Connections Archive

Lyndelle Lawrence
Public relations editorial intern

A performance by three Avondale College music ensembles has served not only as a reminder of God as saviour but also of sacrifice in war.

A Concert of Remembrance, held at Avondale College Seventh-day Adventist Church in Cooranbong on November 8, featured the Avondale Chamber Orchestra and vocal ensembles Avondale Singers and The Promise, as well as various soloists.

The concert opened with the orchestra's grand performance of "Magnificat" by Schubert. The singers performed six pieces, including Rene Clausen's "All That Hath Life and Breath," the modern harmonies and the sopranos free thematic singing highlights. "How Lovely are Thy Dwellings," a serene pastoral from Brahms' requiem, provided the audience with a moment of contemplation. A prayer came later with a heartfelt performance of Gabriel Faure's "Cantique de Jean Racine."

Organist David Clark provided the first of the solos, a rhythmic, mysterious piece called "Toccata." Accompanied by the orchestra, Sarah Fischer played her virtuosic solos in the first and second movements of Mozart's Violin Concerto No. 3. Howard Fisher's recorder piece, "Alleluia" from Mozart's Exsultate, Jubilate, earned supportive applause from the audience, despite several stops and starts and an abbreviated ending.

A number of Latin songs performed by The Promise added variety to the musical selection. "Super Flumina Babylonis," a reflective, a cappella anthem, preceded the contrasting piece, "Lord My God, Assist Me Now."

Staying true to the theme of remembering and praising God as our creator, inspiration and saviour, the concert concluded with the audience and the singers, majestically accompanied by the orchestra, singing Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus," a fitting end to a memorable evening.