Carl Crossin and Gondwana Choirs Tour Canada and the USA

Associate Professor Carl Crossin OAM recently returned from a two-week concert tour (Wednesday 22 January–Thursday 6 February) to Canada and the USA with Gondwana Choirs – one of Australia's two national youth choirs. Carl is one of two co-conductors of this 45-voice mixed choir comprising nationally auditioned singers aged 18–25. Following two weeks of intense rehearsal at the Gondwana Choirs National Choral School in Sydney (Monday 6–Saturday 18 January), Gondwana Chorale collaborated and performed with a range of Canadian and US choirs in Vancouver (Vancouver Youth Chorus), Seattle (Columbia Choirs), Eugene in Oregon (the University of Oregon Chamber Choir – one of America's finest collegiate choirs) and New York (The Westminster Choir from Westminster Choir College near Philadelphia).

They also participated in a workshop with leading Spiritual/Gospel specialist Rollo Dillworth from Temple University in Philadelphia. Repertoire for the tour featured 80% Australian choir repertoire (all composed within the last 15 years) and included one of Carl's own works (conducted by the other co-conductor, Paul Holley from Brisbane).

Two current Elder Conservatorium students and one past-student were members of the choir. Carl has worked with Gondwana Choirs regularly since 2011. Since 1998, Carl has also worked frequently with Australia's other national youth choir, the National Youth Choir of Australia and, in July this year in Melbourne, will conduct NYCA's 2025 Season.