A wild storm with wind, rain and lightning leading to a town-wide blackout only added to the excitement and drama of the Australian Vocal Ensemble concert at Warren’s Catholic Church last week. 

The performance was part of a regional tour by the chamber ensemble, which was formed in 2021 by acclaimed vocalist Katie Noonan to satisfy a yearning to sing with others. Alongside Noonan (soprano), the a capella group consists of Fiona Campbell (mezzo soprano), Andrew Goodwin (tenor) and Andrew O’Connor (bass-baritone). 

With her infectious enthusiasm and contacts in the music world, local musician Frances Evans was successful in persuading the Brisbane-based AVE to include Warren in its latest tour. “I knew how amazing AVE was and felt sure the Warren community would appreciate what they had to offer,” Ms Evans said. 



Ms Evans is also the conductor of the newly formed community choir SING Warren, who, together with Cantando Sorelle from Dubbo, prepared two pieces to add to last Thursday’s concert. On Wednesday night, both choirs joined with AVE for a choral workshop, led by Andrew O’Connor, where vocal exercises were interspersed with an intense breakdown of both pieces in preparation for the following night’s performance. 

ABOVE: Warren's Catholic Church provided excellent acoustics for the concert. Photo Belinda Dimarzio-Bryan. 

Twenty four hours later as dark clouds built outside the church, the large audience gradually settled, and the four members of AVE gathered in front of the alter, starting the performance with an introduction by Katie Noonan. 

“AVE is only young but we have big ideas! We have already commissioned works from many composers including Richard Tognetti, Ian Grandage and Stephen Leek, set to the poetry of acclaimed Australian writer, David Malouf. We plan on being an elite chamber ensemble of international excellence, but one that is warm and welcoming to all,” Ms Noonan said.  

“One of our missions is to champion, create, commission and share Australian music. We also love to support both new and established composers and to perform their work around the country and alongside local choristers and First Nations people. We have so enjoyed our time on this tour and already feel so lovingly welcomed by the Warren community.”  

Presented in a relaxed atmosphere, the concert began, with each member of the ensemble taking turns to introduce items and occasionally engage directly with the audience, weaving through a repertoire of both classical and modern pieces. As expected, given the reputation of AVE the music was exquisite, with the audience completely absorbed as the music filled the cavernous space. 

Half way through the 13-piece program, the storm hit. Thunder rumbled, windows swung and lights flickered but the irrepressible group continued, with the wild weather outside only adding to the beauty and drama of the music within the church walls.  

The lights eventually went out completely, leaving the four ensemble members’ faces glowing in the lights of their Ipads, from which they were reading their music. “Do you feel safe? The show can go on if you do, thank goodness we have technology!” Andrew O’Connor said. 

ABOVE: The mid-concert blackout only added to the excitement and drama as community choirs from Warren and Dubbo joined in. Photo Belinda Dimarzio-Bryan. 

And the show did go on, with the limited lighting creating a magical mood, as the voices of the four vocalists soared above the audience and throughout the darkened church. Using Ipads and phone lights to read music, members of SING Warren and Cantando Sorelle joined AVE for the final two songs of the program, Down to the River to Pray and Peace I Leave with You, a reflective piece arranged by tenor Andrew Goodwin for his father’s funeral. 

Speaking after the performance, Frances Evans was brimming with excitement and praise. 

“How exciting was it when the lights went out! Warren has left an impression on the Australian Vocal Ensemble, just as they have left an inspired impression on us,” Ms Evans said. “They say ‘The show must go on!’, and despite the blackout the experience and professionalism of AVE shone, and the determination and enthusiasm of the combined community choirs delivered one of the performances of the year.”