Callie & Sydney Women's Vocal Orchestra

Subject: Callie & Sydney Women's Vocal Orchestra
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 23 Mar 02 - 07:03 AM

G'day,

I've just got back from a brief visit to the Loaded Dog Folk Club, in Annandale, Sydney (from next month, being run by Sandra in Sydney). One of the featured acts was theSydney Women's Vocal Orchestra ... directed by Callie, (who otherwise sings with Triantan or with the Solidarity Chorus)

The Sydney Women's Vocal Orchestra sing from the repertoire of a group of women prisoners of the Japanese, during WW II: one song; a hymn (The Captive's Hymn (~?), written by a missionary who was one of the woman prisoners but, otherwise, vocal arrangements or orchestral pieces, painstakingly remembered and pieced together on hidden scraps of paper ... and taught to other women, many of whom had little or no musical training.

The group learned a small part of their arrangements for a performance marking the 60th anniversary of the Fall of Singapore ... but they have stayed together, are aiming to learn all 20 orchestral pieces and have been invited to sing in overseas festivals of women's voices.

I'm not surprised ... the two pieces I heard (the second was Bolero) came over marvelously in the live acoustics of the Loaded Dog, and the effects were really well down, considering there were only 12 singing in orchestral items.

Congratulations Callie!

Regards,

Bob Bolton

Subject: RE: Callie & Sydney Women's Vocal Orchestra
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 24 Mar 02 - 05:34 AM

Errr ... G'day again ... ,

Relying on the grey pulp again proves dubious ... Sandra reminds me that Callie's vocal (apart from occasional guitar or vihuela) group is actually Touchwood whilst Triantan is her friend Miguel Heatwole's group ...

Regard(les),

Bob Bolton

Subject: RE: Callie & Sydney Women's Vocal Orchestra
From: Giac
Date: 24 Mar 02 - 09:53 AM

Hi, Bob --

Sidney's a bit of a drive ~;o)) so I'm wondering if there are CDs of either group available? Sounds intriguing, thanks for the information.

Mary

Subject: RE: Callie & Sydney Women's Vocal Orchestra
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 24 Mar 02 - 10:07 PM

G'day Giac,

The group only formed to interpret a sampling of the original material for the 60th anniversary of the Fall of Singapore. Since then they have realised what potential it has ... and now have the task of learning about 18 more unique vocal arrangements ...

Then they will make a recording (apart from the mini-disc recording made from the audience by a techo friend).

I'll try to remember to get back when they do their CD! I certainly hope to hear more of them in the near future. (Of course, Callie will probably have something to say if and when their is a CD to push!)

Regards,

Bob Bolton

Subject: RE: Callie & Sydney Women's Vocal Orchestra
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 25 Mar 02 - 07:36 AM

Giac

Touchwood has a CD & I'm sure it was listed on Mudcatter's CD's sometime back. I'm so new to this game I haven't tried searching - if you can't find details, just send her a message.

The CD is called The Great City & is fantastic. They are a trio who do mainly a'capella songs - ranging from medieval to their version of pop songs.

Sandra

Subject: RE: Callie & Sydney Women's Vocal Orchestra
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 25 Mar 02 - 09:56 PM

G'day Sandra,

I knew of Touchwood's CD ... but I presumed Giac was after the Sydney Women's Vocal orchestra - and that CD is a little way off ... (We should ask Callie.)

Regards,

Bob Bolton

Subject: RE: Callie & Sydney Women's Vocal Orchestra
From: Giac
Date: 25 Mar 02 - 10:02 PM

Thanks all for the responses. Yes, Bob, please let us know when the new CD materializes. And, Sandra in Sydney, thanks for the info about Touchwood. I should be able to track it down. Appreciate the help.

Mary

Subject: RE: Callie & Sydney Women's Vocal Orchestra
From: Callie
Date: 26 Mar 02 - 12:03 AM

Hello all

I used to be a Mudcat regular and only nowadays check back occasionally - and glad I did!!

Thanks for your good words Bob and Sandra.

Mary: thanks also for your interest. The group has only been together since January and the music is challenging. We won't be recording until the end of this year, but I can let you know when this happens if you like.

I'm not sure where you are - if you're in the UK, you may be able to hear our performances at the Raise Your Spirits festival in July in Staffordshire.

If you're interested in the story of the women, I can recommend the diaries of Betty Jeffrey, published as "White Coolies" and the film "Paradise Road" inspired by the diaries. The film should be available on video.

If you want to check out Touchwood (nothing to do with the Vocal Orchestra, except for 2 common members!), the website is www.touchwoodweb.com

best wishes to you all!

Callie

Subject: RE: Callie & Sydney Women's Vocal Orchestra
From: Chicky
Date: 26 Mar 02 - 12:38 AM

Hihi All

Greetings from another member of the Vocal Orchestra and Touchwood!

For folk that are interested in the background to this amazing music, a visit to the following sites may be worthwhile:

Paradise Road - The Story
Paradise Road - The Real Women
Paradise Road - A Guide for Historians

Cheers

Subject: RE: Callie & Sydney Women's Vocal Orchestra
From: Helen
Date: 10 Apr 02 - 06:56 PM

Upcoming gigs for Touchwood (from their website which Callie mentioned)

April 12 -- 8pm Troubador Folk Club, Woy Woy
April 13 -- 8pm Pepperina (37 Bolton Street, Newcastle)
April 25 - 28 -- St. Albans Folk Festival
May 2 -- 7pm Borders books, Macquarie Centre
May 17 -- Merry Muse, Canberra (with Jigzag)
June 1 -- Whistle Stop Cafe, Thirlmere
June 15 -- 1pm Borders books, Skygarden

I saw the Newcastle gig advertised in our local paper so now I am rounding up as many people as I can to go and see them. I missed them at St Albans last year, but maybe I'll be lucky enough to be there at the right time this year. I did get to meet Callie, very briefly - but I can't remember whether it was last year or the year before.

Helen