Leichhardt Espresso Chorus

Leichhardt Espresso Chorus is Sydney’s contemporary choir, specialising in Australian art music for choir and orchestra. The choir has participated in the world premiere of 200 new compositions since 2002, having commissioned (or co-commissioned) 170 of these. Since its inception in 1998, LEC has prospered under the leadership of Artistic Director Michelle Leonard and has redefined the capacity of community choirs. They have collaborated with many other performers, such as Edinburgh Military Tattoo, and are the artist-in-residence at the Moorambilla Festival in New South Wales. In 2008 the chorus received the "Best Community Outreach" award in the inaugural Music in Communities Awards by the Music Council of Australia.

Leichhardt Espresso Chorus
Background information
Also known asLEC
OriginSydney, Australia
GenresChoral music, Contemporary Australian art music
Occupation(s)Choir
Instrument(s)ca. 80 voices
Years active1998–present
MembersMusical Director
Michelle Leonard
Accompanist
Benjamin Burton
Website[http://www.espressochorus.com.au http://www.espressochorus.com.au

Background

Based in Sydney's inner-west Leichhardt Municipality, the choir comprises over 80 singers, and performs three major concerts a year. Under the artistic direction of conductor Michelle Leonard OAM, the choir strives to stretch the boundaries of excellence in community music but does not restrict membership through auditions. LEC promotes choral music in its community, which includes strong links with western NSW and a tradition of mentoring children's choirs through joint projects. LEC also fosters new Australian choral music by commissioning local composers to produce new works and new arrangements of classics for particular events.

LEC collaborates with Australian soloists in producing its major concerts. Recent soloists include Craig Everingham (baritone), Paul Goodchild (trumpet), Simon Halligan (baritone), Christina Leonard (soprano saxophone), Billie McCarthy (vocalist), Nadia Piave (vocalist), Jane Sheldon (soprano), Dan Walker (tenor), Sally Whitwell (piano) and Narelle Yeo (soprano).

Significant recent collaborations with professional arts groups include:

Each December, LEC produces Carols on Norton, a free community Christmas concert staged in Pioneers Memorial Park, Leichhardt.

LEC also features Ristretto, a chamber choir.

Awards

Commissioned works

The Leichhardt Express Chorus is committed to the development of new Australian choral music. This involves commissioning new music and updated arrangements of classics for particular events (such as re-workings of traditional carols for the Carols on Norton Concerts).

Between 2002 and 2011 the choir commissioned or co-commissioned 53 new songs (as listed below) and 23 new arrangements (indicated by + in the list below). As part of its role as choir-in-residence at the annual Moorambilla Festival, LEC has also participated in the premiere of an additional 14 new songs and 1 new arrangement that were commissioned for that Festival.

PremiereComposer/arrangerName
2010
27 MarchLuke ByrneSuch Country suite (5 movements)
David BasdenThe Birds
Andrew SchultzSimplify, Simplify
18 SeptGerard BrophyMoorambilla Dawn
David BasdenAve Maria
2009
22 MarchLuke ByrneImmortal Beloved
Sally WhitwellShe Walks in Beauty
Sally WhitwellThe Song of the Wandering Aengus
5 JulyLuke ByrneSalmos de Santiago
26 SeptLuke ByrneBack in My Day
Elena Kats-CherninBaiaime's Ngunhhu suite (6 movements)
20 DecDan WalkerWhat Can You See?
2008
5 AprilDan WalkerSeven Deadly Sins suite (7 movements)
21 DecBillie McCarthyI Love Christmas
Sally WhitwellLute Book Lullaby
Sally WhitwellHodie Christus Natus Est
2007
6 MayDan Walker+ Weep No More (David Childs)
25 AugChristopher GordonYou Dead Kings Rising
Marco CreazzoBeyond the Sea
Meredith HopeDeep Waters Rising
16 DecBillie McCarthyAlmost Christmas Day
2006
17 DecBillie McCarthyBillie's Song
Marco Creazzo+ The First Christmas
2005
17 SepDan WalkerCoutts Crossing
Michelle Leonard*Across The Plains (*Arranged: Marco Creazzo)
Paul JarmanRide The Spirit (Co-commissioned with Coonamble Shire Council)
Michelle Leonard+ Bellambi (Matthew Doyle)
Michelle Leonard+ Drought/Paint Up (Matthew Doyle)
Michelle Leonard+ Shall We Dream (Michael Atherton)
Michelle Leonard and Marco Creazzo+ Sailing In The Boat (Trad)
Michelle Leonard and Marco Creazzo+ Din Din Din (Trad)
23 SepPaul JarmanNarrabri (Co-commissioned with Narrabri Shire Council)
2004
4 JulMarco CreazzoAve Maria
12 SepJoe AccarioVolo del Palazzo
Marco Creazzo+ Ride On (Christy Moore)
2003
Christia MimmochiSilence is the Rock
27 SepDan WalkerFreshwater suite (4 movements)
21 DecMarco Creazzo+ Away in a Manger
Marco Creazzo+ Carol of the Drum
Marco Creazzo+ Christmas Day
Marco Creazzo+ Ding Dong Merrily on High
Marco Creazzo+ Gabriel's Message
Marco Creazzo+ God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Marco Creazzo+ Good King Wenceslas
Marco Creazzo+ Huon Christmas Carol
Marco Creazzo+ Mary's Boy Child
Marco Creazzo+ Noel Nouvelet
Marco Creazzo+ Once In Royal David's City
Marco Creazzo+ Silent Night
Marco Creazzo+ Star Carol
Marco Creazzo+ The Silver Stars
Marco Creazzo+ We Three Kings of Orient Are
2002
15 SepPaul JarmanOutback suite (5 movements)
+ A new arrangement of an existing work

Additional world premiere works

As of March 2011, LEC has participated in the world premier of 91 new compositions. In addition to the 76 listed in the table above, the choir participated in the world premiere performance of a further 15 works that were commissioned for the Moorambilla Festival. These are listed in the following table.

PremiereComposer/arrangerNameCommissioned by
2010
18 SepDan WalkerGuardians of the Gorge suite (2 of the 3 movements)Moorambilla Voices
2009
26 SepDan WalkerYowie! suite (2 of the 4 movements)Moorambilla Festival
Ben Van TienanFind My WayMoorambilla Festival
2007
14 SepDan WalkerSongs in the Key of She suite (3 of the 5 movements)Festivals Australia
2006
16 SepDan WalkerSongs in the Key of Bloke suite (3 of the 6 movements)Festivals Australia
Marco Creazzo+ Love Me Sweet (Carl Vine)Moorambilla Festival
2003
14 SepMarco CreazzoMoorambilla suite (3 movements)Moorambilla Festival
+ A new arrangement of an existing work

References

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