9 - 10 May 2009 - Port Macquarie Baptist Church 

This concert featured Joseph Haydn's 'Nelson Mass' and other vocal works
in conjunction with the T.O.P.S. orchestra.

Bringing a rich tapestry of music from the Classical period to audiences was the aim of Musical Director and conductor Robyn Ryan in Hastings Choristers' first major concert for 2009. 

This program was the perfect way to celebrate the wonderful music of Josef Haydn who died in Vienna 200 years ago on 31st May 1809. Our audiences delighted in a Trumpet Concerto performed by our own trumpeter extraordinaire, Jason Heise, a short Symphony and the extraordinary Nelson Mass - what a treat for lovers of fine music. HAYDN TRUE was presented on Saturday 9th May at 8.00 pm and Sunday 10th May at 2.00 pm in the Port Macquarie Baptist Church. Doors opened three-quarters of an hour before concert time, and pre-concert talks before each performance whetted the audiences' appetites.  Click the image to view the program....

Singing as a vocal quartet in preparation for the imminent HAYDN TRUE concerts on Mothers Day weekend  was an exhilarating journey for some well known Hastings singers.  John Thompson, Nina Mestric, Miriam Lattimore, and Ian Castle got into gear to bring the swoon factor to Port Macquarie concert goers with their beautiful voices enhanced by our own local Cantorus choir and Sydney based TOPS orchestra, in Joseph Haydn's 'Missa in Angustiiscommonly known as the 'Nelson Mass'.

John Thompson, a Tenor, has been a resident of Port Macquarie for 40 years singing in many choirs, stage shows & charity performances frequently as soloist during all those years. He has performed extensively around the Mid-North Coast and interstate, and is a much loved and valued Life-Member of the Hastings Choristers.  Nina Mestric had the principal singing role in 'Missa in Angustiis' which requires a huge amount of vocal stamina and breath control. She majored at University in voice specialising in Lieder, Music Theatre and presently is developing her wide repertoire by mastering new genres.  Miriam Lattimore has enjoyed singing in various contexts in Port Macquarie including principal roles with Players Theatre and as a chorister and a soloist with the Hastings Choristers.  Her most recent collaboration with Cantorus was in the Messiah concerts of Christmas 2008.  She has conducted children’s choirs for more than thirty years and more recently adult choirs.  She currently directs the Wauchope High School Choir, the Port Macquarie Uniting Church Men’s Choir and the Sing Australia Wauchope Choir. Usually a soprano, Miriam enjoyed preparing the role of Contralto for these concerts. Ian Castle is well known for his beautiful baritone voice and his many Players Theatre roles. He will be long remembered for his stunning Pirate King in Pirates of Penzance. He presently teaches Voice in Port Macquarie after training in Vocal Studies under the direction of Janet Delpratt during his University years in Brisbane.