The debut performance by the Central Australian Aboriginal Women's Choir in our Concert Hall on 11 December 2022 was a resounding success with audiences treated to extraordinary choral singing from the outback.
QPAC was the first stop on the acclaimed Choir's national tour and also marked its first ever Queensland performance.
The Choir captured the audience's imagination even before the performance started, with the 24 singers chanting from the wings as they made their way on stage, setting the scene for an unforgettable concert.
Choir Master Morris Stuart AM led the stunning Choir in a unique program that showcased the language and culture of 60,000 years of human occupation of Central Australia, delighting the audience with his entertaining banter and stories.
The Central Australia Aboriginal Women's Choir and Choir Master Morris Stuart AM performing at QPAC. Photo by Darren Thomas.
The Choir's unique repertoire comprises early Romantic Era and Baroque musical arrangements, featuring German sacred poetry (hymns) preserved by women from remote central desert communities and sung in Language.
The captivating concert featured Sacred Songs Celebrating The Western Arrernte Language, Sacred Songs Celebrating The Pitjantjatjara Language, Rounds German Folk Tunes, Songs For All Of Us of (including Waltzing Matilda and I Am Australian translated into Pitjantjara) and a three-song Finale.
And it wasn't just the Choir singing; people were encouraged to sing the well-known songs, some in Language, and even received a thumbs up from choir members
The audience was also treated to a traditional campfire song with the Choir and Morris seated cross legged on the stage.
The Central Australia Aboriginal Women's Choir performing at QPAC. Photo by Darren Thomas.
Three separate standing ovations showed the audience appreciation for this incredible Choir and Limelight magazine ran a glowing 4.5-star review saying:
“The precision, blend, fullness and intensity of the sound that this choir makes is utterly glorious.” Limelight
Read full Limelight review here
Find out more about this amazing Choir and how it is raising global awareness about the cultural richness and diversity of Australia's First People, in a SBS documentary Song keepers of the Central Desert.
You may also like
-
Clancestry 2025Clancestry artwork by Casey Coolwell-Fisher Clancestry
Clancestry returns from 23 July for over two weeks of extraordinary First Nations storytelling, music, dance, art and culture at QPAC!
-
Jarjums Life MuseumPhoto: Nathan Stoneham Jarjums Life Museum
Jarjums Life Museum is a museum made by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Jarjums.
-
QPAC’s Warm Welcome
This was a series of events looking at what happens when communities open their hearts, homes and institutions to people from other places.
-
Torres Strait IslandPhoto: Stutterstock The Mabo Oration
In 2005 the Anti-Discrimination Commission Queensland (ADCQ) and QPAC partnered to establish he Mabo Oration – a biennial public oration.
-
Artist: Jennifer Kent Quandamooka | Jinibara | Darumbal First Nations
Our First Nations program is bold, resilient, and features fierce black work from local, regional and national First Nations artists.
-
Sparks 2025 Participants Sparks
Sparks is a PLAYLAB THEATRE and QPAC partnership program which runs for a year and is designed to facilitate pathway opportunities for First Nations Artists in the performing arts.
-
National Apology Day
To commemorate the 14th anniversary of the National Apology to the Stolen Generations in 2022, Link-Up (Qld) hosted a morning tea at QPAC.
-
As it Happened: Clancestry 2022
Highlights from QPAC’s Clancestry – A Celebration of Country, which ran from 13 to 28 May 2022 and brought together First Nations voices, ideas and talent.
-
QPAC Launches Reconciliation Action Plan
QPAC launched its Reconciliation Action Plan, signalling the organisation's commitment to reconciliation with Australia’s First Nations peoples.
-
Designing a First Nations Festival Space
How Quandamooka Nunukul artist Casey Coolwell Fisher’s artwork transformed QPAC during QPAC’s Clancestry – A Celebration of Country.
-
Healing Country through the Performing Arts
Reflections from our Chief Executive John Kotzas and Elder in Residence Aunty Colleen Wall during NAIDOC Week 2021.
-
Meet Rachael Sarra
Responsible for QPAC’s First Nations artwork, her artwork recognizes and celebrates First Nations people, culture and stories throughout all of Queensland.