CHORALE
The Barwon Heads Chorale was the creation and vision of well-known local resident and music lover Jo Larson. She asked Natale Lewington to be the Chorale Director and Hazel Mitchell to be the Accompanist. With the retirement of Hazel at the end of 2015, choir member Sara Brownell took up the challenge of working as accompanist for the Chorale.
In April 2021 our wonderful Barwon Heads Chorale Director for the last 10 years, Natale Lewington announced that she was leaving Barwon Heads for a new position in Melbourne and to live closer to her Mum in Mount Martha
Natale’s involvement with the Barwon Heads Fine Music Society and as Director of the Chorale over many years has made a remarkable contribution to the Barwon Heads Community . Natale was a great initiator and involved with some of the progressive changes in the village , such as the fight to maintain the library, and on the community hall committee and her presence and her strong caring attitude to people she came across will be remembered by many in Barwon Heads and Ocean Grove and she will be missed greatly
As Vice President on the BHFMS Committee Natale was the ideas person !
She challenged us and made us think outside the square and gave us the courage to run the big events such as the Melbourne Opera with the Merry Widow and David Hobson at 13th Beach , Peter and the Wolf with the Geelong Symphony orchestra, for the school community , Jazz in July, and many evenings of musical fun at the Community Hall amongst some of the musical events
As Chorale Director, she inspired and challenged Chorale members to take on new musical pieces ranging from Mozart, to Sondheim along with popular musical theatre pieces . The Chorale concerts always attracted a large audience and her extraordinary solos at the Combined Churches Christmas Carols will be remembered always.
Jo Larson
Natale Lewington
Terry Norman
Chorale Director
Sara Brownell
Accompanist
The enjoyment of singing in harmony with others has demonstrated therapeutic effects, and additionally the social aspect of each week’s rehearsal sometimes leaves your sides aching from laughter! Much fun is had, along with learning terrific music.
The Chorale draws members from all over the Bellarine Peninsula, the Surf Coast and the greater Geelong area, with some members travelling from Melbourne and Ballarat to attend rehearsals. There are no audition requirements, the only thing you need to bring along with you is your voice and a healthy sense of humour!
If you would like some more information on the Barwon Heads Chorale, please call Jo. You can find her number by CLICKING HERE. Otherwise, feel free to come to a rehearsal one Tuesday night if you fancy a sing and a laugh – everyone is welcome, the more the merrier!
