Our Hall of fame
The Strange Weather Gospel Choir has had a variety of different conductors over the years. They have come from diverse backgrounds ranging from classical to jazz. Each has shown a passion for gospel and brought their own unique style to the choir.Andreanna Gorman led the choir when it was first formed in 1995 and Andrew Bissett took over the reins in 1996. He took a brief break in 1997 when Tanya Smith led the group, but was back in 1998. The choir was very sad to hear of the passing of Andrew in 2005. Members of the choir will always remember his warm spirit and fantastic musical knowledge and ability.
In 2000 the choir started the year with a new conductor, Tracy Lundberg.
She was followed by Ken Teoh in 2001 who has been, by far, our longest serving conductor.
Sonia Anfiloff took over the reins in mid-2009 and successfully led the choir in their biggest annual concert ever in Llewellyn Hall in front of an audience of over 700 patrons.
Our Champion Accompanists
The choir has also had the assistance of a number of very talented pianists including Will, Damien, Matthew Irving, Catherine, Anna Johnstone, Susan Reid and Josh McHugh who have been invaluable in keeping the choir “in tune” during rehearsals and providing energetic and soulful backing for performances. At various times the choir has also enlisted the assistance of drummers (thanks Stan and Mark) and bass players to give the choir that extra rhythmic oomph.
Sonia Anfiloff (mid 2009 - 2010)
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Sonia has completed a Masters of Music at the Australian National University, majoring in voice performance, under the tutelage of Christina Wilson and Alan Hicks. She spent ten years performing with Canberra choirs, has performed around Australia and overseas, and has conducted various choirs in Canberra. She has performed as a soloist in Verdi’s Requiem, Rachmaninov’s Vespers, Mozart’s Requiem, Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater, Haydn’s Imperial Nelson Mass, David Fanshawe’s African Sanctus, Bach’s St Matthew’s Passion and Handel’s Messiah. Sonia has also performed in all the ANU School of Music operas while completing her Bachelor of Music; these performances have included the part of La Zia Principessa in Puccini’s Suor Angelica, the First Lady in Mozart’s Die Zauberflote, and Sly in the world premiere of Grimm and the Blue Crown Owl, written by Josh McHugh. This year marked the beginning of Sonia’s touring career, when she revisited her role as a Dame in Co-Opera’s production of The Magic Flute, performing in 35 shows throughout Australia and German.
Sonia is now seeking fame (&fortune?) on the opera circuits of Europe.
Ken Teoh (2001 - mid 2009)
Ken has a long history as a musical director of many choirs from his original home in Malaysia to Canberra, where he moved in 1994.
As well as Strange Weather Gospel Choir (SWGC), he also conducted the ABC 666 Community Choir and the Canberra Youth Choir. With a strong interest in music education, Ken has worked with many school and community groups giving workshops and running special projects such as the 2008 Olympic Torch Relay massed choir of 500 voices.
Ken was musical director of the Strange Weather Gospel Choir since late 2001 through to mid 2009. When he commenced his time with us the choir was still part of the community arts organisation, Music For Everyone. SWGC became independent in 2006 and the group grew from strength to strength culminating in a choir of almost 90 members in 2008.
Ken strived to inspire SWGC members towards musical excellence and was not afraid of taking some musical risks and of challenging members in new directions. In 2008, SWGC was the only Canberra entry in the television competition, 'Battle of the Choirs' (screened on Channel 7).
A non-religious community choir by nature, SWGC expresses a passion for music through its core repertoire of traditional spirituals and acapella gospel. Anyone who has been to one of our concerts will know that Ken's very physical conducting style, displaying his infectious and unbridalled enthusiasm, was as much a feature of SWGC performances as the singing itself!
Tracy Lundberg (2000 - 2001)
Andrew Bissett (1998-2000)
Tanya Smith (1997)
Andrew Bissett (1996)
Andrena Gorman (1995)
NOTE: this page is still being constructed.... more details on previous conductors appearing here soon!
