A Word From The Chair

Darwin Chorale has had an extraordinarily successful year with outstanding audience statistics. We have staged five stand-alone performances with five full-house audiences. Additionally, the finale concert for 2023, Odes to Joy in partnership with Darwin Symphony Orchestra, was exceptionally well attended.

The three Disney in Concert shows were sold out three weeks before the performances. Comment was passed after the Disney in Concert performances that there are few live shows that parents can take children to in Darwin. Members did an outstanding job in weathering the disruption caused by illness to present three great Disney in Concert shows on 6 and 7 October. The audience interaction was wonderful. My thanks to everyone involved.

It was with deep sadness that we received the news of Louise Morgan’s passing. Her contribution to Darwin Chorale as both a beautiful singer and a beautiful human being was greatly valued. Louise’s family was very appreciative of the large number of Chorale members who attended the funeral to show their respect, and to the twenty members who also sang at the funeral.

The Performance Manager and I have met with Charles Darwin University’s Donor Relations Manager to action renewal of our Memorandum of Agreement. Some suggested amendments to the Agreement were discussed and ratified at our December Board meeting so we can now finalise the document and sign off.

Over the coming weeks significant work will be undertaken before submission of all required documentation for the annual audit of our financial reports and processes. The audit report will be distributed to you prior to our Annual General Meeting on 1 May 2024.

Several Board positions will be available for filling at our Annual General Meeting. I encourage you all to consider nominating for a position on the Darwin Chorale Board or supporting another member to nominate. Board membership provides a great opportunity to work with others on the overarching governance and operation of the Chorale. Talk to some of the current Board members to get their perspective on the benefits of having direct input.

The Board is keen to receive your feedback on both your 2023 experience of being a Darwin Chorale member, and your thoughts on how we can continue to grow and develop the Chorale. You will shortly receive a survey with 10 questions that will take no more than 10 minutes to complete. Your responses will help to guide the work of the Board in 2024.

We all look forward to an exciting concert program in 2024 that will continue the Chorale’s mission to deliver to the Darwin community a selection of quality music in a variety of venues.

Best wishes to everyone and have a very, very happy and safe Christmas.

Marion Guppy