Choir Cecilia

Choir Cecilia was formed in 1991 when a group of teachers, parents, and students, in Mount Barker, inspired by their interest in and love of choral music, formed a choir that became known as Choir Cecilia. They held early rehearsals in the Waldorf School Mt Barker, under the

baton of Lyndon Piddington. In 1992, they staged a production of Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas which delighted the local community. They went on to perform in concerts of choral music from all over the world and across the centuries.

 

Subsequently Tom Lambert led the choir until 1997 when Peter Webb OAM became the Musical Director and led the choir until his retirement in 2022. He effectively nurtured and maintained a high standard of performance of repertoire that was varied but mainly classical.

 

Following his retirement, Heather Elliott directed the choir for a short period and then in 2023 Choir Cecilia combined with Mount Lofty Singers to perform two concerts under Olga Strizhak, and then Janet Leitch conducted several performances.

 

In 2024 Brian Chatterton, OA, flourished the baton for the choir to perform several concerts which contained many opera choruses amongst other pieces.

 

In 2025, Jeremy Tatchell was appointed the Musical Director and continues to lead the choir in varied but mainly classical genre of choral music.

 

We have been fortunate to have a number of talented accompanists including Gillian Middenway, Audrey Collins, Bronwyn Simpson, Cheryl Bayliss from 2001 to 2007, Sarah Clay from 2008 to 2015, Heather Elliott in 2016 after being the guest accompanist on a number of occasions and then from 2018 to 2022, and Brenna MacKay from 2017 to2018.

 

From 2023 to 2025 Ruth Murcutt has been our accompanist, with Damian Mansfield starting in 2026. 

 

Rehearsals have been held at various sites in the vicinity of Mt Barker and are currently held in the Mt Barker Anglican Church Hall.

 

Choir Cecilia is an SATB choir that performs a variety of musical works, predominantly classical, as well as a variety of popular folk songs from different countries.

 

Performances have been held in locations including Strathalbyn, Victor Harbor, Murray Bridge and Mount Barker, and in a number of venues in Adelaide. As well as concerts in the middle and end of the year, the choir has sung on a variety of other occasions, including Remembrance Day ceremonies, and at the Mount Barker Christmas market, Retirement villages and Rest Homes.

 

The Choir is a not for profit, incorporated body with a membership of around 30 to 40 singers who live in the Hills and in near Adelaide areas.

 

We continue to pride ourselves on our professional delivery and we enjoy sharing the joy of music with our audiences as well as belonging to a friendly community of singers.