It all began on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin at the grand performance of Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana in 1995. Brought to life as part of community arts organisation 'Music for Everyone' (originally Gaudeamus), the people who sang in that original concert simply didn’t want to stop having fun and Strange Weather Gospel Choir  was born. The choir became independent in 2006 and continues to grow from strength to strength.

Strange Weather has been lucky to have a series of very talented Musical Directors and accompanists, as well as a wide and eclectic repertoire of songs and a variety of uniforms! The early period was characterised by quirky leopard print attire, funky Aretha Franklin gospel and lots of African music. We later moved into all black with various scarves and ties (as a nod to traditional US gospel robes) and sang more soulful ballads with a touch of jazz. In 2008, in our formal striped shirts, we branched out into some pop music and even Broadway hits. After some experimentation, we grooved into the old favourites for our major 2009 ‘Coming of Age’ concert in the current Strange Weather colours of black and purple.

In 2021, the choir changed our name to Strange Weather Choir to better reflect the breadth of our repertoire and diversity of interest in different styles of music.

Strange Weather is an incorporated not-for-profit organisation, the Constitution can be viewed here.

 

Strange Weather Past Directors

 
1995 Andrena Gorman
The choir was formed in March 1995 under the musical direction of Andrena Gorman. Andrena was the artistic director of Gaudeamus , which later became Music for Everyone, and now is Music for Canberra. Many of the original members had participated in the 400 voice choir in a massive outdoor performance of Carmina Burana in March 1995. Andrena left Canberra for Melbourne in late 1995.
 
1996 Tanya Smith
Tanya was musical director in 1996, but took maternity leave late 1996. In her absence, Andrew Bissett was acting MD. Tanya returned from leave, but when she found the load too heavy and Andrew took over as Musical Director.
 
1997-1999 Andrew Bissett
Andrew was a well-known Canberra Jazz identity, the author of Black Roots White Flowers. A History of Jazz in Australia, ABC Enterprises, 1987. He resigned as MD because of workload and health issues. Andrew passed away in 2005.
 
2000-2001 Tracy Lundberg
When Tracy left, the choir went into suspension for a while, from end of May 2001, to July 25 2001. Mathew Irving was accompanist and went on to be head of music at Radford. At the 2004 SWGC concert Radford College Senior Jazz band performed.
 
2001-2009 Ken Teoh
When Ken took over the choir at the end of 2001, there were only 12 members!  At the end of 2005 the choir split with Music for Everyone and became SWGC Inc. with Ken as MD at the beginning of 2006. Susan Reid was Deputy MD and Accompanist 2002-mid 2007. Nigel Leach became accompanist in 2007 and helped us in particular with rhythm in the fiendishly difficult Hamba Lulu. Anna Johnstone was a relief accompanist from time to time.
 
2009-2010 Sonia Anfiloff  
Sonia took over as acting MD mid-2009, and the choir advertised for a new MD for 2010. Sonia moved to Vienna in October 2010. Joshua McHugh and Daniel Brinsmead were accompanying us at the time.
 
2011-2014 Daniel Brinsmead
Daniel led wonderfully and left to study a Masters of Choral Conducting at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. During Daniel’s time, pianist Andrew Rumsey accompanied as well as James Huntingford, who was acting MD.

2014­-2017 Kimberley Steele
Kimberley began relief accompanying with the choir in 2013 and became official accompanist in January 2014. When Daniel departed Kimberley stepped into the temporary MD position, bringing with her accompanist Lucus Allerton, before being officially appointed MD in December 2014.