Excitement hits fever pitch as Choral Fanfare state final tickets go on sale

• Five primary school and five secondary school choirs selected for state final
• Almost 10,000 students from 137 state schools participated in this year’s festival
• Tickets for 2023 final concert now on sale

Photos of the state finalists are available here.

Choral Fanfare is back on stage in 2023 with five primary and five secondary school choirs being selected for this year’s state final.

Almost 10,000 students from 213 choirs took part in a series of regional festivals held across Queensland, with the final ten choirs set to perform in Brisbane next month.

The biennial Choral Fanfare program began in 2001 and gives students an amazing opportunity for performance experience, development of teamwork skills and well-deserved recognition.

Choirs of all levels take part in regional festivals to gain valuable experience as well as receive feedback from professional adjudicators and watch other choirs perform.

The state finalists will now perform for adjudicators at the primary and secondary state final concerts at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University on Tuesday 22 August 2023.

This year’s performance has added significance, with the state final set to be held live for the first time since 2019.

Tickets to the Fanfare 2023 primary and secondary state final concert are now on sale and can be purchased online through QTIX.

Quotes attributable to Education Minister Grace Grace:

“I am delighted to see Choral Fanfare return to the stage this year. After watching it online in 2021, it is wonderful to see these amazingly talented young people back in the spotlight where they belong.

“To be given an opportunity to perform as one of 10 choirs at the state final is quite an achievement and I commend all 213 choirs who performed at regional festivals this year.

“Queensland state schools’ reputation in the field of music is outstanding and it is extremely exciting to see the level of interest in school-based choral music programs.”

Further information:

Primary school state finalists

Brookfield State School (Brisbane) Senior Choir

Fitzgerald State School (Mackay) Senior Choir

Kurwongbah State School (Moreton Bay) Kurwongbah Senior Singers

The Gap State School (Brisbane) Senior Choir

Wilston State School (Brisbane) Wilston Wonders Senior Choir

Secondary school state finalists

Cairns State High School (Cairns) Chorale

Centenary Heights State High School (Toowoomba) Li'l Ensom

MacGregor State High School (Brisbane) Vocal Harmony

Mansfield State High School (Brisbane) Chorale

Pimlico State High School (Townsville) Pimlico Voices

Quotes attributable to School Principals:

PRIMARY

Quotes attributable to Brookfield State School Principal Leanne Duncan:

“Our senior choir students and their parents are incredibly humbled and incredibly excited by the news that we are state finalists. It is a testament to the quality, support and passion for music our conductor has.

“The opportunity to have a choral program that extends from Year 1 to Year 6 across two highly committed and skilled staff gives our students the opportunity to participate in a junior, intermediate and senior choirs. Performance opportunities are also structured part of this program both across school community and outside our gates.”

Quotes attributable to Fitzgerald State School Principal Tracey Adams:

“We are very honoured to receive this award. Our choir, conductor and accompanist have applied themselves with great enthusiasm throughout the first semester to put this performance together. Everyone really enjoyed performing for the adjudicators, parents and fellow students and sharing their love of singing.

“The Senior Choir have performed this year at the Kodaly Mackay Choral Festival as part of a multi-school massed choir and the Regional Fanfare Finals in Mackay.

“Students are also looking forward to performing in the school cultural evening and the Mackay Eisteddfod this term. This is the second time that a Fitzgerald Senior Choir has been invited to perform at the Creative Generation Choral Fanfare State Final, the previous time being in 2019."

Quotes attributable to Kurwongbah State School Principal Leanne Odorico:

“The Kurwongbah State School community are extremely proud of our Senior Singers’ selection as state finalists for the 2023 Choral Fanfare.

“The students have put in many hours of practice and commitment to their choral development with the support of Mrs Curcuruto, music teacher and Mr Martin, accompanist. Our students thoroughly enjoy sharing their love of singing and performance.”

