Grammy Award Winner Craig Hella Johnson Tours To Sydney

Sydney will host Grammy Award Winner Maestro Craig Hella Johnson for a Gala Festival culminating in an exuberant concert performance. Over 300 voices will join Hella Johnson on stage for a unique program in the Texan conductor’s signature style: a “collage” that marries “music and poetry in a seamless blend of sacred and secular, classical and popular, old and new” (Music Sales).

Hella Johnson is bringing his inspiring approach to Australia for the first time, working with choirs from around Australia, the United States and China. Joining Johnson are USA choirs from Bakersfield College (California), Staples High School (Connecticut), the Texas Children’s Choir, Alpine Chorale (Colorado) and Friends of CHJ singers. In addition, Shanghai S-future Choir from China and representatives from Australia’s university choirs will join the Festival.

For most of the international singers it is their first visit to Australia – for some it’s their first overseas journey. Individual touring choirs, including Bakersfield, will give free performances around Sydney in the lead up to the Gala Concert, where individual choirs will feature before combining for Hella Johnson’s inspiring program. This includes a world premiere composed for the Festival by “choral rockstar” Jake Runestad (American Public Media). In resonance with Hella Johnson, Runestad creates music which is “socially conscious and explore[s] authentic human emotions and experiences”, music that “connect[s] with the head and the heart” (jakerunestad.com).

Free entry – $10 donation encouraged in support of the Australian Red Cross

To book seats for the Gala Concert, contact: Contact: Sarah Penicka-Smith/ Email: [email protected]/ Phone: 0432 175 379