Members of the Australian Youth Choir who opened the tribute concert to Darryl Cotton on Tuesday 23rd October at the Palais Theatre St Kilda were honoured to sing one of his favourite songs ‘Tenterfield Saddler’.
The greats of the Australian music industry came together to honour their mate.These performers were huge stars well before the kids in the Australian Youth Choir were born, but the choristers left the concert in awe of the enormous contribution they had made and continue to make to the Australian music scene – Daryl Braithwaite, Russell Morris, Lisa Edwards, Brian Cadd, Jim Keays, Debra Byrne, Wendy Stapleton, Paul Norton, Ronnie Burns, Glenn Shorrock and of course Darryl Cotton.
After opening the show, the choristers sat back in the audience and confidently sang along to ‘Howzatt’, ‘Because I Love You,’ ‘Wings of An Eagle’, ‘Sweet Sweet Love’, ‘Little Ray of Sunshine’, ‘Don’t you Know It’s Magic’, ‘Help Is On It’s Way’ and many more.
And who composed or made these songs famous? Australians of course and in many instances the very people on stage performing them.
The kids finished the night with a different appreciation of the 50+ age group whom they would probably call “old” but not on Tuesday. They had become ageless in front of an audience that included both those who remembered when their musical careers began and those who were watching them perform for the very first time.
Australian music is alive and well and we should be incredibly proud of the foundations upon which our industry has been built. Great song writers and great performers all came together to remember and honour a fellow performer and friend and in doing so inspired a new generation of young fans to follow their musical dreams.
Message from Graeme McKee – Organiser of the Tribute Concert
Thank you to the Australian Youth Choir for the valuable contribution to our tribute to Darryl. I felt tears welling right through your singing of Tenterfield Saddler. It was simply the BEST opener we could have hoped for. Darryl often talked about his involvement and passion for the choir over the years, and I thought of this through the song, one of my favourites. I am sure that not a person left that theatre last night, anything but absolutely delighted with the vast talent on display from start to finish. Through his short illness we talked about the concert often. It was a strange feeling driving home after the concert realising that we had nailed it to his high standards. Thank you again and my love and thanks to all those delightful choristers who were just simply wonderful!
Julie McKenna – NIYPAA Director
Julie’s involvement with the Performing Arts covers a wide field of expertise. As a classroom teacher she fostered her passion of singing and ensemble groups with her students and continues this aspect with the students of the Australian Youth Choir and Australian Youth Dance Theatre. An extensive career in opera, music theatre and choral groups has seen her perform in a variety of productions with Opera Australia, the Victoria State Opera, Melbourne Music Theatre and the Melbourne Chorale.
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Go to www.niypaa.com.au
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