1992, History and other events

Though not as popular as some G&S shows, Iolanthe had its share of hilarity in our version, with a collapsing bridge and marching peers with two left feet. Yet another performance of The Messiah, toured to country centres, gave showed off our many soloists and choristers. We donated $9000 to charity, a total of $26,900.

1992 got off to an early start with Dance, Drama and Singing classes beginning early in February. These were well attended, and generated quite an deal of enthusiasm.

Meanwhile, Serendipity were still active, and together with singers Graham Ford, Allan Luke, Marilyn Billing and Carolynn O'Brien, presented a musical program at St. Stephen's Anglican Church, Warrandyte for the local festival in March. The only instrument available for accompanying was a portable pipe organ with four stops! No problem for Serendipity, who sang unaccompanied, but the soloists had to resort to backing tapes. Serendipity also performed at the Diamond Valley Community Hospital Open Day.

A further concert was given late in May at Diamond Creek Uniting Church, again in conjunction with members of the Diamond Valley Singers, some of whom belong to both groups. Ken Peard, a skilled artist on both piano and organ, provided the accompaniments. Soloists included Nancy Cornwallis, Jenni Williams, David Cox, Robert Alves, Graham Ford, Rod Gorfine and Peter Newton.

The orchestra too had been busy on its own account and gave concerts on two consecutive Sundays at Diamond Creek and Greensborough Uniting Churches. The program consisted of classical and light music.

In April, Graham sang a bracket of numbers of Paint Your Wagon at a memorial concert for Robert Knappett, a member of the orchestra and the Eltham Concert Band, who had recently died.

April also brought a concert at Carolynn O'Brien's at which Graham's students and Serendipity performed, accompanied by Ken Peard. These concerts provide valuable experience for less experienced singers to perform in a non-threatening atmosphere, although the "butterflies" still seem to be pretty active.

Meanwhile, Diamond Valley Singers talent was again spreading to other companies, with Allan Luke doing the lead tenor role of Hilarion for Loyola's Princess Ida. Graham's students again entered various eisteddfods - Dandenong, Footscray, Doncaster and Bendigo. Hildegard won (dare we say it??) the Over 35 section at Footscray, while Judith O'Shea gained third place at Bendigo and second in the oratorio at Doncaster.

Scarcely had the singers drawn breath after Iolanthe than a quartet of performers (Judith O'Shea, Mavis and Graham Ford and Michael Try) were called upon to present some scenes from The Pirates of Penzance at a concert for the Lieder Society, and acquitted themselves well.

Members to sing with other companies were Judith O'Shea, performing the title role in Iolanthe for Loyola Players in November, and John Tacey, who was involved with Whitehorse Musical Theatre's My One and Only and landed the lead tenor role in a semi-professional season of Cosi fan Tutte in the new year. Meantime Michael Try played the lead in Oklahoma with St. Michael's Players.

Prior to the Annual General Meeting the executive decided to create the position of Artistic Director who would provide input for musical programs, be a focus for rehearsal organisation, liaise with outside organisations and implement decisions of the executive. At the Annual General Meeting Graham Ford's appointment as Artistic Director was ratified unanimously and a new executive appointed, consisting of Irene Hayes (president), Merrill Hogan (secretary), Sue Bell (treasurer), with additional members Dianne Richter, Gael Shearer and Dennis Hickey. Later Merrill resigned and Michael Try was invited to take her place.

Before the major season of Messiah a concert entitled From The Messiah to Les Miserables was presented by the Diamond Valley Singers, Serendipity and various soloists at the new Diamond Creek Community Centre. This was a fund raiser for the Diamond Creek Living and Learning Centre and drew quite a good audience. The program turned out to be rather too long, but provided a "dry run" for some of the Messiah choruses, and also enabled the Diamond Valley Singers to branch out into some more modern items, with a medley from Les Miserables. It also showcased almost twenty soloists, displaying a formidable array of talent.

On Cup Day the annual Diamond Valley Vocal Eisteddfod was held at All Saints Anglican Church, Greensborough, with Joan Arnold as adjudicator and Janet Perkins as accompanist. Graham compered in his inimitable style and Diamond Valley Singers picked up some honourable mentions.

The final activity of the year was the Diamond Creek Carol Service, where a smallish group presented two choruses from Messiah, the unmiked voices becoming rather lost in the huge Catholic Church.