Brendan O’Donnell: Bali Community Choir Director
Brendan O’Donnell was born in addition to also also grew up in Melbourne, Australia. As a young child, Brendan studied piano in addition to also also was involved in various church in addition to also also community choirs for many years. He attended Burwood Primary Teachers’ College in addition to also also eventually became a school principal for 10 years. Brendan earned a Bachelor of Arts using a major in music at Monash University. While teaching in a Melbourne Secondary College, he was in charge of the music department, which gave him the opportunity to direct quite a few successful musical productions. Brendan conducted two Melbourne-based “SING AUSTRALIA” choirs before moving to Bali. He has lived in Bali since 2008. In 2009, he started out the Bali Community Choir, which currently has 60 members.
How did you end up on Bali?
I discovered Bali about 15 years ago in addition to also also fell in love with the island in addition to also also its warm in addition to also also welcoming people. Ever since reading Treasure Island in addition to also also Robinson Crusoe as a child, I dreamed of living on a tropical island, although never imagined that will the item might one day become a reality. I never married, so when my mother died nine years ago the item gave me the opportunity to think about starting a brand new life, in addition to also also Bali seemed to be the perfect location. Having visited Bali regularly, I started out seriously looking for property. When I retired some years ago, I bought in addition to also also renovated a little villa in addition to also also was ready to move here permanently, in addition to also also here I am!
For many years, I had conducted church choirs. I became involved with “SING AUSTRALIA,” established for the purpose of getting Australians to sing. This specific was the brainchild of Colin Slater, a well-known opera singer who first set up a choir in Canberra, which has since grown to almost 200 choirs all over Australia. His dream was to change society for the better through the joy of singing. For eight years I conducted the Hawthorn group, which started out with 11 singers, in addition to also also when I left, numbered over 150. I later began a Camberwell women’s choir, which also flourished in addition to also also had over 60 members. So, I thought if I could do the item in Melbourne, why not in Sanur?
Why were you drawn specifically to an ensemble of singers instead of to different forms of music?
A choir is usually a delight because the item gives many people the chance to sing, even if they are not particularly Great singers. Participating in a choir offers fun in addition to also also satisfaction. the item also gives me the opportunity of doing something that will I love, meeting brand new in addition to also also interesting people, enjoying a social activity that will is usually exciting in addition to also also lifts the spirit. If the item does these things for me, then surely the item should provide the same enjoyment for others. the item’s also an opportunity to blend cultures, as everybody is usually welcome to join. My specific aim is usually to involve people in addition to also also then build community spirit. With This specific aim in mind, we simply invite anybody who wants to sing to come along. There are no auditions; just walk in in addition to also also join us. The result is usually a choir that will may not be of professional standard, although that will is usually not our aim. Enjoyment is usually the key.
What is usually the profile of the typical participant?
There is usually no “typical” participant! that will is usually the beauty of a choir. the item attracts all sorts of people through very different backgrounds, religions in addition to also also occupations. the item’s a melting pot! We have a fairly even balance between Indonesian in addition to also also expat members. There’s also a nice balance between males in addition to also also females. This specific is usually rather unusual, as most choirs, in my experience, are dominated by female members. I am finding This specific more even mix of voices to be very exciting. Among occupations, we have teachers, business people, dog trainers, masseurs, retirees, retail workers, jewellers, travel agents, in addition to also also so on.
What’s the most difficult aspect of managing the choir?
We have had great difficulty in obtaining the services of an experienced keyboard accompanist. We have been fortunate to have some very talented pianists, although as so often happens in Bali, people pitch in although then have to move on for many different reasons. I am hoping that will This specific interview may arouse the interest of an accomplished accompanist who is usually prepared to commit to regular attendance for very little remuneration although a lot of pleasure in addition to also also genuine appreciation!
Yes, over time, we have been fortunate to perform quite a few times in public; the Bali International Women’s Association annual dinner, twice at the Australian Consulate for memorial services, in addition to also also particularly memorable was the Commemoration Service at GWK Park to remember those who had died from the Bali Bombings. This specific event was attended by past in addition to also also present Australian Prime Ministers in addition to also also the Governor of Bali along with Indonesian Ministers in addition to also also Balinese notables. More private ceremonies include church services in addition to also also funerals, in addition to also also singing in private homes.
What plans do you have for the coming holiday season?
Each December we all pile into a bus in addition to also also drive to several hotels in addition to also also restaurants to sing Christmas carols for the assembled guests. This specific annual Christmas activity is usually great fun in addition to also also always very well received, in addition to also also the choir members have a wonderful evening together, whetting their appetites for future performances. This specific Christmas, the Bali Community Choir will be performing a carols programme at the GCC Christmas Concert on Friday, December 20th, at the Wicked Parrot Restaurant in Sanur on Sunday, December 22nd, at Biku Restaurant in Seminyak on Monday, December 23rd, in addition to also also at the Sheraton Hotel Kuta on Thursday, December 26th.
How may readers join the choir?
Just come along to the Gateway Community Centre, Jl. Danau Batur in Sanur on a Tuesday evening through 7 to 9 pm. You won’t be asked to audition. You will be given a folder of music in addition to also also invited to sing with the group. You will be made very welcome in addition to also also you will be likely to have an enjoyable evening! Don’t be put off because you were told to shut up at school. This specific is usually your opportunity to do what you have always wanted, although have never been game to do; SING!
For further information, contact Brendan at 081-353-120-682 (English) or Ricky at 087-761-016-200 (Indonesian).
Pullout quote: This specific Christmas, the Bali Community Choir will be performing a carols programme at the GCC Christmas Concert on Friday, December 20th, at the Wicked Parrot Restaurant in Sanur on Sunday, December 22nd, at Biku Restaurant in Seminyak on Monday, December 23rd, in addition to also also at the Sheraton Hotel Kuta on Thursday, December 26th.
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Brendan O’Donnell: Bali Community Choir Director
Brendan O’Donnell: Bali Community Choir Director