Bel a cappella
Directed by Anthony Pasquill
“The singers of Bel a cappella are sterling representatives of the great tradition of music making in this country. Their season opener demonstrated outstanding ambition and commitment to composers old and new, international and home-grown.” — Limelight Magazine
Established in 1995 by members of Sydney University Musical Society, Bel a cappella has continued to attract experienced singers keen to explore more demanding and diverse repertoire and reach the highest possible standard. The choir has an extensive repertoire list ranging from Gregorian chant right through to twentieth-century music with a particular focus on Australian composers.
Although they specialise in a cappella repertoire, they also regularly perform with piano, organ or small ensembles to offer a variety of musical experiences for their loyal audiences. Bel a cappella has participated in numerous significant choral events over the years, including the 2008 Sydney A Cappella Festival, the 2009 Blackheath Choir Festival and the 2010 Choralfest Biennial National Conference of the Australian National Choral Association. In 2015 the choir partook on their first overseas tour to Italy, Slovenia and Vienna, singing at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome and St. Mark's Basilica in Venice. In 2018 the choir returned to Europe and sang in Berlin, Leipzig, Dresden, Prague, Bratislava, Budapest and Krakow.
Bel a cappella were due to perform at the 2020 Bowral Autumn Music Festival but due to COVID-19 the festival was forced to cancel. Sadly the choir's 2021 tour to Sweden, Finland, the Baltic states and Russia has also been delayed. We are keeping our fingers crossed Bel a Cappella will be able to sing at BAMF 2022 together with the talented boy treble, Michael Alsop-Orchard.
For further information visit:
www.belacappella.org.au
Image © David Goodwin
Michael Alsop-Orchard
Boy treble
Michael is a keen musician from Goulburn, NSW. He is studying Grade 5 piano and organ with his teacher Barbara Griffin. He is a keen Cathedral Chorister at St Saviour’s Cathedral, has studied under Paul Paviour OAM and appeared in choral concerts he has conducted. Michael attended the Royal Society of Church Music’s Sydney Inspired Event in 2019, and has studied under the great church music composers Barry Rose, and John Rutter.
Although he is only 12, 'Mikey' has played lead roles in two musical theatre productions. In 2018 he played Cuddlepie in the musical version of May Gibb’s “Snugglepot and Cuddlepie”, as well as the lead role in “Oliver” in 2019 with the Rocky Hill Musical Theatre Society.
He has also worked extensively with Barbara Griffin to produce Online Cathedral Services, including shooting and editing video, and professionally recording music.
He is a student at Trinity Catholic College in Goulburn. His other interests include mechanics, old cars and machinery, motorcycles, animals, and tae-kwon-do.
Image © Barbara Griffin