For budding singers and choristers, it doesn’t get much better than performing at the Sydney Opera House.
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That is exactly what three talented young ladies – Tillyrose Armstrong, 9, from Nelson Bay; Nina Easthope, 10, from Salamander Bay; and Hannah McClafferty, 11, from Salamander Bay – will be experiencing next month.
The three girls are members of the Hunter Trebles, which is the junior choir of the Hunter Singers Choral Choir.
Both choirs have been selected to support Opera Australia performing Madame Butterfly on the Newcastle leg of its regional tour of NSW.
A special event was conducted on August 14 at the Civic Theatre in Newcastle. Hot on the heels of that performance, all three girls will be singing at the iconic Opera House in the Festival of Choral Music on September 24.
The trio can hardly hide their excitement.
For Tillyrose, the youngster of the Bay contingent, the expectation of appearing in front of huge audiences is just a little daunting.
“I'm very excited and a little nervous. But what I love most about performing in a choir is the support from the other singers," she said.
Also appearing for the first time at the Opera House is Hannah, who can’t wait to make her appearance. “I love to sing because it makes me feel free.”
This will be Nina's second performance at the Sydney landmark. “The last time we were there we had a tour of the Opera House which was really cool.”
Young singers in the Hunter Trebles participate in weekly rehearsals at Merewether High School, learning songs and singing techniques, music theory, playing games and having fun making music.
The Hunter Trebles are conducted by music teacher and Star Struck choir director, Charissa Ferguson.
They are celebrating 27 years of music making, and membership is open by audition for students in Years 3-6 at government primary schools.
Students who would like to audition for Hunter Trebles are invited to go along to a rehearsal where they cna join in with the group.