Music / Go West, With Love, Canberra Qwire. At The B, Queanbeyan, November 7. Reviewed by DAVID WHITBREAD.

Qwire is indeed going west – to Perth next week – and they’re coming on strong with a diverse and fine program from The Berra.

They’ll be performing their own Mixtape concert in Perth and also featuring in the Out & Loud Gala. This festival of LGBTQIA+ choirs celebrates community, inclusiveness and connection, as has Qwire itself over its 33 years.

Musical director Callum Tolhurst-Close has trained them with a keen eye on interesting programming and attention to choral excellence. His direction is clear and focused. The unauditioned, all-age, 60-strong choir is super responsive. Their parts are secure, though the sopranos were occasionally harsh as they got higher. Their diction is excellent.

They started with Yuma, an unaccompanied musical acknowledgement of Country, followed by Marc Hayes’ excellent choral version of Over the Rainbow. Both had a warm and rich choral tone. Hayes’ harmonies were true and principal accompanist Hugo Temby’s sensitive support just right. Temby also played guitar in later works.

The second in their accompaniment team was Sharwel Lei and they provided some spirited accompaniments, including Cyndi Lauper’s True Colours.

A strength throughout the program was the rhythmic clarity achieved, for example, with Qwire creating a vocal bed of rhythm underneath the lead lines. Or using repeated motifs to build their sound, or to increase their funk factor.

Qwire commissioned London-based Australian composer Alex Palmer to write a work which was given its world premiere at this concert. Palmer was present to introduce it. By interviewing Qwire members, the work began to take shape and became Find Your People.

It was unaccompanied and, through its four episodes, intoned words describing the character of supporters, then gave their names in a complex and fun sung recitation. A section of doubts and confronting thoughts, finally emerging with the original support: “ingenious, incredible, intuitive” into a space of joy. A lovely work.

Did I mention diction? Clarity is essential in new and unfamiliar works – and is seriously one of the strengths of this group.

The second world premiere was composed for Perth Pride’s choral competition by Meanjin/Singapura-based Cloud Tan. It employs complex moving lines, often descending at different rhythms and using a very wide vocal range. This clearly challenged the Qwire but was successfully traversed.

A quick mention of their exemplary MC Sarah Oakes, enthusiast with perfectly judged commentary.

Look, there was a great full program, but we only have room to select some for comment. Unexpected works included Sunday from Stephen Sondheim’s musical Sunday in the Park with George. It was beautifully performed, despite the notorious complexity of Sondheim’s lines and cross rhythms.

Eriks Esenvalds’ Stars was given a moving performance with synthesiser taking the place of tuned water glasses as accompaniment. There was magic here.

In terms of anthems, you can’t go past This is Me from The Greatest Showman, Queen’s Don’t Stop Me Now and, appropriately, Village People’s Go West, featuring the tenors and basses. Qwire clearly delighted in presenting these works, and they were sung with gusto and infectious good cheer.

But I know you want gospel, too. It would be hard to go past I Sing Because I’m Happy arranged and conducted by assistant musical director Lenore Studdert. She also duetted the opening with Andrea Higgins. Then it broke loose with the full Qwire letting rip with a fabulous speedy, classic gospel vibe, with joyous accompaniment on synth and piano by Tolhurst-Close and Temby respectively.

Moving songs included Let Love Rule by Archie Roach, Feels Like Home, and Judy Small’s Let the Rainbow Shine featuring the altos. These were given fine performances.

Watch out, Perth! Qwire’s coming west with lots to love.

News all day, every day at CityNewsQBN.com.au.