Sydney Children’s Choir Honours Bushfire Affected Communities With Music Video

The Sydney Children’s Choir has made a poignant music video of Ola Gjeilo’s The Ground, dedicated to the Australian communities affected by the devastating 2019/20 bushfire season.

One year ago a member of the Sydney Children’s Choir and his family lost their home in the bushfires at Balmoral Village, NSW. The choristers rallied behind their colleague, intending to maintain their support throughout the year in various ways until COVID -19 put paid to those plans. However, under COVID-safe restrictions, each of the 70 singers recorded their part individually in a studio. The tracks were then combined into a single rich choral experience.

You can watch this performance on YouTube 

Norwegian composer Ola Gjeilo’s The Ground is based on a chorale from the last movement of his Sunrise Mass (2008). This chorale, is the culmination of the Mass, and it’s called The Ground to convey a rooted, solid sense of harmony and peace after the journey of the Mass through many different emotions.

The Sydney Children’s Choir is one of the Gondwana Choirs, and is a prestigious vocal program for singers of school age. Founded as a single ensemble by Lyn Williams AM in 1989, it now includes approximately 500 young people, comprising performing choirs and training ensembles. They are instantly recognised for their crystal-clear sound, precision and artistry and possess a courageous and compelling performance style. Gondwana Choirs is the leader in Australian choral performance and comprises the most accomplished choral groups of young people in Australia also led by founder and Artistic Director Lyn Williams AM. Last year, Gondwana celebrated 30 years of Sydney Children’s Choir, which was the first choir of its kind in Australia. Gondwana was awarded the APRA/AMCOS award for Excellence by an Organisation for its 2014 Artistic Program and significant contribution to Australian music since 1989.