonald
  • Brendan Murtagh
  • Michael Allport
  • Kerry Nian
  • John Woods
  • Kristie Sipec
  • Dave Mibus
  • Kate Littlewood
  • Brett Sturdy
  • Dominic Schwantes

We have, for the most part, consistently performed concerts three times each year – a total of more than sixty concert programs! The only exception was during the depths of the Covid pandemic when face-to-face rehearsal and concert performances were not possible. However even then we kept the joy of singing alive, with on-line rehearsals and our lockdown project “Dona Nobis Pacem”.

The choir has also engaged in a range of further community involvements including carol singing at hospitals; collaborating with other choirs and orchestras including major performances such as the St Matthew Passion (with Amatori in 2017) and the Queensland Conservatorium Orchestra performance of Mahler 8 in 2018; commemoration of the 100th anniversary of Gallipoli; concerts from scratch; and on one occasion singing live on ABC radio. Sharing music with an audience in a variety of settings is one of the great rewards that members of Choral Connection have enjoyed.

Many people have sung with us over the years. We continue to enjoy making new musical friendships, developing musical skills and rising to new challenges. One thing that has never changed is the joy of making music and the sense of connection that we have with the music and each other.

Choral Connection is a name that perfectly reflects the ethos of our choir. We share a sense of connectedness in making and sharing music together that has held the choir together over the past two decades. Singing together regularly connects us musically, socially, and emotionally, making choir rehearsals a weekly highlight and each concert the happy culmination of a shared creative effort.