Scotch College

Choir Success for the Cardinals

Choral Success for The Cardinals

Whilst the numbers in the college choir continue to grow exponentially, the five-member The Cardinals vocal ensemble, formed only last year, has gone from strength to strength in 2001. The boys have been regular performers at OSCA dinners around the state, and recently decided to augment their schedule by trying their hand at a couple of choral competitions as well.

Whilst keeping a realistic perspective of their chances of success in an under-twenty-one age competition, the boys were nevertheless eager to enter the Dandenong Festival of Music in May. Resplendent in their new bow ties presented by OSCA, the boys gave a memorable performance on the night, made even more memorable by not only being placed first against twelve other ensembles, but by also being given a score of 100% by the adjudicator!

Motivated by this result, the boys joined with the other members of the Senior Chamber Choir to perform in the Open section of the Boroondara Eisteddfod in the Hawthorn Town Hall in June. Again they competed against a number of other school and adult choirs…and again they were awarded first place in the event, whilst also being awarded the Boroondara Choral award, as the best choir from the municipality to perform in any section!

The Cardinals' final scheduled competition for the year was their participation in the Victorian Youth Barbershop Championships in June. This was their first attempt at this style of competition, and the performances from other schools more experienced in barbershop singing were sure to be very strong. After hearing several excellent performances, The Cardinals were astonished to be named the first-prize winners, defeating amongst others, year 2000 victors Melbourne High School. The boys have now been invited to participate as the Victorian representative in the National Barbershop Competition and International Convention, to be held in October, in Melbourne.

Whilst it has been a wonderful experience for the boys to have such tremendous success with their singing, it has been even more wonderful to see them grow in confidence and musicality as they have had the opportunity to perform widely and listen to other groups from around Melbourne. Already The Cardinals' standard of performance has become a motivation for younger boys in the choir, and they have surely begun a tradition that will continue for many years at Scotch!

Mr Andrew Hunter
Choral Director, Senior Music School

Right: Chamber Choir in Sacred Heart Cathedral, Bendigo (on OSCA tour).