The Prom Coast Singers is a Foster based choir whose members basically want to sing plus also to improve their voices and enjoy exploring and performing good music.

With the pending retirement of our founding Musical Director, Paddy Broberg, there is great enthusiasm from members to keep the choir active, taking on new challenges and at the same time sharing the cheerful company of other music lovers.

PCS needs a Director with sound choral and general musical skills to continue to inspire a disparate group of people with a common love of singing and a willingness to work hard to achieve their best.

The Choir

The Prom Coast Singers, now 30 to 40 strong, attracts singers of many and varied backgrounds from all over South Gippsland and is wholly unauditioned. Rehearsal is generally on Tuesday nights at Foster for two to four months before a performance, in the Anglican Church Hall.  Other separate rooms are used for section rehearsals and choir members are available to conduct these.

PCS owns its own Yamaha Clavinova piano to ensure a high standard instrument is available for concerts and also rehearsal. Costs of music, copyright and insurance are covered by a small levy collected at each rehearsal from all members.

Members willingly accept responsibility for routine functions such as finance, maintaining the Music Library, photocopying, hall setup, publicity, ticket sales and piano moving. Close relations are maintained with FAMDA (Foster Amateur Music and Drama Association) to which PCS is affiliated. A small committee has been set up to oversee the day to day running of the choir and assist the Musical Director.

Musical Director

The Musical Director has the responsibility to plan the choir’s musical activities including the selection of music as well as the conduct of rehearsals and to direct the final performances. Local musicians have been very willing to perform with the PCS and the Director is expected to work with them when appropriate. The position is not salaried although travel expenses can be met.

Prom Coast Singers’ History

In November 1997, FAMDA staged a highly successful production of the Broadway musical, Annie, with Neil Goodwin as director and Paddy Broberg as the musical director. The next year several of the Annie cast members found they really missed the fun and camaraderie of the rehearsal and performance process. Their frustration got the better of them and they besieged Paddy with requests to let them sing again and, one evening in April 1998, eight former members of the Annie cast and crew met at Foster Primary School for the first sing-along of what was to become the Prom Coast Singers.

Under the umbrella of FAMDA with the guidance of Paddy Broberg, the Singers’ initial performances were in conjunction with community carols in Foster and Toora and singing for the residents of Banksia Lodge and Rose Lodge, Wonthaggi. It was not until Sunday 15 October 2000 that the choir presented its first paid performance in the form of a benefit concert held at the FWMAC in aid of the South Gippsland Hospital and Toora Nursing Home Auxiliaries.

The Singers’ December 2001 project was an impressive performance of Benjamin Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols in Christ Church Foster.

In July 2003 the choir combined with the South Gippsland Wind Orchestra to present mid-winter concerts at the Dakers Centre in Leongatha as well as the Foster Arts Centre with PCS performing exerpts from Carmina Burana. This dramatic work was revisited in October when the South Gippsland Singers combined with PCS for a concert in Mesley Hall Leongatha as part of the world-wide choral phenomenon, Voices for Hospices and it was on the program again for the very special 10th Anniversary Concert – 17 August 2008.

Essence of Folk was the title for the program presented by the Singers in 2004. The choir performed in Poowong and Glen Alvie and the next week, on 27 June, they shared the stage with the Bec Bone Singers back in Foster at the FWMAC.

Fauré’s Requiem and Borodin’s Polovtsienne Dances were on the bill when PCS sang in the Foster Anglican Church on 15 May 2005. The following weekend they sang those works in concerts with the South Gippsland Singers and the Korumburra Primary School Choir at Mesley Hall and the Inverloch Community Centre.

The 2005 Voices for Hospices concert had Prom Coast Singers combining with the South Gippsland Singers and the Warragul Chorale for a concert showcasing each choir and featuring music specially composed by Larry Hills for all three choirs.

In the 2007 SeaChange Festival, the Prom Coast Singers demonstrated the diversity of their repertoire in a concert billed as From Pop to Op(era) and performed Paddy Broberg’s original music in the exciting multi-media Fire Up! project. The Singers also performed at the Mossvale Park Music for the People concert.

2008 saw members taking part in FAMDA’s widely acclaimed production of The Producers with Pam Coad as Chorus Mistress and other members providing the offstage chorus.

2009 projects included the multi-arts spectacular, Promontory Dreaming, contributing to FAMDA’s production of Into the Woods and in community carols at Christmas.

