Wollongong Messiah Choir at Sydney Opera House

Wollongong Messiah Choir joined forces with almost 700 other singers for epic performances of Handel’s Messiah at Sydney Opera House.

The specially formed Wollongong Messiah Choir joined a cast of almost 700 singers, a full orchestra and international soloists in the Opera House for a performance of this much-loved work which tells the story of Christ’s life.

Two hundred and eighty years since it was first performed in Dublin in 1742, Handel’s Messiah remains one of the most loved pieces of classical music in the world, performed by hundreds of thousands of singers around the globe every Christmas.

This December it came alive in spectacular form, presented by Australia’s leading choral organisation on the country’s most renowned concert stage, conducted by the inimitable Brett Weymark, Music Director of Sydney Philharmonia Choirs.

“It’s been wonderful to bring singers from across the region and the University of Wollongong for regular rehearsals at UOW under the expert tuition of local Baritone, Hayden Barrington who has been leading rehearsals.  Many people will be familiar with elements of the Messiah, like the famous ‘Hallelujah Chorus’ but to sing the whole work – from memory – in Sydney Opera House is a major achievement, and something of a bucket-list event for many people who love to sing.”

David Francis

CEO, WollCon

The Wollongong Messiah choir joined other Sydney choirs: Symphony Chorus, Chamber Singers, VOX, Christmas Choir and Parramatta’s River City Voices to perform the piece from memory.

Biologist and writer Alison Haynes from the University of Wollongong joined the Wollongong Messiah Choir because she had previously sung the piece at school in England, in The Royal Albert Hall.

“I thought it was a rather nice symmetry to sing it again in the Sydney Opera House. It’s been very enjoyable, our choir leader Hayden has a light, friendly touch which has helped. It’s been a big commitment but I’m glad I’ve kept up.

“I like singing and making music as a group and that’s been the main benefit. I’m absolutely looking forward to the performances. I know it will be amazing to be part of a larger voice and it will be worth all the hard work.” Said Alison who is pictured above during a field trip to the Antarctic in 2020.

Another participant, ABC Radio broadcaster Melinda James said she was excited about the opportunity to sing the Messiah at the Opera House and couldn’t believe she didn’t have to audition.

“I can definitely sing in tune, but my voice is probably best suited to a choir involving several hundred fellow choristers. I’m not soloist material but I do have a deep love of choral music. The thing I’m most looking forward to is that physical, transcendental feeling of making music as one with hundreds of individuals, that feeling when all the cells in your body resonate and reverberate with the shifting harmonies. And to think it will all be happening in the new concert hall at the Opera House. I’m still pinching myself. I’m so grateful to the Wollongong conservatorium for getting involved and giving us the opportunity.”

Melinda James

Broadcaster, ABC Radio Illawarra

Altogether there were almost 700 singers on the Concert Hall stage at the Sydney Opera House.
With a sublime cast of soloists including Lorina Gora, Ashlyn Tymms, Nicholas Jones, and Morgan Pearse, and the Sydney Philharmonic Orchestra, it was a musical tour de force.

Sue is an accomplished and seasoned manager with a wealth of experience in government administration and community service delivery. With a strong background in strategic planning, organisational development, community engagement, project planning, and building strategic partnerships, Sue has consistently demonstrated her leadership and expertise and brings a wealth of knowledge to the board. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Business focusing on Local Government and Creative Industries from the University of Wollongong, reflecting her commitment to public service and innovative leadership. Sue’s extensive career and dedication to community and social service make her a valuable asset, offering both strategic insight and practical experience to drive meaningful impact.

Anne has been a member of the Wollcon Board since 2019. She holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts from UNSW. She is an Accredited Specialist in Family Law and an accredited Mediator and Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner. She has taught family law and other subjects at Wollongong University.

For a number of years she has been a subscriber to the Australian Chamber Orchestra which regularly performs in Wollongong . She has been passionate about music and in particular music education to children and adults.

Jake has worked in the disability sector for 24 years- 17 of these with Interchange and 7 years as their CEO. Jake is passionate about inclusion and equality for both people with disability and their carers.

He holds an MBA, Bachelor of Commerce, Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, as well as completing Diploma’s in Case Management, Community Services Coordination and the AICD Company Directors Course.

Jake is also a committee member on the International Short Breaks Association Board and has been a Director on the Wollongong Conservatorium of Music Board since 2022.

Wayne is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors as well as being a qualified company secretary and accountant with over 35 years experience in banking and finance. He performed for nine of those years as Chief Executive of IMB Ltd, and the preceding seven years as Company Secretary and Chief Financial Officer, also with IMB. Wayne’s primary expertise is in the areas of governance, management, accounting, risk management and banking and finance. He has spent his whole life living in the Illawarra and is passionate about ensuring the Illawarra can provide the best possible opportunities and lifestyle for its residents. In 2024 Wayne was awarded an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for services to the community.

Dr Terumi Narushima is a senior lecturer and Music Discipline Leader at the University of Wollongong. She is a composer, performer and sound designer specialising in microtonal tuning systems. Her works include Tritriadic Chimes, a sound installation for LA MicroFest, Hidden Sidetracks, a composition for custom-made instruments premiered by Ensemble Offspring at Sydney Opera House, and a project to build microtonal flutes using 3D printing. She has worked on theatre collaborations which have been presented nationally and internationally, including Yasukichi Murakami: Through a Distant Lens, Lost in Shanghai, and The Story of Chi. She performs with microtonal ensemble Clocks and Clouds, and her book Microtonality and the Tuning Systems of Erv Wilson is published by Routledge.

Nicky is the CEO of Community Industry Group. She has degrees in Dementia Care, Community & Environment and Marketing, and a Grad Dip in Project Management. She is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and an Honorary Fellow of UOW. In addition to Chairing the WollCon Board, she is Deputy Chair of the Regional Development Australia Illawarra Shoalhaven Board and an Independent Non-Executive Director of Warrigal, a large not-for-profit specialising in the provision of services for older people.

Her corporate governance and strategy experience extends through a 20+ year career on boards in the corporate, government and NFP sectors.