The Who, What and Where

Who We Are

Counterpoint Chamber Choir is a non profit choral group, centred on the Hunter Valley of New South Wales with a predominantly Maitland based membership. As such we generally perform throughout the Hunter region, extending to the Central Coast and mid-North Coast of New South Wales.

At full strength, the choir is made up of five sopranos, five altos, five tenors and five basses and in addition, through the introduction of a student scholarship scheme, one student position is offered in each vocal part. Choir membership is by invitation as positions are vacated, following a standard application and admission process.

The student scholarship program is offered following assessment by the Director, and is designed to encourage young people to enjoy the opportunity of singing with a committed, skilled and trained ensemble, with enthusiastic mentoring by senior members. A number of graduates from this program have gone on to be senior members of the choir.

 

What and Where We Perform

Counterpoint Chamber Choir performs at a variety of venues including churches, public halls, restaurants and function venues, predominantly by invitation and engagement from local groups and organisations, looking to raise funds for their particular activity or cause.

The choir also promotes and presents its own concerts, with programs of selected songs from our extensive repertoire and at times, also including major works such as Vivaldi's Gloria and guest performers. We have joined with other local choirs in promoting and presenting major works such as Handel's Messiah, and Faure's Requiem, and we especially enjoy being engaged to sing at special occasions such as weddings, local celebrations and significant ceremonies.

We present an extensive choral repertoire including a wide variety of folk songs, spirituals, sacred and secular music, and musical theatre, and cover the period of early music, through classical to contemporary.




 

Special Achievements

In 2007, Counterpoint Chamber Choir presented a concert for the opening of the newly restored and conserved historic chapel at Maitland Gaol. As part of the program, the choir presented the Australian Premiere performance of the cantata, I Share Creation by Bob Chilcott.

Counterpoint Chamber Choir, with the assistance of Maitland City Council through the Maitland City Community Grants Program 2010-2011, commissioned a work by local composer and musician, Gilbert Beveridge, who took as his inspiration, 19th century local heroine, Molly Morgan. Molly was premiered by Counterpoint Chamber Choir at Maitland Town Hall on 14th April 2012, directed by Evanne Sherringham and accompanied by the composer.

In 2015, Counterpoint Chamber Choir entered the Muswellbrook and Upper Hunter Eisteddfod, taking out first place in the Community Choir division.



 

Our Choir Objects

The objects of our association are:

1. To stimulate interest and participation in and promote the advancement of choral and vocal music especially within the community through the development and support of a performing choral group known as Counterpoint Chamber Choir,
2. To present choral music primarily, but not necessarily exclusively, through the undertaking of choral programmes, events, concerts, and festivals organised and promoted by Counterpoint and/or other commercial, not for profit, and charitable organisations,
3. To organise and/or undertake choral and vocal music related activities including discussion, workshops, shared programmes and activities, and educational events and to involve such other persons or groups as may be deemed appropriate,
4. To foster, support and encourage the development of vocal and choral music within the Hunter Region of New South Wales, and
5. To encourage the support of vocal and choral music within the community through the seeking of sponsorship of choral and vocal activities from whatever sources may be appropriate.