Author Archives: choir webmaster

Blackheath Choir Festival 2026

The Heathens are working towards their performance at this year’s Blackheath Choir Festival. For more information Blackheath Choir Festival.

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The Heathens Choir Live in Concert – a Night of Song

Step into a night of rich harmony and heartfelt song as the Heathens Choir presents an uplifting celebration of music and community. With over 50 passionate voices, the Heathens will take you on a journey through a vibrant repertoire of … Continue reading

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For seniors’ week a fun concert at Blackheath Golf Club featuring: 

• The wonderful Men’s Shed Band • And the ever enthusiastic Thursday at Ten (T@T)  Dementia Choir 3.30pm to 5.00pm Saturday 15th March

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Upcoming concert

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HEATHENS APPEAL – A BIG THANK YOU

We are especially grateful to the generous support of the following local businesses in our annual appeal which will go a long way to ensure the long-term viability of the choir as one of the Upper Mountains’ most valued cultural … Continue reading

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We’re back in 2024 with a change to our rehearsal times

The Heathens Choir returns at 3pm on Wednesday 31 January 2024 in Bates Hall. All are very welcome!

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Concert with Judy Small

A fundraiser for Blue Mountains Refugee Support Group

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Concert in support of Wittenoom cleanup

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Change in usual start back date for Term 1 2023

The first get together for Term 1 this year is at 2 pm on Wednesday 27 January in the Bates Hall, corner of the Great Western Highway and Gardners Crescent Blackheath. All very welcome.

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Stop Press. Leura gig 10.45am Sunday 09 Oct

The gig will go ahead as the forecast is now for less rain! Please assemble at 10.30 (warmed up) outside Belle Property Blue Mountains, just under half way down the Mall on the left hand side as you walk away … Continue reading

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Tickets now on sale:

Book online at https://events.humanitix.com/mic-conway-fundraiser Another upcoming concert:

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One week break

Please note that Chris & Mick are away next Wednesday, 21 Sep. Our next rehearsal is 2pm in Bates Hall on 28 September.

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We all know from experience that singing is good for us and makes us feel good:

Flow state, exercise and healthy ageing: 5 unexpected benefits of singing

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2022 start date

Wednesday 02 March, 2-4pm Phillips Hall Choristers need to be fully vaccinated, masks unnecessary but optional

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Delayed start to 2022

We have decided to postpone our start date to Wednesday 2 March 2022 but will review the situation with COVID and verify or update that information closer to that time.

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December 2021

We’re back in the singing business! Two rehearsals for this performance, the first on Wed 01 Dec and the second on Wed 08 Dec, both rehearsals in the Phillips Hall 2-4pm.

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Second term 2021 changes

We move to new premises this term. From Wednesday April 22 we rehearse in the Presbyterian Church Hall on Wentworth St from 1.30pm to 3.30pm. Please note the new times, half an hour earlier than previously. For those unfamiliar with … Continue reading

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Starting up in 2021

We hope to start rehearsals on Wednesday 3 February at the usual time, 2-4pm. At this stage government regulations restrict us to outdoor rehearsals, which are of course weather dependent. Please ensure you are on our email list to keep … Continue reading

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Christmas 2020 COVID Party

An enthusiastic group of 45 choristers turned up for our first physical gathering for 9 months due to COVID restrictions. We start next year on Wednesday 27 January. Could new and returning singers please advise Christine so she can add … Continue reading

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ANZAC Day

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On the move again .. Bates Hall

Chris has checked out the newly renovated Bates Hall – that’s the small hall in the Blackheath community centre, nearest to the Great Western Highway.  Its looking very smart after its new makeover (thanks Linda and the Hall committee) and … Continue reading

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The Heathens ‘Together in Song’ concert with the Sydney Street Choir – Springwood – Saturday, 11 April

Wow! What a fabulous afternoon. The wonderful MC, Phil Koperberg, launched the afternoon with great humour and a glowing introduction of The Heathens. Check out the photos here. Our first set included Ataturk Tribute which we were a little nervous … Continue reading

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Springwood concert – 11th April

Sydney Street Choir meets Blackheath’s community choir, The Heathens for a shared performance in Springwood on Saturday 11 April. Sydney Street Choir was formed in 2001 to connect with, inspire and empower homeless or disadvantaged people. For many of its … Continue reading

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The Heathens are on the move!

