According to the Oxford dictionary, the definition of 'serendipity' is 'the occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way.'
The word 'serendipity' originated from Serendip, a Persian name for Sri Lanka. It was coined by the English politican and writer Horace Walpole (1717-1797) after 'The Three Princes of Serendip', a Persian fairy tale in which the heroes were 'always making fortunate discoveries by accidents and sagacity, of things they were not in quest of'.
Serendipity: the choir is a Southern Highlands community choir, founded in February 2008. We are based in the beautiful village of Bundanoon, from where two-thirds of our singers come. Others travel from various locations - Exeter, Moss Vale, Werrai, Robertson, Burradoo, Mittagong, Goulburn, Tallong and Bowral - to be part of this dynamic ensemble.
Serendipity: the choir has enjoyment as its prime reason for existence, Enjoyment by the singers of the repertoire selected for each 'themed' concert, and listening enjoyment for our audiences. To achieve this seemingly simple goal requires much hard work and dedication by the choristers as we aim for choral excellence. The overwhelming response to our music-making since we began has vindicated the decision to form a choir which aims to provide choral pleasure for the wider community. We now have Serendipity 'groupies' who travel regularly from Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne to attend our concerts.
The choir of some thirty voices is not auditioned in the traditional sense. New singers are offered the chance to join as 'potential' choristers, and their position in the choir is determined after several weeks of actual participation in rehearsals.
The greatest strength of Serendipity: the choir lies in its singers, the choristers themselves, and their dedication, enthusiasm and involvement in the life of the choir. We are now a closely knit group in which each singer receives support and encouragement from others, and all feel a strong sense of ownership of the choir.
Members of the general community also support us in website development, administration, library organisation, photography and ticket sales. Our status as a sub-committee of the Bundanoon Community Association (www.bundanoon.nsw.au) provides insurance cover as well as an excellent rehearsal and performance venue.
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If you would like Serendipity: the choir to perform at your next event, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it |
Upcoming Performances
| Sat May 05, 2012 @ 3:00PM - 'It Takes Two' Concert in Bowral |
| Sat May 12, 2012 @ 3:00PM - 'It Takes Two' Concert in Bundanoon |
WHAT'S NEW
Ahoy There!
Look at Serendipity: the choir aboard the yacht 'Serendipity'. One of our choristers visited Scotland last year and saw this yacht moored in a loch. An opportunity too good to miss!
Choristers of the Month
Gill and Rob are one of several couples in the choir and have belonged to Serendipity since it started. Apart from carols at Christmastide in the UK, Gill had not sung in any choir until now. Rob, on the other hand, is the product of an English boarding school with a fine musical tradition and thus has had more choral experience.
The pair met in London where Gill was the manager in a department fashion store and Rob, who had trained in hotel management in Switzerland, was engaged in the hospitality industry, a lifetime career for him. He went on to become group operations manager, lecturing at Hotel School when they eventually settled in Sydney.
Married in England in 1959 the couple came to Australia in 1965, living for many years, and in many different homes, in Sydney until they settled in the Highlands in 2000. They have a daughter on the Central Coast and a son who has lived for some twenty years in Japan.
Berrima was the Dunstan’s starting point here, where they ran a purpose-built B & B, 'Pickwicks'. After the sale of that home they moved to Bundanoon and then to Moss Vale, designing and building their own homes in all three places. Jill loves home and fashion magazines and is always on the look-out for further ideas.
Once settled in the Highlands, both became involved in the Arts, with Gill directing several plays at the Mittagong Playhouse and Rob performing on stage. He plays tuba in the Concert Band and together they enjoy the plays and concerts in our area. Rob arranges the publicity for Serendipity and they are supportive of and enjoy being part of the Choir.
They also find time to read and watch videos, as well as spending many hours establishing the garden in their most recent home. Who would know whether they’ll be content to rest there awhile.
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