Ballarat Choral Festival is an Expression of the Heart

For 27 years, the Ballarat Choral Festival, organised by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was held at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia.

Margaret Lenan Ellis, who has been the primary organiser of the festival for the past 20 years, said “It is always a wonderful time of the year when we join with other choirs to share our love of music.”

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Dean Berger, Latter-day Saint leader of the Deer Park region, opened the festival by saying, “I think we can all agree that music is an expression of the heart and a way that brings people together. The Bible shares the parable of the talents and teaches us that if we share our talents, we are blessed with an increase. I want to thank everyone for sharing their talents and we know you will see an increase in your life.”

This year’s festival included singers from twelve different choirs, ranging in age from primary school children to adults. Songs from all genres were shared with the large audience.

Although the items performed ranged from Songs of a Disney Princess to I’m Trying to be Like Jesus, the audience could feel the love of music from each presentation.

One of the highlights of the afternoon came from the Sunshine Ward primary children’s choir who sang Folofola Mai a Sisu, by Tevita Tuliakiono. The beautiful number, which was sung in Tongan, says that we are all children of God and every child is loved by our Heavenly Father. Their beautiful rendition brought many members of the choir and the audience to tears.

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Another highlight was when all of the choirs came together for one grand finale. “It’s a wonderful way of wrapping up,” said Ms. Ellis.  “We love coming up and combining in a piece that we have all learned quite separately, but we sing with one voice.” 

This amazing number carries the performers and the audience through to the next year and the anticipation of more beautiful music, made together.