In between times there have been many happy nights of rehearsals with the challenge of learning to sing the right notes and the right words whether they be in English, African, French, German, Italian or Latin. PCS have sung at community carol services, funerals and in FAMDA musicals with performances in Foster, Glen Alvie, Inverloch, Korrumburra, Leongatha, Mossvale Park,  Poowong, Toora, Warragul and Wonthaggi.

Expressions of Interest Wanted

To continue this rich music making history the Prom Coast Singers are now seeking a Director with sound choral and general musical skills to continue to inspire us by planning our musical activities,  including the selection of music, as well as conducting rehearsals and directing the ultimate performances.

The position is not salaried although travel expenses can be met.

The Choir also wishes to hear from people willing to work as rehearsal pianists.

Anyone interested in working as either the choral director or rehearsal pianist for the Prom Coast Singers is invited to contact Andrew Jamieson 5683 2683 or  acjammo {@] ozemail.com.au

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Members of the Prom Coast Singers again contributed to the 2010 Anzac Day ceremony in Foster .

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Paddy has prepared a CD for each part (similar format to those for Prom Dreaming), a copy of which would be available for anyone requesting it.

Rehearsals will be principally on Tuesday evenings. Our first rehearsal is 7:30pm on Tuesday 3rd November at the Anglican Church Hall, Station Road, Foster.

The Prom Coast Singers subsequently performed at the Community Carols in Foster on Sunday 20 December 2009.

Current rehearsal schedule

7:30 second & fourth Tuesday

Anglican Church Hall
Station Road, Foster

Christmas carols are now on the menu!

Interested in joining the Prom Coast Singers or for answers to any questions?
Please phone
….. Paddy Broberg – 5682 2000

….. Andrew Jamieson – 5683 2683

….. Shirley Wilson 5682 1363

or use the contact form.

See also Promontory Dreaming

A DECADE OF MUSIC MAKING

In November 1997, FAMDA staged a highly successful production of the Broadway musical, Annie, with Neil Goodwin as director and Paddy Broberg as the musical director.

The next year several of the Annie cast members found they really missed the fun and camaraderie of the rehearsal and performance process. Their frustration got the better of them and they besieged Paddy with requests to let them sing again and, one evening in April 1998, eight former members of the Annie cast and crew met at Foster Primary School for the first sing-along of what was to become the Prom Coast Singers.

Under the umbrella of FAMDA with the guidance of Paddy Broberg, the Singers’ initial performances were in conjunction with community carols in Foster and Toora and singing for the residents of Banksia Lodge and Rose Lodge, Wonthaggi. It was not until Sunday 15 October 2000 that the choir presented its first paid performance in the form of a benefit concert held at the FWMAC in aid of the South Gippsland Hospital and Toora Nursing Home Auxiliaries.

The Singers’ December 2001 project was an impressive performance of Benjamin Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols in Christ Church Foster.

In July 2003 the choir combined with the South Gippsland Wind Orchestra to present mid-winter concerts at the Dakers Centre in Leongatha as well as the Foster Arts Centre with PCS performing Carmina Burana. This dramatic work was revisited in October when the South Gippsland Singers combined with PCS for a concert in Mesley Hall Leongatha as part of the world-wide choral phenomenon, Voices for Hospices and it was on the program again for the very special 10th Anniversary Concert – 17 August 2008.

Essence of Folk was the title for the program presented by the Singers in 2004. The choir performed in Poowong and Glen Alvie and the next week, on 27 June, they shared the stage with the Bec Bone Singers back in Foster at the FWMAC.

Fauré’s Requiem and Borodin’s Polovtsienne Dances were on the bill when PCS sang in the Foster Anglican Church on 15 May 2005. The following weekend they sang those works in concerts with the South Gippsland Singers and the Korumburra Primary School Choir at Mesley Hall and the Inverloch Community Centre.

The 2005 Voices for Hospices concert had Prom Coast Singers combining with the South Gippsland Singers and the Warragul Chorale for a concert showcasing each choir and featuring music specially composed by Larry Hills for all three choirs.

In the 2007 SeaChange Festival, the Prom Coast Singers demonstrated the diversity of their repertoire in a concert billed as From Pop to Op(era) and sang to Paddy Broberg’s original music in the exciting multi-media Fire Up! project.

The Singers have alsoperformed at the Mossvale Park Music for the People concert. In between times there have been many happy nights of rehearsals with the challenge of learning to sing the right notes and the right words whether they be in English, African, French, German, Italian or Latin. They have sung at community carols, funerals and in FAMDA shows and thoroughly enjoyed the music-making experience under Paddy’s inspirational guidance.

