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Di & Kath
Kath Morgan, born in
Colchester, came out to Australia by ship with her family when she
was 10 years old. There was always music in the home, and Kath
began her life-time passion of recorder playing at age six.
As a youngster, life
in the antipodes was spent in Melbourne, where Kath came into contact
in the late 70s with the music of Alan Stivell whose album
Renaissance of the Celtic Harp made a huge impact upon
her.
At Art College Kath
developed a great fondness for art and drama, and her beloved
recorder was always at hand. She spent around ten years in rock band
circles in Sydney and moved to Dubbo 30 years ago.
Di Clifford grew up
on a farm at Eugowra (Ben Hall country) and also heard music from a
young age. She still fondly recalls the sweet tones of The Weavers
on the wireless from around 1952!
At Bathurst Teachers
College she enjoyed the wonderful music education through Choir
experiences and has established school choirs wherever she taught in
central western NSW.
Virago unpacking their new CD
Kath and Di met at
Dubbo Folk Club in 1991 and soon realised that singing together, and
with others, was very rewarding and loads of fun. Five vocalists
formed the a'capella group known as Red Dust Rising which
entertained local causes around Dubbo, followed by the creation of
Virago, a trio with Jane Harding in 2005. Jane later moved
to Victoria so the duo now carries on in Dubbo with its distinctive
Celtic/modern/comedic influences being mainly a'capella, but with
some instruments incorporated where appropriate.
Virago has
entertained people at concerts, weddings and community events
locally, as well as blackboard concerts at festivals near and far.
A Virago tour
of central western NSW in 2005 was well received, and Virago also was
the Artist in Residence act at the inaugural Moorambilla
Festival in 2006.
Regular performances
and vocal workshops are delivered at Gulgong's annual Folk Festival.
Other performances
include special work at Sing Cockatoo in 2010, and delivering
Sing Dubbo in 2012, with Christina Mimmocchi
Virago has
supported acts such as Martyn Wyndham-Read, Beeswing, The Christine
Wheeler Trio, Bruce Watson and Witches Leap.
The recording of its
eponymous album has been the main project for 2019. This has seen an
official album Launch planned for Dubbo on November 3rd, morphing
into a folk music concert, with the support of musical mates from
Dubbo and Orange.
Virago continues to
add ideas, material and different activities to its routine, and
delights in feeling supported by loyal musical friends around NSW and
beyond.
Aims of the Bush Music Club, as given in the Editorial in
Singabout 1(1) January 1956 - to popularise Australian folk song
and to encourage the composition of a new kind of song - one
that is traditional in style but contemporary in theme.
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Duke's Place,usually 2nd
Fridays February to December, 7.30 for 8pm start -
concert is followed by a session.
$10, BYOG and a
contribution for supper
enquiries
Sandra 9358 4886
www.bushmusic.org.au
http://bushmusicclub.blogspot.com.au/
Bush Music Club
Tritton Hall, Hut 44
Addison Road Centre
142 Addison Road, Marrickville
Map of Addison Road
Centre https://addiroad.org.au/visit-us/ Park in the carpark and
follow the path on the right side of the big hall - the Hut
is across the grass, decorated with dancers & musicians.
Duke's Place, named
after our honoured early member Harold 'Duke' Tritton
(1886-1965), is the place to go once a month for a great
night of Australian songs in concert and session. Duke was
a powerful singer who supplied BMC with many songs he had
learnt in his younger days while working as a shearer and
at other bush jobs. He was also a songwriter and poet
giving us songs that have entered the tradition such as
Sandy Hollow Line and Shearing in the Bar.
~~~~~~~~~~(Photos © Sandra Nixon)
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