On Friday, November 9, 1984, as part of Cygnet’s 150th-anniversary celebrations, a Music Hall took place at the Cygnet Town Hall.
At the heart of the event were the Cygnet Singers, who had been rehearsing since June under the vision of Derek Nichols, who saw the need for a community choir.
Cradoc musician Alan Cato was the soloist and joint accompanist, with the Cygnet Symphony Orchestra also participating alongside enthusiastic singers from Cygnet Primary School.
Even a spirited ‘Parisian’ Can Can was performed.
This marked the beginning of a rich musical tradition for the community, one that has since flourished beyond anyone’s expectations.
From a small group, the Cygnet Singers quickly grew, tackling an impressive array of musical works, from John Gay’s Beggar’s Opera to excerpts from Handel’s Messiah and Mozart’s Requiem.
In the years between 1994 and 2001, the choir joined forces with the Spring Bay Singers and Friends Singers for a series of Three Choir Festivals, and in 2003, they performed Finlandia alongside the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra.
To commemorate their 30th anniversary, the Cygnet Singers recorded a CD for The Hush Foundation, which provides calming music for children in hospitals across Australia. Their repertoire now spans centuries, encompassing sacred music, Christmas carols, folk tunes, love songs, and even nursery rhymes, performed in a variety of languages including Latin, French, Spanish, Welsh, and Zulu.
As they approached their 35th anniversary, the group began eagerly anticipating their 40th, embracing the adage, “Life begins at forty.”
With this milestone, they looked forward to more music, friendship, and inspiring performances.
In line with a popular saying, the Singers agree that “singing in a choir is cheaper than therapy, healthier than drinking, and more fun than working out.”
Today, the Cygnet Singers have around 60 members and always welcome new voices. Rehearsals and concerts are inclusive, enjoyable, and uplifting experiences for all involved.
For their 40th birthday concert, six choirs have been invited to participate in a celebratory program titled Vivimos Cantando – We Live to Sing.
The participating choirs include the Lindisfarne Riverside Arts Club Choir, Singers of Southern Tasmania, LA Singers, Tasmanian Song Company, Peninsula Singers, and Choral Productions Tasmania.
The Cygnet Singers warmly invite you to join them for a free concert on Saturday, November 9, at the St James College Auditorium, starting at 2.30pm.
