Grandfather raises voice for choir

BUNDABERG, AUS — ERIC Elvery has always enjoyed singing, but
knows it will be an interesting experience when he joins a choir of
more than 500 other men this weekend.

The 79-year-old will be taking part in Pemulwuy! National Male
Voice Festival in Brisbane from tomorrow to Monday which will see
boys and men from every Australian state in one of the largest
all-male choirs perform at QPAC’s concert hall.

The event will be extra special for Mr Elvery, as he will
performs alongside his son Malcolm and grandson Daniel.

“My grandson in Brisbane is in the Birralee Boy’s Choir,” Mr
Elvery said.

“The singers were all asked to bring along their fathers and
grandfathers.”

Pemulwuy, from whom the festival takes its name, was an
Aboriginal warrior and the finale piece tells of his story of great
strength and courage.

The concert features Brisbane’s ABC Classic FM choir of the
year, The Birralee Blokes, the Vocal Consort from Victoria and
members of the Gondwanda Children’s National Indigenous Choir.

The logistics involved in bringing such a large choir together
from across the country has been simple.

Mr Elvery said he had received the music and a CD with his part
of the songs on it.