Over 500 Male Voices To Perform Choral Tribute To The Anzacs at QPAC

Over 500 boys and men will take to the stage for Voices from the Trenches on Sunday 2 July 2017 in Queensland Performing Arts Centre's (QPAC's) Concert Hall.

Presented by QPAC in association with Voices of Birralee, the special concert will honour the First World War soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the Somme, France, and those who came home, through powerful choral music.

The Voices from the Trenches concert serves a dual purpose. It is the culmination of four intense days of 'male music-making' as part of the triennial Pemulwuy! National Male Voice Festival, which will see over 500 male participants converge in Brisbane from 29 June to 2 July 2017. The concert is also the finale concert of Voices of Birralee's three-part Voices from the Trenches Choral Festival, proudly supported by the Queensland Government.

The Pemulwuy! National Male Voice Festival features choirs and ensembles from all over Australia; this Festival including the Bunbury Men of Song, Gondwana Young Men's Choir, Trinity College Junior Vocal Ensemble and Brisbane's own Birralee Blokes, as well the Varsity Male Ensemble from Japan.

Pemulwuy Co-Festival Director and Artistic Director of Voices of Birralee, Julie Christiansen OAM said the concert at QPAC would be an incredibly powerful tribute to the Anzacs, performed by multi-generational choirs.

"Considering a number of our Anzacs were young men, the concert's theme should resonate with each chorister and they will produce some magnificent sounds, with an expected highlight being the powerful and emotional massed finale."

Ms Christiansen said a number of choral pieces had been commissioned especially for the Voices from the Trenches concerts. "I invite the community to join us to experience some of these wonderful new pieces, created by very talented Australian composers, Dan Walker, Heather Percy, Sherelle Eyles and Joe Twist. These compositions have been so thoughtfully created to allow us to reflect on this time in Australia's history through song. It is so exciting to hear these words brought to life!"

The Pemulwuy! National Male Voice Festival involves local and national conductors including Dr Andre J. Thomas, Kate Albury, Jonathan Bligh, Chris Burcin, Elise Bradley and Paul Holley OAM who will share their expertise throughout the Festival in what is described as a unique opportunity for boys and men to engage artistically and socially.

This presentation of the Pemulwuy! National Male Voice Festival will be the fourth time the event has been held in Brisbane and QPAC will be hosting the Festival's finale concert for the third time.

For bookings for Voices from the Trenches concert at QPAC on Sunday 2 July go to www.qpac.com.au or phone 136 246.

For more information on the Pemulwuy! National Male Voice Festival go to http://www.pemulwuy.org.au/.