Concert 4 2025 Southern Voices program, Sharon Batterham and the choir

Here are program notes for each of the five songs being sung by Southern Voices Melbourne at the Queen Symphony Concert on Saturday 30th August.

They may not be in order of performance.

Below that is the biography of Sharon Batterham, director, and information about the choir.

This lively, energetic song by Roger Emerson is an homage to all things Celtic and the sheer joy of being swept up in the beauty of nature. The power of water moving through nature the carries the listener on a journey downstream, to immerse themselves in the cleansing of the river.

Indodana, meaning “Son” in the isiXhosa language, is a traditional Easter hymn, which translates to “You took your own Son/Who lived among us/The Son of God/Was crucified/Oh Jehovah/Father – followed by a wail of anguish (hololo ho, helele he). This version has been made more famous in the recent New Zealand ilm “Tina” and has been performed by both the University of Pretoria Camerata and the Stellenbosch University Choir, from South Africa.

Viadana was a Franciscan monk from Venice, whose work crossed over from the Renaissance to the Baroque era. His influence spread as far as Germany at the time. Exsultate Justi is part of Viadana’s Concerti ecclesiastici Op. 12 completed in 1602, in which he imitates the harp and lute in the vocal parts. The text translates as: “Rejoice in the Lord, O ye just; praise beits the upright/Give praise to the Lord on the harp; sing to him with the psaltery, the instrument of ten strings/Sing to him a new canticle, sing well unto him with a loud noise/Rejoice in the Lord, O ye just; praise beits the upright”

Originally written by Eddie Perfect for the opening of the refurbished Hamer Hall, it was arranged by Kate Sadler for the Canterbury Girls Secondary College choir, Cantabella, which is currently directed by Sharon Batterham. The text is both a tribute to the much-maligned Yarra River, as well as a search for one’s own identity and place in the world, and inding that sense of belonging when you feel as though you don’t it in.

Australian composer Paul Jarman chose the timeless poem of love and loss, “The Soldier” by Confucius, as the setting for this 2014 work marking the 100th anniversary of the commencement of World War 1, the so-called “Great War”. His choice of text and the addition of his own words “Here I stand so strong and free/singing you the hope you seek/ stand as one, we’ll sing for peace/and we’ll make this world a better place” are a reflection that we are no closer to stopping war today, but we still live in hope of a better future for all humankind.

In a fit of whimsy, Nathan Howe has taken the hit song by Smash Mouth and turned it into an English madrigal – with all the chord progressions and harmonies more commonly found in traditional English madrigals. The message stays the same – you never shine if you don’t glow, only shooting stars break the mould!

SHARON BATTERHAM – DIRECTOR

Sharon Batterham is a distinguished choral music and vocal specialist, with extensive experience as a soloist, chorister, and conductor. Her musical journey began as a young chorister in the Australian Children’s Choir, performing at various venues across Melbourne, regional Victoria, and South Australia, and participating in the ACC’s inaugural international tours to Hong Kong and the United Kingdom. Her choral singing journey also included performances with the Australian Youth Choir, the CHIME Choir and the Faye Dumont Singers.

Sharon completed tertiary music studies at the University of Melbourne, where she achieved a Bachelor of Music degree in composition and voice, as well as a Bachelor of Music Education. Vocal studies with Kevin Casey and Hartley Newnham refined her vocal skills, and Sharon actively participated in performances with the Faculty of Music Choir and Chamber Singers, composing and arranging music for both ensembles.

Sharon’s deep interest in choral conducting flourished as she began tutoring the training groups of the Victorian Boys’ Choir, eventually progressing to roles in the Australian Girls’ Choir and the CHIME Choirs. Her dedication led her to pursue training in choral pedagogy, studying under influential conductors such as Rodney Eichenberger, Andre de Quadros, and Doreen Rao. Sharon’s commitment to her craft was further recognised when she was chosen from a pool of conductors worldwide to attend the 3rd Choral Symposium hosted by the Toronto Children’s Chorus under the guidance of Jean Ashworth-Bartle.

Sharon assumed the role of Music Director of Southern Voices, a dynamic and talented ensemble of young musicians passionate about choral music and the joy of singing together, in 2008. She is in demand as a clinician at choral workshops catering to various age groups, an esteemed adjudicator, and a vocal coach for both contemporary and classical singers.

Sharon is the director of Cantabella, the award-winning choir of Canterbury Girls’ Secondary College, and a voice teacher at Canterbury Girls Secondary College, Killester College, Springvale, and St Margaret’s Berwick Grammar. She is also the co-conductor of the Melbourne Women’s Choir. Currently, she serves as the Secretary of the Australian National Choral Association’s Victoria-Tasmania branch and has been President of the committee in the past.

Sharon’s remarkable career and contributions to the choral world epitomise the transformative power of music and mentorship in shaping future generations of musicians.

SOUTHERN VOICES MELBOURNE

Southern Voices Melbourne is an award winning choir of talented, dedicated musicians whose aim is to provide beautiful music for any occasion. From the grandeur of opera to the infectious rhythms of alternative hip hop, and from contemporary compositions to choral classics, Southern Voices captivates audiences with their wide-ranging repertoire, making them highly sought-after for concerts, collaborations, and festivals.

Southern Voices Melbourne has performed in several iconic locations such as the Sydney Opera House, Federation Hall in Hobart, Elder Hall in Adelaide and all of Melbourne’s major venues. Major collaborations include a performance of Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 8 “Symphony of a Thousand” at the Melbourne Town Hall, the Australian premiere of Ola Gjielo’s Dreamweaver with the Chime Choir and backing Aria-nominated contemporary artists Mama Kin Spender (Danielle Caruana and Dingo Spender) performance of Sounds of Your Town. 

In late August 2025, Southern Voices Melbourne will participate in a collaborative performance of Tolga Koshif’s Queen Symphony at the Iwaki Auditorium. This is the second time they have collaborated. In 2015 it was Tolga Kashif’s Genesis Suite. 

Tour destinations include New Zealand and most Australian capitals, as well as many regional centres. In 2023 Southern Voices participated in the world renowned Festival of Voices in Hobart, performing in a variety of settings where they gained quite a following due to their excellent and engaging performances. A trip to Adelaide in 2024, to perform with the Festival Statesmen Chorus at their 15th birthday celebrations, was a particular highlight on the calendar. Southern Voices has recently returned from the 14th Bali International Choral Festival, where the group achieved two Gold and two Silver medals, and were the only choir to compete in 4 sections.

Directed by skilled and passionate conductor Sharon Batterham and accompanied by the talented Kate Denmead, Southern Voices takes an audience on a musical journey like no other.