2009 projects include the multi-arts spectacular,  Promontory Dreaming, contributing to FAMDA’s production of Into the Woods and plans to participate in community carols at Christmas.

10th ANNIVERSARY CONCERT – 17 August 2008

Director: Paddy Broberg
Accompanists: Barbara Fleming & Kerry Pritchard
Sopranos: Fran Allott, Verna Anderson, Rhonda Bland, Pamela Coad, Sue Dower, Ellen Fabel, Michelle Gale, Jeannette King, Jennifer Paragreen, Pamela Park, Nerissa Richter, Fleur Wheeler, Shirley Wilson.

Tenors: Peter Bell, Neil Chandler, Dick Straw, Jon Wathen.

Altos: Ruth Carson, Pat Doran, Lyn Jamieson, Bev Nicoll, Dianne Paragreen, Barbara Partridge, Viv Reid, Anne Roussac Hoyne, Ros Wathen, Kate Woodward.

Baritones / Basses: Arie Bos, Edwin Coad, Geoff Davey, Brian Hoskins, Andrew Jamieson, John Laurie, Phil Nightingall.

THE PROM COAST SINGERS’ – first paid performance.

The first paid performance was presented on Sunday 15 October 2000 at the Foster War Memorial Arts Centre.

The singers at this performance were: Fran Allott, Verna Anderson, Judy Barnard, Rhonda Bland, Arie Bos, Stacey Coates, Geoff Davey, Stephanie Deutschbein, Eric Envy, Rose Fyfe, David Hutton, John Hutton, Cheryl Kane, Robert Liley, Darcy Murphy, Phil Nightingall, Dianne Paragreen, Jennifer Paragreen, Barbara Partridge, Amanda Richter, Chris Richter, Anne Roussac-Hoyne, Rodney Sharp, Colleen Smith, Kiarna Smith, Marina Sparkes, Dick Straw and Fleur Wheeler with Barbara Fleming as the accompanist.

PROM COAST SINGERS & MUSICIANS 1998 – 2008

Fran Allott, Hailey Anderson, Verna Anderson, Tony Bacon, Sally Baldwin, Judy Barnard, Peter Bell, Rhonda Bland, Heather Bligh, Arie Bos, Paddy Broberg, Sandra Brown, Ruth Carson, Neil Chandler, Raylene Clymo, Edwin Coad, Pamela Coad, Stacey Coates, Geoff Davey, Wendy Davidson, Frank Deane, Jennie Deane, Stephanie Deutschbein, Pat Doran, Louise Dower, Patrick Dower, Sue Dower, Bindi Dunstan, Raymond Dunstan, Ingrid Eddy, Rob Ellis, Eric Envy +, Isabella Envy, Gareth Evens, Ellen Fabel, Jan Fell, Peter Fell, Barbara Fleming, John Fleming, Trish Fleming, Rose Fyfe, Michelle Gale, Fran Grimes, Marg Haycroft, Larry Hills, Brian Hoskins, Barbara Hutton, David Hutton +, John Hutton, Andrew Jamieson, Lyn Jamieson, John Kahsnitz, Cheryl Kane, Jeannette King, Val Latham, John Laurie, Rob Liley, Chris Lines, Amber Loader, Benita Loader, Mary Lucy, Josephine MacKenzie, Lesley Mackin, Annette Marshall, Gene Marshall, Shirley Marshall, Peter McAlpine, Lyn McClelland, Anne Medlyn, Tania Mitchell, Wayne Moloney, Sharon Monk, Jean Moore, Darcy Murphy, Duncan Neil, Bev Nicoll, Phil Nightingall, Belle Nunn, Denise O’Keefe, Dianne Paragreen, Jennifer Paragreen, Pamela Park, Barbara Partridge, Charles Pearce, Ros Pearce, Deb Peck, Lorraine Pratley, Kerry Pritchard, Leona Prue, John Rees, Viv Reid, Amanda Richter, Chris Richter, Nerissa Richter, Geoff Robson, Andrew Rosser, Anne Roussac-Hoyne, Wilma Scheerle, Rodney Sharp, Carmel Slater, Colleen Smith, Elaine Smith, Peter Snell, Phoebe Snell, Marina Sparkes, Andrew Stacey, Kim Stacey, Kathleen Stack, Hannah Stellard, Louise Stone, Dick Straw, Michael Strong, Ashley Stuchbery, Hilary Stuchbery, Brenda Taylor +, Kerrie Tudor, David Velja, Mark Wade, Bronwyn Wakely, Jonathan Wakely, Jim Warren, Jon Wathen, Ros Wathen, Fiona Watts, Fleur Wheeler, Noreen Wills, Shirley Wilson, Franz Windisch, Kate Woodward, Harrie Zanella, Marilynne Zanella, Ugo Zanella.

