Jennifer Barnes Artistic Music Director

Newcastle University Choir

Dr Jennifer Barnes will be the Artistic Musical Director for the Newcastle University Choir in 2009. Jennifer is well known to Hunter audiences for her solo performances in opera and oratorio.

Jennifer Barnes began her career with oratorio. She has built an impressive repertoire in this genre, ranging from popular works such as Handel's “ Messiah” and Bach's St. “Matthew Passion” to David Fanshawe's” African Sanctus “. She has performed as soloist with the Sydney Philharmonia, Newcastle University Choir, Newcastle City Choir and Gosford Philharmonia. Jennifer was a finalist in the 1999 City of Melbourne Song Recital Award , winning the Best Performance of an Australian Song and equal first in the Best Musical Partnership. Opera performance includes principal roles with Opera Hunter, Opera Queensland, Sydney Metropolitan Opera, Sound Construction Company, Sydney Festival and Opera Australia. In 1995, Jennifer won a CONDA for the best performance by a professional actress for her Opera Hunter Season as Cio-Cio San in Puccini's “ Madama Butterfly ”.Jennifer has been awarded a PhD. for her research into the operatic soprano voice. In 2008, Jennifer directed and conducted Leonard Bernstein's “Trouble in Tahiti” for Opera Hunter, in addition to performing the role of Cleopatra in their production of Handel's “ Julius Caesar” : Jennifer also leads the organising committee for the Sunday Interlude concert series at Adamstown Uniting Church and conducts a private studio. The Choir looks forward to a dynamic and exciting year under her direction.

Philip John Sketchley OAM

B. Mus. Ed., D.S.C.M., L. Mus. A., L.T.C.L.

Accompanist Newcastle University Choir 2009

Philip was born in Lismore, beginning his musical studies at the age of seven. His family moved to Newcastle in 1958 and after gaining his Leaving Certificate at Newcastle Boy's High School he entered the Newcastle Conservatorium Diploma of Music Education course. He graduated in 1968 with a Dip. Mus. Ed., L.T.C.L.., L. Mus. A., and taught in various high schools and at the Conservatorium. In 1993 he was appointed Hall and Concert Manager at the Conservatorium.

During his 25 years of Secondary School teaching he was involved in all aspects of music education and its promotion in the community. He was music consultant for the Newcastle region for three years as well as the coordinator for the Secondary Choral festival and a member of the Committee for the Australian Society for Music Education.

Philip is well known as a pianist, conductor and musical director, having been involved with many local music groups: these include Lake Macquarie Music Society and Eisteddfods, Opera Hunter, Cameo Productions, Nova Chorale Ladies choir, Club 71 Dinner Theatre, Secretary of the Friends of the Conservatorium, Newcastle City Eisteddfod, Newcastle Mattara Festivals, Shakespeare Mozart and Company, “After Five “Cabaret Ensemble and many local concerts, charity events and music promotions. Philip has been an adjudicator at many eisteddfods and an examiner for HSC music examinations.

Philip continued his musical studies during this time and gained the Diploma of the State Conservatorium of Music, studying with Carmel Lutton, as well as Bachelor of Music Education degree and he undertook a study tour to the Franz Liszt Academy in Budapest , Hungary in 1974.

In 1991, Philip was awarded the Quota Club Citizen of the Year Award for his services to the community and in 1992 was presented with a City of Newcastle Service Award for sharing of musical talents and his contribution to music education in the local region. He has been involved in many performing art events – managing, promoting and implementing programmes in his desire to see the arts, and in particular music, develop in the hunter Region. In 2003 Philip was awarded the Centenary of Federation Medal for services to the community through fundraising, celebrations and the sharing of musical talent. In August 2003, Philip travelled to Finland as accompanist for the Waratah Girls Choir at the 5 th International Choral Sympaatti , and in 2006 was accompanist to the Choir on their Canadian tour. The University of Newcastle awarded Philip the Exceptional Service medal in 2004. The citation for his Exceptional Service medal included the following “ Philip is a great ambassador for the Conservatorium and provides the University with a valuable link to the Community. His passion for his work is infectious “

The Conductor of the Conservatorium Symphony orchestra recently described Philip as ‘the glue that holds together the Newcastle music scene ‘ . Philip is still actively involved in community music activities including the Interludes Music program at the uniting Church Adamstown, Musical Matinees, Artistic Director – Port Stephens, and the “ Lemon Drops “ concert party, which performs at nursing homes for the aged.

Philip retired from the University Conservatorium in 2006 where he managed the Concert Hall, Concert programmes and associated activities at this venue, which is one of the finest performance spaces in Australia .

In 2008, Philip was awarded the medal of the order of Australia ( OAM ) for ‘ Service to the community of Newcastle and the Hunter Valley area through music as a performer, director, fundraiser and teacher.'

  In 2009 Philip was appointed accompanist for the Newcastle University Choir.

Newcastle University Choir: 30 Proud Years

The Newcastle University Choir first began rehearsals in 1977 under the baton of Ulric Burstein. The first concert occurred in May,1978, Verdi’s Requiem, to an audience of 200 people. Soloists included Pearl Berridge and Lauris Elms from the Australian Opera. From these humble (but challenging) beginnings, the Choir grew rapidly to become the premier adult choir in the Hunter Region, with the assistance of some excellent conductors. When Ulric Burstein resigned in 1980, Peter Brock became the conductor, leading the Choir for 20 years until retirement in 1998. Kevin Cameron then lead the Choir until 2001 when. Christopher Allan took up the role of both conductor and artistic musical director. Between 2004 and 2006 Peter Ellis, became artistic musical director.	Ulrich Burstein
The Choir has performed works from the 16th to the 20th Centuries Composers have included Bach (St John Passion, St Matthew Passion, Christmas Oratorio), Verdi (Requiem), Britten (War Requiem, Ceremony of Carols), Handel (Messiah, Israel in Egypt), Haydn (Creation) Mozart (Requiem), Boyd (Coal River) and Brock (Five Australian Folk Songs), just to name a few. Repertoire has included support from orchestra, organ, brass band, piano, percussion, and unaccompanied.
Performance with other choral groups have also enhanced our musical activity. These include the Hunter Singers, the Waratah Girls Choir, The Goulburn Consert of Voices, and the NBN Children’s Choir, Waratah Brass, and the Dungeon Big Band. Throughout the 30 years, The Choir has had hundreds of people as members, all with one common love, choral music. Members come from all walks of life. Many stay with the choir for only a short time. Others have sung in every concert for more than 30 years. Membership of the Choir is open to anyone who can carry a tune and who enjoys singing with others.

Newcastle University Choir at Sydney Opera House

Newcastle University Choir at Harold Lobb Memorial Hall Newcastle Conservatorium of Music