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Macquarie University Singers (MUS) was established by the late John
Gordon in 1967 to encourage the formation of strong links between
Macquarie University and the wider community through singing. Membership
is open to students, staff and members of the community.
The
most recent MUS concert was a full house. Entitled 'Beautiful
Baroque', with guest conductor Elizabeth Scott, it was held
on May 30 2009 and was a great success. Vivaldi Gloria,
Bach Magnificat and Purcell Come Ye Sons Of Art
plus Vivaldi's L'Estro Armonico made for a most enjoyable
evening.
In May 2008, MUS performed
Haydn Paukenmesse and Fauré Requiem in
the Macquarie Theatre on their new custom made risers. The concert
was Margot McLaughlin's final performance as musical director in
Macquarie Theatre. MUS then engaged guest conductor Timothy Chung
who led a magnificent performance of Colours of the World
on Nov 1st. This concert featured music from around the world -
opera choruses, folk song arrangements and traditional pieces.
In 2007
MUS celebrated its 40th year with performances of Brahms German
Requiem and a gala concert And Gladly Sing, a panorama
back to the 60s. 2007 also marked Margot McLaughlin's 21st year
as MUS musical director.

Arguably the most successful
MUS concert ever was the November 2006 Misa Criolla concert
in conjunction with Hernan Flores. This was the first time in the
choir's history where the "house full" sign went up at
Macquarie Theatre!
Earlier in 2006 the choir performed a world premiere of "Australians
All" on ABC's 2BL Drive Time Radio attracting much publicity
around the issue of a suitable Australian anthem for the Commonwealth
games. The work was then premiered "live" with brass and
percussion as a prelude to Rossini's Petite Messe Solennelle
at Macquarie Theatre in July before a large appreciative (and patriotic)
audience.
Performances
in 2005 included Israel in Egypt, Bernstein's Chichester
Psalms, Rutter Requiem and Benjamin Britten's Ceremony
of Carols.
Since 2000, MUS (along with the Willoughby Symphony Choir) has been
"the choir" at Australian Philharmonic Orchestra (Auspops)
concerts at Sydney Opera House. The choir has sung in the 'Not
the New Year's Eve' concerts with Auspops for several years
now and in 2008 also sang in the 'Absolutely British' concert
MUS is pleased to welcome
singers from any background although sometimes restrictions have
to be placed on numbers. Members of the University, whether staff
or students, are particularly welcome, as are tenors and basses.
Performance in any concert requires attendance at a minimum number
of rehearsals and approval of the Musical Director.
View
a pdf copy of our constitution
Updated 19 June 2009
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