Alice Sings Out the Year

The Araluen Arts Centre stage is filled with heartwarming harmonies and breathtaking original arrangements at the Alice Sings End of Year Concert.

^{By Betty Sweetlove}

SUMMER IS IN the air and the population of Alice Sings is booming. With 100 singers now in the ensemble, Alice Springs’ Community Choir proves once and for all that from little things big things grow.

Choir leader Ed Gould has been behind the scenes of this uplifting local initiative since forming the choir in 2015.

“I don't think we knew there would be this big an appetite for Alice Sings in this town, but really, Alice is the kind of community minded, artistically rich town, where something like our choir can really thrive,” he says.

"I think with Alice Sings we get to show off a uniquely Alice Springs take on the community choir explosion that has taken place all over the world in the last 10 years.”

Each year, the choir invites local artists to collaborate, rehearsing stunning choral arrangements of their guests’ songs. Squeezing onto stage alongside Alice Sings are special guests Warren H Williams, Katie Harder, The Alice Springs Town Band, and the Wonderland quartet.

“We approach the artists, sometimes with one of their songs in mind, and sometimes they bring the songs they'd love to have the choir sing. It's a great way for the community to get to know the amazing talent that exists in our town,” Gould says.

“Choir members are always blown away by the talent on our doorstep. It's also a real honour and privilege to be trusted by the artists to arrange their song for our choir.”

With their vibrant presence and community spirit, the end of year concert is destined not to leave a dry eye in the house.

“I'm very excited to sing one of Warren's beautiful songs called ‘Werte’. It's written in Western Arrernte, and I've secretly wanted to sing it for a long time. It's a lovely reciprocal world where we get to work with some of Alice's most talented musicians, while local artists get an opportunity to share their original works with a wider audience,” Gould says.

Catch the ever-expanding Alice Sings at two back-to-back concerts. But be warned, the magic of choir is catching, and you might just be joining them onstage next year!

Alice Sings End of Year Concert
WHEN SAT 7 DEC | 4PM & 6.30PM 
AT ARALUEN ARTS CENTRE 
COST $40 | $20 CONC/CHILD FREE U10 
INFO araluenartscentre.nt.gov.au

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