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 - Nomads at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, Eden (photo by Phil Houtzaager)
The Nomads choir is made up of singers from the Bega Valley. The choir aims to promote and perform choral works and foster an appreciation of, and interest in, choral singing by the public. The choir currently has around 40 members of varied experience ranging from classically trained to enthusiastic novices who have done nothing more than sing in the shower! The repertoire ranges from oratorios such as 'Elijah' by Mendelssohn or Haydn's 'Creation' to light opera such as Gilbert & Sullivan's 'The Mikado', 'Trial by Jury' and 'The Gondoliers and a variety of other songs.
John Sparks is the Nomads new Musical Director taking the place of William Hawkey, Emeritus Professor of Music at the ANU in Canberra, who was Musical Director from 2002 to 2007.
For information on joining the choir or forthcoming performances please contact Grahame Cross 6494 2067 email: canaderyn(at)bigpond.com
 - The Nomads presented their winter concert “Vivaldi and Friends” to an appreciative audience at Eden Marine High School on Sunday 20 July 2008 (photo by Phil Houtzaager).
The Nomads staged another successful performance, with over 60 people in Eden warming to their winter concert "Vivaldi and Friends", a collection of sacred and choral works ranging over 400 years of popular and classical music from the Renaissance right through to the 20th Century.
 - (L to R) John Sparks (Conductor), Libby Roberts, Olwen Morris, Leonie Hargreaves, Sue Cleverley, Donna Cotter, Mary Taylor (Accompanist) (photo by Phil Houtzaager).
LET YOUR HEARTS SING THIS WINTER!
For its Winter Concert the Nomads Choir is presenting a selection of sacred and choral works featuring the popular Vivaldi “Gloria”, complete with soloists, and Mozart’s well known “Laudate Dominum” for soprano and chorus. The second half of the “Vivaldi and Friends” program features choral pieces by Tallis, Schubert and Elgar amongst other well known works of the present day.
Refreshments will be served during the interval.
Do come, and have a very enjoyable afternoon or evening!
The Nomads had a great time at the Merimbula Jazz Festival on 8 June 2008 at the Uniting Church, sharing the stage with the Little Tab and Company Jazz Band and entertaining attendees with well loved Jazz and old time favourites.
This year the Nomads will be performing a wide variety of choral works, with something for everyone!
Wednesday April 16 Joining South Australia Co-Opera in their production of 'La Traviata'
Sunday June 8 Performing with the Little Tab & Co Jazz Band at the Merimbula Jazz Festival
Sunday July 20 Vivaldi and Friends (including Vivaldi's Gloria) at Eden High School, 2.30pm
Friday July 25 Vivaldi and Friends (including Vivaldi's Gloria) at Pambula Public School, 7.30pm
Saturday July 26 Vivaldi and Friends (including Vivaldi's Gloria) at Pambula Public School, 2.30pm
Sunday December 14 Service of Nine Lessons and Carols, Merimbula
Monday December 15 Service of Nine Lessons and Carols, Eden
Ashlea Jensen has been awarded a scholarship to sing with the Nomads Choir in 2008. This will provide her with a wonderful opportunity to extend her singing skills. She has sung with the Sydney Children’s Choir and now is a member of a school vocal group at Lumen Christi Catholic College, having had two years of singing lessons. “I love singing,” said Ashlea, “and this year with the Nomads will enable me to learn from the many talented people in the choir. I also enjoy playing music, especially the trumpet, and am very keen to pursue an artistic career. Next year I hope to go to Melbourne Uni to study a mixed degree in creative writing and film production.” Ashlea has already written one book which she hopes to publish in the near future. Besides her strong love for the arts her interests include animals (currently she has cats, chickens, and alpacas!), karate, gymnastics and youth group. “She is a talented student” said Rosie Young, Nomads President. “We are enjoying her participation in the choir and benefiting from it, and are pleased to be able to help her develop her artistic talents further.”
 - Nomads choir (photo by Phil Houtzaager)
Around 100 people joined with the Nomads choir in the Service of Nine Lessons and Carols at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, Eden, on 17 December 2007.
Many people commented on how wonderful the service had been. "The best ever carol service I have ever been to" said one young person, "I'll certainly invite my friends to come along next year!"
The Nomads have available for hire 35 copies of the musical score for Gilbert and Sullivan's The Gondoliers and a painted canvas backdrop "Scene of Venice" 9.5m wide, 6m deep. For further information please contact Grahame Cross, President, The Nomads Inc. Phone 02 6494 2067, email canaderyn(at)bigpond.com
 - Mary Taylor, Accompanist, with John Sparks, Musical Director (Photo by Phil Houtzaager)
John Sparks has been appointed as Musical Director and Conductor of the Nomads Choir, following the retirement of Professor William Hawkey MBE. John has studied viola, organ, musicianship, singing and teaching to a high level, and has extensive experience in composition, orchestration, and many musical productions.
“I strongly believe that choirs must be active and be seen and heard in the community regularly,” said John. “Music making is fun, and choirs should sing to the best of their abilities for the sheer enjoyment of music-making together. Singing is a great community building activity.”
John is presently teaching Music at Mumbulla (Steiner) School on a part-time basis, lectures a local University of the Third Age group in Music Appreciation, and is also a member of The Sapphire Coast Music Society.
The Nomads presented a rousing performance of Gilbert and Sullivan's well loved operetta THE GONDOLIERS at Wolomla Memorial Hall and Twyford Hall Merimbula at the end of July 2007.
Due to sickness of one of the soloists Professor Bill Hawkey stood in at the last moment to take on the role of the Duke of Plaza-Toro, a very fitting demonstration of his whole-hearted commitment to the Nomads in his last public performance with them.
Nomads Musical Director and Conductor Professor Bill Hawkey, accompanist Mary Taylor, Nomads President Rosie Young, Gondoliers Bruce Harvey and Jeremy Tatchell, along with representatives from Sponsors Chemworld Merimbula, Carbon Copy Printing and Waterfront Cafe.
Nomads and the Community
The Nomads choir is made up of people living in the local community. It supports local causes (for example some of the proceeds from its November 06 concert were donated to Imlay House), a small ensemble group is available to support local functions and the choir participated in the Merimbula Jazz Festival.
The Nomads also greatly value the support provided by its sponsors:
Amcal (Merimbula), Magpie Music (Bega), Robert Smith Complete Furnishers (Pambula), The Waterfront Cafe (Merimbula), Sautelle White Lawyers (Merimbula), Mrs Mac's Emporium (Pambula), and Carbon Copy (Pambula).
Any organisations interested in sponsoring the Nomads should contact Grahame Cross, 6494 2067
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