Adelaide Philharmonia Chorus Vocal Workshop

Led by our conductor Aldis Sils and pianist Nerissa Pearce, this workshop will cover vocal techniques and quality and is suitable for  people already in a choir to improve their skills and also for new-comers so they can learn from experts from the start. 

 Saturday 18 October 2025, 10:30am–12:30pm Cynthia Poulton Hall, St Peter’s Cathedral, North Adelaide

 $30 | Special “Bring a Friend” discount  that is $40 for two tickets! Morning tea included

Book here: https://www.trybooking.

VALE Elizabeth Silsbury

From “The Advertiser” Tuesday July 29: “Elizabeth Alice Silsbury, 01 Dec 1931 - 11 Jul 2025. …Musician, teacher, writer and critic, a passionate advocate for the performing arts…”

Adelaide Philharmonia Chorus Memorial Tribute July 2025

Adelaide Chorus, now Adelaide Philharmonia Chorus since 1997, was formed in 1980, after the disbanding of 2 Adelaide Choirs, the Adelaide Choral Society and the Adelaide Philharmonic Choirs. It was decided by a committee led by SA Arts that the 2 choirs were replicating their repertoire at this time and would benefit from a union. Elizabeth was the Music Director and accompanist for the Adelaide Philharmonic Choirs at that time, and was part of the committee to handle the merger. She commented that the union of the 2 choirs was ‘Amicable, reasonable, and good humoured.”

Jonathon Draper was the inaugural MD in 1980, and Elizabeth took over his role when he returned to America to continue his studies. She was Music Director of the choir for 3 years, from 1981 to 1984. There were 27 concerts performed under her baton, many concerts were with the ASO. A full list of performances can be found in Adelaide Philharmonia Chorus. Celebrating 30 years. 1980-2010.

Elizabeth was then employed by “The Advertiser” to review music performances and continued to be supportive of the choir. When Graham Abbott was appointed MD in 1986, she was clearly impressed with the first concert under his baton, Beethoven Mass in C. “The Chorus was relaxed, relieved, and refreshed, and gave one of the most lively and expressive performances of its life, showing that Abbott is building on the firm foundations of past, not just resting on them.” {The Advertiser, 2 July 1986.)

Elizabeth attended many of our concerts as a Life Member guest, and as a critic. We fondly remember her presence, and support, when we were planning our 30 Years Concert in 2010. To be titled ‘One choir, 4 Conductors’ she gave us an historic book, which outlined the history of our choir.  Titled ‘FROM COLONEL LIGHT into the FOOTLIGHTS, The performing Arts in South Australia from 1836 to the present.’ by Andrew McCredie. Pagel. The chapter she wrote was ‘Secular and Choral Music in South Australia.’ It was very helpful to learn the historic background of our choir and other ones in SA. She was our Guest of Honour at the concert.

Also in the book were her written outlines of her speech at the launch of the 1996 Adelaide Chorus program. She wrote ‘I wish you all the best of choral rewards to all who play, sing and sail with you’!!

Farewell to Elizabeth, a very musical, talented, personable and competent person whose support for the Choral Arts in South Australia has enabled the Adelaide Philharmonia Chorus and many other choirs to continue performing the music we love to sing.

Fran Verrall. President 2007 to 2014.

AGM NEW COMMITTEE MEMBERS

The recent AGM marked the end of the term of service of several members of the committee. Ian Brown completed three terms of two years as President, the maximum allowed by the Rues of the APC. He was thanked by the members for his contribution and service. Suzanne Kovak and Gurney Khera were thanked for their service as Concert Manager and Fundraising Coordinator respectively.

Helen Yakovleff was elected as President, Anne-Marie Murray as Fundraising Coordinator, Marion Statton as Concert Manager and Christine Olson as committee member. Since that meeting, Tania Madigan has been co-opted by the committee as Vice-President. Welcome to all our new committee members! Alexis Dean (member of the choir since 1993) was made a life member of the choir.

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