As you can see…we have out-grown our rehearsal space at Banc so from now on rehearsals will be held at the Uniting Church hall in Govetts Leap Road (walk down the drive past the church and through a gate to … Continue reading

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Fee payment by term

Some folks are saying they’d find it much easier to pay by the term, and of course we can accommodate that. We’ll just keep a note of who’s paid up front. If you’d like to pay for the rest of … Continue reading

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The Heathens Book

If you haven’t got your copy … The Heathens Book is available to buy for only $10 at Banc. It is a beautiful collection of stories of the lives of the choir members. Each story is magical, unique and generously … Continue reading

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Party season

Jan writes … We certainly spread the happiness at Morven Gardens yesterday. The residents loved our visit. The book launch and party  at Chris and Mick’s was, despite the noise of the torrential downpours drowning out our singing, a  fun … Continue reading

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May your voices …

“May your voices take springs there where fire burns. May your songs put roses there where battlefields lay. Open furrow and sow love to harvest fruits of hope. Sing to liberty where despot rule, Sing to equality where poverty nests, … Continue reading

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Invited Back

The Blackheath and District Horticulture Society have invited us back to perform at the Flower and Craft show next year.  Julie O’Keeffe wrote to Chris that “The Heathen’s performance at our show this year in early September was so enjoyed … Continue reading

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Heathens star in Rhodo Revue

Jan writes … So enjoyed the revue last night and particularly all those “Heathens” who performed!  We are very lucky  Heathens to be surrounded by such talent. What did touch me though was our Bella singing “Follow the Heron Home” … Continue reading

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Arrangements for BANC AGM

Monday 27th October Meet at the Presbyterian Church at 5:45pm for warm up and short rehearsal.  We perform at or soon after 6pm.  Please wear the usual colours purple, red and black. See you all then 🙂

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Mount Vic BBQ

The flags flying above you were made during the school holiday art workshops by children from Blackheath and Mount Victoria. Thanks from Jo at BANC

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Thank you from Rydal

On behalf of the Rydal Village Association I would like to thank you for your participation in Daffodils at Rydal 2014.This is the most successful year we have ever had. The combination of great gardens and good music certainly helps … Continue reading

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Thank you from the Flower and Craft show

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Daffodils at Rydal

Surrounded by a stunning garden, thousands of daffodils, welcoming hosts and an appreciative audience, The Heathens had the privilege of singing at Chapel House in Rydal as part of the Rydal Daffodil Festival. Many thanks to the organisers for the … Continue reading

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Note values and counting

Here are a few hints to help with understanding the timing of music. Firstly check the time signature.  If the top number is 4 or there is a big C (for common time) then you have to count four beats … Continue reading

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Flower and Craft show

A good time was had by all

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musical progression

Last week we looked at three different types of progression which you can follow in the music, even if you don’t actually read music. The simplest progression is a musical scale where the notes move from space-to-line and line-to-space and … Continue reading

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Know your range

I hope you all found the first little tutorial yesterday useful. Unless I am democratically overruled 😉 I will try to give a little musicology snippet at the start of each rehearsal. Once you understand your own musical range it … Continue reading

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Bob Rowe remembered

Mick writes that we have just learnt of the passing of one of our early Heathens, Bob Rowe, after a long battle with brain tumour that caused him to go blind. Bob was a pianist and singer who became more … Continue reading

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Arrangements for Friday

Please don’t forget to register.  The Bates Hall (park door) Registration Desk will be open from 3.30pm. 7:50-8:35 pm warm up / rehearsal in the Presbyterian Hall Wentworth St.  Please arrive in good time. Walk together to the Bates Hall, … Continue reading

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Mountain Devil

Chloe has been working up some ideas to find a logo for The Heathens.  The ideas are many and various, but amongst them this wonderful bit of creativity popped out. In case you didn’t realise it’s our local native plant, … Continue reading

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Every breath you take

Bella has some tips for breathing technique We all know that breathing correctly is essential for us all in the choir. How many of you have struggled to hold those beautiful long notes for some of our finales? Well, I … Continue reading

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Sing for your life – 6/6

All good things come to an end.  Frank has shared with us how singing makes you healthy, helps you to stay well and helps you to heal; how it makes you happy; and how its good for your baby (or … Continue reading

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Come together

Hi Chris, […]   I just had to say I agree with your sentiments from Saturday – we certainly are coming together. The Mountains can bring together quirky individuals  ( and I count myself as a “quirk”!!) and the group reflects … Continue reading

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Blackheath Choir Festival

Friday 22nd August:  Opening Concert (including The Heathens) at 7:30pm on Stage 1 in the Phillips Hall, Gardiner Crescent: Checkout the Festival website and buy some tickets here ($15) 🙂

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Photos from Loosely Woven concert

With many thanks to: Phillia for photos during the rehearsal(s) and to: Victoria’s Paul for the concert photos. Click this link to see the photos.

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Reminders for Sunday

Arrive by 9.20; enter via Gardiners Cres. 9.30 rehearsal with Christine for Heathens only 10.30 morning tea at rear of Hall 11.30 rehearsal with Heathens and Loosely Woven 1.00 Lunch; soup and bread in Hall 1.30 doors open on Park … Continue reading

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What to do with 10 grandchildren

Chris reports on what to do with 10 grandchildren under the age of 10, all staying at her house for a few freezing days in the school holidays. Take them bushwalking – anyone 4 years or older is officially old … Continue reading

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Boardroom Soirée

On Monday night the eleven male heathens – of good faith mind you – braved the elements and the height of Mick’s new brush fence to gain entry and meet for rehearsal around the grand boardroom-like table at the sprawling … Continue reading

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