Australian Ensemble Earns Champions Invitation at World Choir Games

An Avondale University vocal ensemble has received two gold diplomas in The Open Competition at the World Choir Games in Auckland, New Zealand, held July 15-21. Avondale University is a Seventh-day Adventist school of higher education in Cooranbong, New South Wales, Australia.

Despite being the only entrant, The Promise had to perform at the highest standard to be declared winner of the University and College Choirs category. A day earlier, the group placed second — also with a gold diploma and ahead of two other choirs — in the Gospel category.

Receiving gold diplomas earns the students an invitation to compete in The Champions Competition at the next games. “That is an honor,” artistic director Aleta King said, “and a reward for hard work, determined effort, and prayer.”

Even with experience as musical director of London Adventist Chorale, King felt nervous entering The Promise in the Gospel category because of the African-American origin of the music. “So, I chose repertoire we could perform in our own style.” As a smaller, more agile ensemble, The Promise also earned points for harmonic clarity and complexity, Aleta said. “Our musicianship program gives the students good ears. It underpins the clear, crisp sound they make.”

Practice and previous performances also played a part. King likened conducting the ensemble at the games to driving a Formula 1 race car. “With every gesture came an instant response. I had to be careful how much pedal I put down. The students were reading me closely.” She is most proud, though, of their willingness to “glorify and praise God every step of the way. That is inspirational.”

As a small ensemble from a private regional university, “we were shocked to do so well,” soprano Olivia Morton said. She credits King’s leadership and the bonds the students developed as keys to success. “We learnt not just vocal techniques but group dynamics.” Her highlight was an out-of-competition performance of “Man in the Mirror” at a friendship concert in the Auckland Botanic Gardens attended by many local Seventh-day Adventists.

With 11,000 participants making up 250 choirs representing 42 countries, the biennial World Choir Games — the “Olympics of choral music” — claims to be the world’s largest international choral competition. Recognizing the privilege of performing at an event with such prestige and profile, Morton said the experience is helping her consider music as a career. “I don’t want to give it up when I graduate,” she said.

About Avondale University

Avondale University is a leading not-for-profit provider of tertiary education, offering a range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and vocational courses in a nurturing and inclusive environment.

The school offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and vocational (VET) courses across arts, business, teaching, nursing, ministry and theology, and Outdoor Leadership. It also has research centers leading the way in Lifestyle and Health; Christian Education; Scripture, Spirituality and Society; and Teaching and Learning.

Established by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in 1897, the school states on its website, “Avondale values excellence, spirituality, wellbeing, integrity, and service.”

The original version of this story was posted on the Avondale University news site.