University of Tasmania, Australia

The Festival of Voices and the University of Tasmania are proud to present:

Myron Butler (USA) & the Southern Gospel Choir in Brighter Day

A powerful, exhilarating and moving concert of African American Gospel Music

With The Festival of Voices Gospel Choir & Melbourne Massed Gospel Choir

Venue: City Hall
Macquarie Street, Hobart

TICKETS:
$40 Adults / $30 Concession & Alumni / $15 Children under 12
Groups of 10 or more, $28 per person
Transaction Fees may apply

Tickets available from
Centertainment
53 Elizabeth Mall, Hobart
Ph: (03) 6234 5998

OR

Click here to purchase your tickets online

BIOGRAPHY:
Andrew Legg formed the Southern Gospel Choir and Band in 2000, soon after joining the staff of the contemporary music department at the University of Tasmania, Conservatorium of Music. The choir is undoubtedly one of the most vibrant and exciting musical ensembles to arrive on the Tasmanian music scene in recent times. Now in their ninth year they hold a special place in the musical life of Tasmanians, performing to packed houses and critical acclaim.

The Southern Gospel Choir is unique in Australia. Their very contemporary sound draws on the grooves and harmonic structures of jazz, funk, soul, house and hip-hop and yet maintains the heart and soul of traditional gospel through beautiful and powerful melodies and vocal arrangements, and the irrepressible, uncontainable joy that is gospel music.

The Southern Gospel Choir came to prominence in 2001 through their highly successful performances at the Hobart Summer Festival. In 2003 they were featured artists for the Choral Island event at Port Arthur during the 10 Days on the Island Festival. That year they also played to 1200 people as part of the Burnie Shines Festival. In 2004 they performed two sell-out concerts in Hobart, one of which was along with the internationally renowned vocal quartet, The Idea of North. More recently, the SGC were invited to record a song for the MYER Spirit of Christmas album along side Australian music industry icons Guy Sebastian and Delta Goodrem.

The choir is highly experienced in performance for corporate events, having performed at numerous functions and conventions and this powerful choir are at home singing in outdoor venues, wineries, the Federation Concert Hall, the Theatre Royal or community halls and theatres. The Southern Gospel Choir is one of the most flexible music ensembles in Australia, able to provide a stylish sextet or a huge, roof-raising gospel sound, and boasts some of the best up-and-coming contemporary singers in Australia.

The choir’s membership is open to the public as well as Conservatorium students, and includes men and women aged from 14 to 60. It began with seventy singers, and ten years later has over 120 singers, including a forty-five member ‘frontline’ choir.

The choir is supported by a ten-piece band drawn from the elite of Australia’s musicians.

The Southern Gospel Choir are unique in Australia, and in March 2005 released their groundbreaking CD, Great Day. Stunningly recorded by multi ARIA award winning musicians and producers Llew Kiek and Guy Dickerson, it truly captures the essence of this outstanding and powerful ensemble. As a result of this stunning debut, Great Day was nominated for an ARIA, World Music category, in 2005, giving serious national industry and peer credence to what Tasmanian’s already know is a life changing experience and a truly international musical ensemble.

Sales for the album have already exceeded the wildest expectations and an international distribution is just around the corner and now this amazing ensemble is absolutely ready to spread its wings and take its message right around the world.