Curriculum Vitæ
Music and Theatre
1965-1970
State Municipal Choir of Brisbane, Youth for Christ Singers – Brisbane.
1968
Sydney Baptist Youth Chorus – Directed by
Don & Doris Newman.
1970-1973
Gospel Challengers with Linda Clauson who was the daughter of Lou Clauson from Lou & Simon.
1970-1976
Founded the New Creation Theatre Company which I directed, specializing in musicals including “It’s Getting Late”, “Life”, “Tell Like it is” and several others. New Creation was together for four weeks when James Irwin came to New Zealand. We performed at the YMCA Stadium in Auckland and our performance was videotaped and submitted to the 0-10 Network (Now the TEN Network). We were runners up on “Studio One” which is similar to the Australian Idol quest. However, the judges said that first place had to go to a couple as it was a prize for two people. Because of Lou Clauson’s connections I regularly met all the top entertainers in New Zealand. As well as directing “Life” I also did the choreography.
The New Creation Theatre Company travelled the nation for six years. We appointed music directors who were trained in the professional world including David Wood and Brian Vincent. Milton Morley directed our 12 piece orchestra. Our choreography team was directed by a well known choreographer who emerged from the gay community.
1972
Directed Youth for Christ Singers in
Auckland, New Zealand. I was the
first to bring choreography into Capital Team Convention.
1975
Produced “It’s Getting Late” which made
its first premiere at the Mount Roskill Grammar School in Auckland, New Zealand.
The Auckland Herald newspaper covered the event.
1978-1979
Took over the Youth For Christ Singers in
Hawkes Bay.
1980
Formed the New Covenant Players at Hawkes
Bay, New Zealand. Produced “Living
Water” which was a musical based on the life of Jesus of Nazareth.
It contained a number of songs in the comedy style.
It featured Robin May who had just toured with the Continental Singers.
1983-1985
Formed a new vocal group featuring Julie
Temple which did a lot of work in the prison system
1990-1998
Started the Celebration Singers which
would later become the Celebration Vocal Band.
We recorded for the television show “Turn Around, Australia”.
We were featured almost every Sunday over the following 12 months.
We also recorded the song “Great South Land” which was written by Geoff
Bullock and “Back to His Heart” by First Call.
We were continuously on television making
several recordings for the Optus Network, singing lots of ABBA style music
recorded by Silverwind. We were
filmed by television networks doing singing at the Botanical Gardens before the
awakening marches. When we recorded
for Optus Television we did several songs from the movie “Sister Act”.
We sang at Asia Week, winning the A cappella section of the Brisbane
Eisteddfod. We also did lots of
secular events such as the Australian Celtic Celebrations in Sydney.
We were funded by the Australian Performing Arts Board.
We sang at lawyer’s parties and a host of other professional events.
Currently.
I am about to produce “One World – One Kingdom – One God – The Concert”, which is a remake of “It’s Getting Late”. Pending copyright permission, it will feature a new arrangement of The Lord’s Prayer from the movie “King of Kings”. We have invited performers such as Nicole C. Mullens, Cheryl Ladd, Kirk Cameron, The Brooklyn Tabernacle and Oslo Gospel Choirs and a variety of other major actors to become involved in the production. We haven’t received any confirmation yet. But we will it soon. The music director is Mark Kroon, who is a member of the Lyric Theatre Opera.
One World – One Kingdom – One God is scheduled to premiere at the Ipswich Civic Centre in 2010, pending financial assistance.