Quotes attributable to The Gap State School Principal Joanne Nicholls:

“Our whole school community is simply thrilled that our Senior Choir has been selected as a state finalist. We feel great pride, not just in the hard-working students, but in our staff as they work tirelessly to provide the joy and all the great benefits that come from singing in a choir.

“The Gap State School values choral work, with an enthusiastic parent support group, a talented conductor, excellent accompanists and a strong classroom music program building the important foundations. Singing in our choirs provides a sense of belonging and community as well as promoting a feeling of wellbeing and that is so important for our children."

Quotes attributable to Wilston State School A/Principal Rochelle Burton:

“We feel incredibly honoured and excited to be selected for the Choral Fanfare State Finals. In rehearsals, our choirs have the motto "Reach for the Stars" and here we are!  It will be a fantastic experience for our students to sing at the Queensland Conservatorium and hopefully see the other choirs perform and learn from them.  Our Wilston Wonders can't wait for the final as they love to sing and share their talents through performance. 

“The fact that our open senior choir has achieved such success is even more special as we value diversity and inclusion, welcoming all students who want to sing, into this ensemble. Music has the power to bring us together and our whole school community will be excited to cheer us on!”

SECONDARY

Quotes attributable to Cairns State High School Principal Chris Zilm:

“Being one of the Queensland choirs selected for the final is such a great honour. Being able to travel from Cairns to learn from others and perform for others provides such a fantastic experience for our 82 young people - we are all very excited!

“We are so pleased to have our friends at Pimlico SHS meeting up with us in Brisbane will make it even more special! Regional Queensland is on its way Brisbane! Look out!”

 Quotes attributable to Centenary Heights State High School Principal Darren Cook:

“I am thrilled that our students have been selected as Choral Fanfare State Finalists and very pleased and proud that they are reaping the rewards of their hard work and commitment. Centenary Heights SHS has a strong tradition of music and choral excellence and singing is part of the fabric of our school culture.

“These students are a very close-knit group who love singing together and relish the challenge of singing more complex and meaningful pieces that can deeply impact an audience.  Included in their Choral Fanfare repertoire this year is a piece arranged by Centenary Heights SHS 2021 Graduate, Harrison Young.”

Quotes attributable to MacGregor State High School Principal Brendan Barlow:

“It is truly an honour for Vocal Harmony, one of four outstanding choirs at MacGregor High, to be recognised among the top five choirs in Queensland and I couldn't be prouder of our talented students and dedicated staff.

“The key staff member responsible for conducting and directing Vocal Harmony is Tamara Luski who is an outstanding musician, educator and a passionate supporter of music at our school.  She has been an integral part of our school community for a significant amount of time, and her dedication and expertise have greatly contributed to the success of our choral program.”

Quotes attributable to Mansfield State High School Principal Karen Tanks:

“I am extremely proud of our students and the Music Department. This is a reflection of their hard work, time and effort that they give every day. 

“Our students and teachers in the Music Department work hard, have fun and absolutely love what they are doing.” 

Quotes attributable to Pimlico State High School Principal Steve Baskerville:

“Myself and the wider school community are exceptionally proud of our students and staff for their efforts so far in Choral Fanfare 2023. The collegiality and support within the choir and the commitment to growth and improvement the students and teachers have thus far demonstrated is an example for all of us to aspire to.

“The Pimlico choral program provides students with opportunities to explore and develop their vocal skills through two choirs: Junior Choir and Pimlico Voices.  Students in the choral program have regular opportunities to collaborate with other musicians and staff. This is demonstrated in Pimlico Voices' Fanfare program which features Pimlico's Drumline ensemble as well as cellist, Year 10 student Keely Flynn. In the last twelve months, Pimlico Voices have been fortunate to work with visiting artists Topology, Paul Holley and Young Voices of Melbourne.   

"Pimlico Voices is an un-auditioned, mixed-voice choir for boys with changed voices in years 7 to 12, and girls in years 10 to 12. They are a very dedicated group of students, as demonstrated by their commitment to rehearsals at 7:15am on Monday mornings."

ENDS

Media contact – Daniel Webb – 0438 401 078