Choir of Ormond College

The Choir of Ormond College, the University of Melbourne, was founded by Douglas Lawrence in 1982. It was an eight-part choir with twenty four choral scholars, who were both residents and non-residents of the College. Under the directorship of Douglas Lawrence (1982-2006), the Choir of Ormond College performed, toured and recorded regularly both within Australia and internationally.

In January 2007, John O'Donnell, esteemed keyboard artist and early music specialist, became the new director of the Choir with Dr Calvin Bowman as organist. The Choir lead the music each Sunday evening during semester in the College's Chapel and presented a series of public concerts annually, as well as performing at festivals and other events on an irregular basis. The Choir also undertook regular overseas tours.

In December 2008, the Choir launched its most recent CD, Concord and Time, coinciding with a series of performances of J. S. Bach's Magnificat (BWV 243) (with Christmas interpolations, BWV 243a).

During Holy Week 2009, the Choir performed Arvo Pärt's Passio Domini nostri Jesu Christi secundum Joannem with Jerzy Kozlowski (as Jesus), Matthew Thomson (as Pilate) and Ensemble Gombert. In June and July 2009, the Choir toured Germany, Switzerland and Austria.

On ANZAC Day (25 April) 2010, the Choir performed an afternoon concert at the College, In Memoriam, with works by Calvin Bowman (Beach Burial - world première), Hugo Distler (Totentanz) and Petr Eben (Hořká hlína - Australian première). Hořká hlína ('Bitter Earth') was accompanied on piano by renowned Australian pianist, Stephen McIntyre.

In mid-August 2010, the Choir combined with Ensemble Gombert to record a CD of Johannes Brahms' complete unaccompanied choral works. In October 2010, the Choir performed (for the final time) an afternoon concert of music for spring at Duneira estate, Mount Macedon.

In January 2011, John O'Donnell resigned as director of the Choir and the Choir disbanded. The College has since employed Raymond Yong as the Director of Music, who has created a new un-auditioned singing group, the Ormond Singers.

2010 Choral Scholars

Decani

Soprano: Victoria Brown, Joanne Rigbye, Elle Adamson, Kizzy Davies

Alto: Yi Wen Chin, Alicia Haesslein, Erin Lancaster

Tenor: Daniel Thomson, Matthew Thomson

Bass: Tudor Thomas, Adam Chong, Andrew Murray

Cantoris

Soprano: Sarah Harris, Alexandra Hughes, Shobana Sivanendram, Sally Cameron

Alto: Laura Snyders, Julia Sewell, Jessie Rafeld

Tenor: Nicholas Parkes, Michael Stephens

Bass: Thomas Bell, Daniel Candy, Alistair Clark

Directors

• Douglas Lawrence (1982-2006)
• John O'Donnell (2007-2010)

Discography

• Concord and Time (2008)
• Barber: Choral Music (2006)
• Laughing (2006)
• The 12 Days of Christmas (2003)
• The Choir of Ormond College LIVE (2003)
• Beatus Vir (1999)
• Bright Tracks: The Chamber Music of Brenton Broadstock (1998)
• Kodaly Missa Brevis (1997)
• Music From Heaven
• I Heard the Owl Call My Name
• I Can Tell The World
• Bach Byrd Britten
• We Wish You a Merry Christmas

External links

• Ormond College
• Naxos recording
• Move recordings