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Singing in the Spring - The Sydney A Cappella Festival 2008

The Sydney A Cappella Association folded in 2002, and there hasn’t been a festival of a cappella (unaccompanied) singing since then. This year one very enthusiastic choir is hoping to inject new energy into the local scene reports the South Sydney Herald of August 2008.

The Cleftomaniacs, a choir that rehearses each week (on Wednesday evenings) at the South Sydney Uniting Church in Waterloo, has organised a broad and eclectic program of music – from choirs to quartets, high-energy gospel to contemporary and retro pop, blues and jazz, world, folk, classical and barbershop – for a festival in the Spring.

The Sydney A Cappella Festival 2008 will be held in the Sound Lounge at the Seymour Theatre Centre in Chippendale, September 10-13. According to choirmaster of the Cleftomaniacs, Gary Smith, the Festival promises “award-winning performers in an atmospheric, cabaret-style venue”.

Gary has been choirmaster of the Cleftomaniacs for over 10 years. He is Festival Director for the Spring event. “This Festival is much needed,” he says. “The Paddington Uniting Church was the focus for a lot of a cappella performances, but its Eastside Arts program has been suspended. We really needed to do something new.”

A cappella choir, Voices from the Vacant Lot, which also happens to rehearse at the South Sydney Uniting Church (every Thursday evening), is also taking part in the Festival. Choir member, Dinah McClelland, says: “I'm really looking forward to hearing the whole spectrum of a cappella, all in the one place – new songs, new arrangements.”

“The Festival is so rich in variety of styles and performers. Bel A Cappella is a fine music choir that has a large classical repertoire. The Australian Gaelic Choir with its traditional Scottish repertoire, Martinitsa's Bulgarian and eastern European songs, the barbershop sounds of Hot Shot & Accolade. Add to that pop, gospel, world music, jazz & original compositions, it’s an exciting mix.”

Contact Gary Smith, Festival Director, on 9716 8982.

Festival website: www.sydneyacappellafestival.com.au .

Photo: The Cleftomaniacs

Source: South Sydney Herald August 2008 www.southsydneyherald.com.au