PROM COAST SINGERS & MUSICIANS 1998 – 2010

Fran Allott, Hailey Anderson, Verna Anderson, Tony Bacon, Sally Baldwin, Judy Barnard, Peter Bell, Rhonda Bland, Heather Bligh, Arie Bos, Paddy Broberg, Sandra Brown, Ruth Carson, Neil Chandler, Raylene Clymo, Edwin Coad, Pamela Coad, Stacey Coates, Maureen Collins, Murray Dale, Geoff Davey, Wendy Davidson, Frank Deane, Jennie Deane, Stephanie Deutschbein, Pat Doran, Louise Dower, Patrick Dower, Sue Dower, Bindi Dunstan, Raymond Dunstan, Ingrid Eddy, Rob Ellis, Eric Envy +, Isabella Envy, Gareth Evens, Ellen Fabel, Jan Fell, Peter Fell, Barbara Fleming, John Fleming, Trish Fleming, Rose Fyfe, Michelle Gale, Fran Grimes, Liz Hall, Marg Haycroft, Larry Hills, Brian Hoskins, Barbara Hutton, David Hutton +, John Hutton, Andrew Jamieson, Lyn Jamieson, John Kahsnitz, Cheryl Kane, Jeannette King, Val Latham, John Laurie, Rob Liley, Chris Lines, Amber Loader, Benita Loader, Mary Lucy, Josephine MacKenzie, Lesley Mackin, Annette Marshall, Gene Marshall, Shirley Marshall, Peter McAlpine, Lyn McClelland, Anne Medlyn, Tania Mitchell, Wayne Moloney, Sharon Monk, Jean Moore, Darcy Murphy, Duncan Neil, Bev Nicoll, Phil Nightingall, Belle Nunn, Denise O’Keefe, Dianne Paragreen, Jennifer Paragreen, Pamela Park, Barbara Partridge, Charles Pearce, Ros Pearce, Deb Peck, Lorraine Pratley, Kerry Pritchard, Leona Prue, John Rees, Viv Reid, Amanda Richter, Chris Richter, Nerissa Richter, Geoff Robson, Andrew Rosser, Anne Roussac-Hoyne, Wilma Scheerle, Rodney Sharp, Carmel Slater, Colleen Smith, Elaine Smith, Peter Snell, Phoebe Snell, Marina Sparkes, Andrew Stacey, Kim Stacey, Kathleen Stack, Hannah Stellard, Louise Stone, Dick Straw, Michael Strong, Ashley Stuchbery, Hilary Stuchbery, Isley Sutherland, Brenda Taylor +, Linda Tubnor, Kerrie Tudor, David Velja, Mark Wade, Bronwyn Wakely, Jonathan Wakely, Jim Warren, Jon Wathen, Ros Wathen, Fiona Watts, Fleur Wheeler, Noreen Wills, Shirley Wilson, Franz Windisch, Kate Woodward, Harrie Zanella, Marilynne Zanella, Ugo Zanella.

ABOUT PADDY BROBERG – Choral Director

Paddy’s career as teacher, university lecturer and arts practitioner spans more than thirty years. Her main areas of expertise are music, dance, literature and interdisciplinary arts, particularly music theatre, ranging from revues to opera. Special musical interests include composing and arranging, accompanying and choral direction.

Paddy joined FAMDA in 1995 as joint musical director of The Music Man. She was a performer in Chinamen in Cabaret, and musical director of the award winning productions of Annie and Oliver!, and of the 2004 Music Hall. In 2006 she was a cast member of Oedipus Rex and arranger and musical director of Ebenezer’s Dream.

Recent compositions in 2007 include the musical score for the multi-arts project Fire Up!, original songs for Edwin Coad’s one-act musical, Open Call, and Paul Hendry’s pantomime, Twisted Tales from the Woods, staged in January this year.

Paddy has been the musical director of the Prom Coast Singers since its inception in 1998, and has introduced the choir to many and varied works from the choral repertoire, ranging from simple rounds to major works such as Fauré’s Requiem, and covering songs and musical styles from many different countries, both past and present.

The Prom Coast Singers thank all the friends and supporters who have shared in our musical experience over the past ten years. The Choir’s next venture will be our involvement in the 2009 Prom Coast SeaChange Festival.

If you would like to join us in singing in this exciting project, please phone Paddy Broberg on 5682 2000.