Narrandera’s community choir With One Voice Riverina had a successful night at the Leeton Eisteddfod, taking out first place in two categories, Open Choral Ensemble and Open Choral Australian Ballade, and once again taking home the prestigious Marion McAuslan Trophy.
They performed three pieces: “Seasons Of Love” from the musical Rent, “Amazing” by Alex Lloyd and an original composition by Narrandera’s own Peter Anthony “Parkside Cottage Museum”, with arrangement by Dr Sarah Penicka-Smith, which celebrates the history of Narrandera curated by the Museum.
When asked for comment, Peter Anthony said: “I was very surprised and happy to have Lizzie enter the composition in the Ballade section of the Eisteddfod and the choir were extremely supportive of performing Parkside Cottage Museum live with piano accompaniment by Mary Sutcliffe (OAM) for the very first time.
“The newcomers to WOV genuinely embraced the challenge and, along with other choir members who had recorded it previously, put a lot of time into some challenging parts that Dr Sarah Penicka-Smith arranged,” he said.
“Vic and Sarah from the Cad Factory sowed the seed of the idea of an original song about the Museum, so that future generations can hopefully learn from the past through song.”
The adjudicator for the evening was Dr Rachel Campbell, a passionate and highly sought-after music educator, adjudicator, examiner and choral director.
Dr Campbell has extensive experience as the director of many ensembles in Canberra, including the Australian Rugby Choir with whom she travelled to Cornwall in 2019 as a featured international choir at the Cornwall International Male Choral Festival.
She was also the specialist choral director and adviser to the ACT Department of Education through the ‘Step into the Limelight’ program (the ACT’s version of the Schools Spectacular), where she conducted a children’s chorus of 400 and directed the Featured Artists.
Commenting on With One Voice’s performance, Dr Campbell said “A good performance today, thank you. The phrasing was elegant. This was delightful and genuine. Well done!”
With One Voice is a community choir and welcomes anyone regardless of experience or perceived talent. There are no auditions and no judgement.
They exist to improve people’s lives through connection, community and music. They are not religiously affiliated but rehearse at the CRC Theatre on Bolton Street thanks to the kind generosity of the CRC Church.
Rehearsals are Tuesday nights at 6:30pm. Search With One Voice Riverina or contact them through Facebook Messenger.
This article appeared in Narrandera Argus, 21 August 2025.
