A Brief History of Tamworth Clarinet Choir

When the Choir's founder Mr.W.J.(Bill)Forrest attended on international Clarinet Symposium in Sydney in 1974 he heard for the first time a Clarinet Choir assembled by the renowned American teacher Mitchell Lurie form the student participants. The sound was beautiful and Bill was determined to create a permanent choir, not associated with a School of Music or University, in Australia, so that people of any age, and of almost any standard, could participate.

Between 1982 and 1986 Alto Clarinets, and a rare Contrabass Clarinet had found their way to Tamworth. Together with the standard instruments, the Bass, B flat soprano and E flat soprano clarinets, the entire range of a Clarinet Choir was now covered the Tamworth Clarinet Choir had been born.

Since its establishment, over 120 players have passed through the Choir and some have gone on to become professional players and teachers. The Choir has a library of over 300 works, ranging form classics by Bach and Mozart, to "Pop" music, jazz, marches, musical comedy and a number of original works specifically written for the Clarinet Choir.

The Choir has presented concert programs throughout the north of New South Wales.The presentation of a Vice Regal command Performance to the Governor General at Canberra, and successful tour of the South Island of New Zealand are two 'feathers in our cap"

We are one of three or four community based clarinet choirs in Australia. Our members range in age form young teenagers to ancient. We hail form all works of life - student, doctor, teacher, dentist, abattoir supervisor, pensioner. Our one common denominator is our love of the Clarinet.

We are anxious to "spread the gospel" to show the potential of a Clarinet choir, the beauty and wide sound spectrum of the five different clarinets, hoping to encourage the establishment of other clarinet choirs as a result of our performances. We do not pretend to be individually brilliant. Some of our members are virtual beginners. But this is the essence of a Choir,- to provide challenge and encouragement to players of all abilities and at the same time give our audiences enjoyable and memorable entertainment.We hope we are succeeding.