Diversity Week
Macquarie University Singers
Macquarie University Singers - Image by 'Fito'
The Macquarie University Singers (MUS) was established by the late John Gordon in 1967 to encourage the formation of strong links between Macquarie University and the wider community through singing. Membership is open to students, staff and members of the community.
In 2007 MUS celebrated its 40th year with performances of Brahms' German Requiem and a gala concert: And Gladly Sing, a panorama back to the 60s. 2007 also marked Margot McLaughlin's 21st year as MUS musical director.
In May 2008, MUS performed Josef Haydn's Paukenmesse and Gabriel Fauré's Requiem in the Macquarie Theatre on their new custom-made risers. The concert was a great success, and was Margot McLaughlin's final performance as musical director. MUS engaged guest conductor Timothy Chung, who on Nov 1st led a magnificent performance of Colours of the World. This concert featured music from around the world - opera choruses, folk song arrangements and traditional pieces.
Arguably the most successful MUS concert ever was their most recent: Beautiful Baroque, in May 2009, featuring JS Bach's Magnificat in D and the always popular Gloria of Antonio Vivaldi. Under guest conductor Elizabeth Scott the choir performed to a full house at Macquarie Theatre.
Another milestone was the November 2006 Misa Criolla concert in conjunction with Hernan Flores. This was the first time in the choir's history where the "house full" sign went up at Macquarie Theatre!
Earlier in 2006 the choir performed a world premiere of Australians All on ABC's 2BL Drive Time Radio, attracting much publicity around the issue of a suitable Australian anthem for the Commonwealth games. The work was then premiered "live" with brass and percussion as a prelude to Rossini's Petite Messe Solennelle at Macquarie Theatre in July before a large appreciative (and patriotic) audience.
After their exciting May performance of Handl's Israel in Egypt, in 2005, the choir performed Bernstein's Chichester Psalms and John Rutter's Requiem in their August concert Psalm Enchanted Evening . In September 2005 the choir joined with the Tops Orchestra in a thrilling performance of works by Mahler and Tippet at Sydney Town Hall. A busy year concluded with Benjamin Britten's Ceremony of Carols and other works at Macquarie University and Parramatta Cathedral in November.
Since 2000, MUS (along with the Willoughby Symphony Choir) has been "the choir" at Australian Philharmonic Orchestra (Auspops) concerts at Sydney Opera House. The choir sang in the Not the New Year's Eve concerts with Auspops in 2006, 2007 and 2008.
For more information, visit www.mus.org.au