Former opera singers at Pearl Beach singalong concert
Two former Opera Australia singers, as well as two long-time members of the Central Coast Philharmonia Choir, will be part of a "singalong variety concert" to be held by the Pearl Beach Singers on Friday evening and Saturday afternoon, August 25 and 26.
The theme of the concert will be "The 70's and Beyond".
The former Opera Australia singers are Ms Michaele Archer and Mr Tim Page, both of whom have roles with the Central Coast Conservatorium and involvement with the annual Pearl Beach Opera in the Arboretum.
Together they will perform "You'll never walk alone" and Golden Age Music Theatre duets.
The two Philomonia Choir members are Ms Sue McCarthy and Ms Marian Jones.
They will be joined by Ms Grace Mitchell, a vocal student at the Central Coast Conservatorium.
Proceeds from the concerts will go towards the upkeep and renovation of the Pearl Beach Memorial Hall.
Pearl Beach Progress Association publicity officer Ms Lynne Lillico said: "Michaele brings a wealth of experience having studied voice and breathing with leading teachers in New York and Switzerland.
"She has sung with Opera Australia and in concert in USA, is co-head of the vocal department at Central Coast Conservatorium and artistic director for Pearl Beach Opera in Arboretum.
"Tim Page is a veteran of Australian TV, and star of the Young Doctors series.
"He has performed extensively in musical theatre in Australia and on London West End.
"He has sung with Opera Australia, is a tutor at Central Coast Conservatorium and MC for Pearl Beach Opera in the Arboretum."
Ms Lillico said the Pearl Beach Singers, originally the Glee Club, was formed in the 1950s to raise funds to complete the building of the Pearl Beach Memorial Hall, putting on a number of "Grand Concerts".
"In the days before television and when sound recordings consisted of large unwieldy 78rpm discs that played only for a few minutes on a wind-up gramophone, people created their own entertainment at home and for more general consumption.
"Pearl Beach in 1950 was a small community with about 90 houses and a permanent population of about 130, proud of its recently opened Memorial Hall.
"However, then, as now, it required a steady flow of funds to pay for rates, electricity, and other essential services.
"It was decided to give a concert during the holiday weekend in June 1950 to raise money for the Hall.
"That first concert was made up of songs, comedy sketches, a recitation and solo guitar.
"The Glee Club concerts provided opportunity for a group of local music lovers to re-form in 2010 as The Pearl Beach Singers to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the original Glee Club.
"Together they have been able to invite amateur and professional guest musicians and provided performance opportunity for young music students who with the Pearl Beach Singers have continued to produce exciting and innovative concerts," she said.
The concerts will be held at 7:30pm on Friday, August 25, at 2:30pm on Saturday, August 26, at the Pearl Beach Memorial Hall.
Bookings are recommended.
Email pearlbeachsingers@gmail.com for further information.
SOURCE:
Media release, 15 Aug 2023
Lynne Lillico, Pearl Beach Progress Association