Charles Colman, The Song Company founder and watercolour artist, has died.

A Sydney University graduate (1956) with an honours in music, Colman was one of the founders of Balmain Music, a local organisation that offered informal programs performed by professional and amateur musicians.

A regular conductor of The Leonine Consort in the 1960s, Colman took over the running of the ensemble and turned it into a fully professional outfit in 1978. Highly regarded in its day, the group delivered the world premiere of Peter Sculthorpe’s The Stars Turn in 1979 under Colman’s direction.

After being invited by then-Sydney Philharmonia Artistic Director Peter Seymour to direct a new vocal ensemble within the organisation, Colman founded The Song Company in 1984 and served as its inaugural director.

The Song Company, circa 1983. Charles Colman, top right.

The group was originally an octet, composing Margaret Schindler, Romola Tyrrell, Susan Gotts, Narelle Tapping, James Bonnefin, Adrian Brand, Martin Cooke and Stephen Bennett. The ensemble had its first performance at the Rothbury Estate winery in NSW’s Hunter Valley.

In 1986, the ensemble performed at the Adelaide Festival. Colman departed in 1988, due to ill health. Leadership passed first to...