Parramatta’s flagship symphonic choir, River City Voices (RCV), has announced its 2024 program.

Formed in 2018, RCV draws upon the talent of Western Sydney to present classical and contemporary choral music in line with the spirit of its local community. Now a force of 70 vocalists, it champions the diversity, collaborative spirit and excellence of its area, and aims to foster musical opportunities for Western Sydney musicians both at community and professional levels. 

Approaching its sixth year, the choir has already brought landmark works in the choral repertoire (including Handel’s Messiah and Orff’s Carmina Burana) to Parramatta, performed at the Sydney Opera House, and programmed work by local composers and artists.

River City Voices. Photo courtesy of River City Voices/Facebook

This year, RCV offers its first season brochure, and its first subscription sales offer (until 30 April).

“We invite you to pull up a chair, a pew, and a picnic rug for three thought-provokingly creative choral collaborations. There’s no classical choral program quite like this one, because there’s no classical choir quite like us,” said Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Sarah Penicka-Smith.

The first of these choral collaborations is Mozart’s Requiem, the monumental choral work left unfinished upon the composer’s untimely death. The program marks the first collaboration between RCV and the Western Sydney Philharmonia, with soprano Alice Girle, mezzo-soprano Ellena Hicks, tenor Elias Wilson and baritone David Hidden featuring as soloists. Inviting audiences to “revel in the power” of the work, Penicka-Smith conducts the work at Parramatta’s St Patrick’s Cathedral on 17 May.

Sarah Penicka-Smith with River City Voices. Photo supplied.

Next is Cancel Choir, a program that is “shaking up the choral status quo”, said Penicka-Smith. Airing the dirty laundry of beloved classical composers, the program probes into why we’re so selective with the artists we choose to cancel. Featuring works by Gesualdo, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky and Puccini, the program will be performed at Macarthur Girls High School on 17 August, with pianist Philip Eames accompanying.

With three performances on 23 Novmber at PHIVE, All Aboard with Beethoven sees RCV join forces with the Western Sydney Youth Orchestra for its first-ever Kids Proms concert. Full of “maritime mayhem”, the 40-minute program offers works by Beethoven, Strauss and local composers as a lighthearted introduction to classical music for young families.

“I want [RCV] to be an organisation of integrity that flourishes through its relevance, vibrancy and reputation,” founder Inara Molinari told Limelight in 2019.

“One that singers and musicians clamour to join, and one that’s valued and supported by the community as being an integral and essential part of their cultural life.”

More about River City Voices’ 2024 program can be found here. Discounted subscription tickets are available until 30 April.