The Ipswich Orpheus Chorale Musical Director - Robert Shearer to lead the choir for the 2022 season. Robert has a wealth of knowledge, solid qualifications and experience in performance, musical theatre and choral singing having performed internationally and with many SEQ theatre companies including Opera Queensland.   We are very excited to be working with Robert in preparation for our 2022 program.

IOC Founder - George Hogg OAM





 Past and present members of the Ipswich Orpheus Chorale are remembering George Hogg, OAM with great affection, admiration and gratitude. He founded the Chorale in 1969 and his involvement has spanned 52 years.

Under George’s leadership, the Chorale grew to over 100 members and became one of the foremost choral bodies in the state, winning Champion Choir at many Queensland Eisteddfodau, singing at prestigious community events and staging many memorable musical productions.

After stepping down from his role as Conductor, George was President of the Chorale for many years and then served as a member of the Management Committee which he only relinquished this year.His love of music kept him singing with the choir until just a few weeks ago and the current Musical Director and Management Committee are fully committed to singing and performing in the building named in his honour – “The George Hogg Performance Centre’, and to keep the Ipswich Orpheus Chorale banner flying in his memory.


Leah Bell
President
Please come along to a rehearsal and Join Us

the show goes on - so come and join us

It is my honour to take on the role of President of the Ipswich Orpheus Chorale for 2022/23.  

I would firstly like to recognise the immense contribution of Leah Bell who is stepping down as President and is a founding member of the Chorale.  Leah’s contribution to the Chorale over 50 years has been enormous having been a Chorister, leading lady in musicals and part of the leadership of the association over that time most recently as President.  She is not finished yet taking on the role of Vice President for 2022/23.
My personal involvement with the Chorale commenced in 1978 at the tender age of 16 years when invited to join the chorale by founder, George Hogg, whilst singing at the Ipswich Junior Eisteddfod.  Over the years I have had the privilege of performing with this champion Chorale at the Queensland Eisteddfod, and in many musicals, concerts and theatre restaurants. 

As life returns to some level of normality post the pandemic the challenge for the Chorale is to breathe life into the performing arts of our wonderful city of Ipswich.  Over recent years we have had several false starts with the cancellation of the Queensland Eisteddfod in 2020 and 2021 as well as the Chorales concerts and musicals.  2022 got off to a great start with four practically sold-out performances of ‘Nunsense – The Musical’ in our own George Hogg Performance Venue.  The show was a great success and a credit to the cast, directors and crew.  The venue performance facilities for audience seating, sound and lighting have all been upgraded to make this intimate performance venue unique in Ipswich.
 
Not to rest on our laurels the next performance was Music for the Soul held at the George Hogg Performance Venue on the 25th of June.  The event showcased the Chorale and some of our magnificent soloists performing music from a diverse range of genres including musical theatre, popular standards, folk and classical. 

We are now in the final stages of preparing for our tribute concert to our founder George Hogg OAM.  This is shaping up to be a magnificent event featuring songs from some of the most memorable Broadway musicals that George either performed in or for which he was Musical Director over a 50-year career.  This will be our first event staged at the Ipswich State High School Performance Venue to be held on the 3rd of September.  It will be as how not to be missed and a chance to celebrate George's life.

Our final event of the year will be a Carols by Candlelight event to be staged in collaboration with St Mary's Church on the 18th and 19th of November.  Mark your diaries now

I look forward to the remainder of the year and being part of the exciting times ahead.


If you have ever wanted to sing come along and join us.  If you are interested please contact our president Ross on 0408 888 5080 or at president@ipswichorpheuschorale.org.au.