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  Marist Singers of NSW   [Young Sydney Singers]    (est. 1972) Pop Choir Group 
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Also known as the Young Sydney Singers. Founded in 1972 by Br Oswin McKinney. First became known as the Marist Singers of Eastwood. In 1972 the choir appeared in many musicals, including "Carmen" with the NSW School of Opera. "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat", which was performed at the Seymour Centre. They featured on the sound track of Pat Lovell's film "Break of Day", singing an old Anzac rallying tune, "Australia Will Be There".

In 1977, the choirmaster, Paul Bateman OAM was appointed Choir Director and helped the new Manager, Br Cyril Quinlan, produce several recordings. Mr Bateman, a former Year 6 teacher at Penshurst Marist College joined up with the Newcastle Marist Brothers choir to form the Marist Singers of NSW. There were several record recordings made, including "I'm A Song Sing Me.." produced in early 1977, the "Marist Singers of NSW in Concert" produced in 1979 which included some earlier recordings. In 1979, it was the 1979 - International Year of the Child. A 45 rpm recording was produced as part of a campaign to raise money to build an activities centre for the Young People of the Hurstville, NSW area. With the instrumental backing of The Warringah Stage Band, two songs were recorded. Composed by Alan Dean, The Legend of The Ferdi Bird and The World is A Beautiful Place, written by John Crane.

In 1981 Simon Gallaher produced his first record, "Opening Night" and the choir performed as back-up to "Australia Be Proud", composed by Simon Gallaher with lyrics by Renee Laycock. During the early 1980's, boys from other Catholic schools started joining the choir and the decission to change the name to the "Young Sydney Singers" (YSS) was made. This choir expanded to become a boys treble choir with a junior and senior division. In 1989 a Gala Concert was performed at the Parramatta Riverside Theatre with special guest Stars, Marty Rhone and Alexandra Smith a 14 year old vocalist. The old boys from the Marist Singer of NSW also joined them for a few songs. The patron of the Young Sydney Singers was Tommy Tycho, A.M., M.B.E.

Both choirs toured around Australia with concerts in Newcastle, Katoomba, in 1978 a tour to Canberra and Melbourne where they sang with the "National Boys Choir". The following year they toured Tasmania. In 1977 the choir won first place at the Hornsby District Choral Festival at Hornsby Plaza. They performed at many nursing homes, the Opera House, Martin Place and the Sydney Town Hall. In 1988 the YSS performed at many Bicentennial events. In 1978 they performed on the Mike Walsh Show on TV and appeared in a 1981 TV commercial for the Mitsubishi Sigma.

Sadly, in December 1997 the Young Sydney Singers decided to quit, due to lack of boys interested in singing and Paul Bateman thought it was time to pull up stumps. However, a farewell concert was held at the Cerdon College at Merrylands and featured a good turn out of "old" boys from the Marist Singers. An article appeared in The Catholic Weekly, January 18, 1998, by former member Anthony Golding (1977 to 79). In 1997 the choir did perform at the Sydney Hilton Hotel and at many weddings. In that year they performed at the opening of Club Menai and at the Catholic Club special mass at Hurstville.

The Marist Singers made a strong foray into television and radio in 1974, appearing on the Easter Sunday broadcast of "Sunrise Service" staged at the North Ryde Drive-In and broadcast live on ATN Channel 7. The Marist Singers then appeared on the Seven Network drama "Class of '74" in the 100th episode, appearing as the school choir of the fictitious Waratah High School. This was followed with an appearance on the Television Mass broadcast on TCN Channel 9, and featuring on radio 2CH as the guest choir on a live religious program broadcast from the Lyceum Theatre in Sydney.

Joe Arena was a member of the Marist Singers between 1974 and 1975 and fondly recalls the entreprenuerial vision and passion of music and media teacher, Br Oswin McKinney, who gave birth to the choir and became an inspirational mentor in Joe's own subsequent career as a school teacher.
Related Sites
Official Site: New Zealand Schools Choral Festival
Our festival is an annual event in the cathedral Auckland on the first Saturday in August. International choirs are invited to come for a shorter or longer time and sing with our choirs in our event. They will be billeted if they want in Auckland and tour NZ together afterwards. Professor Karen Grylls, Faye Dumont and David Hamilton(Musical director) make up the professional staff.

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Featured Recordings Compact | Full
no cover
Marist Singers of NSW (Riversound Studios YPRX 1599, LP) 1979
Featuring Marist Singers of NSW  
Album with choir members of Penshurst Marist College, Eastwood and Hamilton in Newcastle. Paul Bateman as Conductor and Musical Arrangements, Br. Oswin McKinney as Conductor and Tour Director. Mrs Marian Titmus as accompanist. 15 songs from 1977 to 79.
Other Recordings Compact | Full
no cover
The World is a Beautiful Place (Alan Dean YW 001, 45rpm Single)
Featuring Marist Singers of NSW  
Two songs recorded with instrumental back up by The Warringah Stage Band. 1979- International Year of The Child. The Sydney Marist Singers.
Recordings after Voice Change / Recordings as an Adult Compact | Full
no cover
I'm A Song, Sing Me (EMI YPRX-1426B, LP) 1977
Featuring Marist Singers of NSW (non-treble)  
Marist Singers of Eastwood. Featuring Paul Bateman as Choirmaster and soloist. Quest artists, from Eastwood NSW, David Bylsma and his sister, Loretta Besson. 15 songs in total.
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