Dr Philip Matthias

Battle Cry consists of performances by a classically trained choir of contemporary & rock pieces. This research seeks to redefine the role and perception of a choir. There is a widespread trend in music for the integration of diverse styles and creation of cross-over styles (e.g. compositions for traditional orchestra which incorporate Rock music styles). This integration has not fully reached the traditional choral music platform as the lines drawn between choral styles are usually distinct. The demarcation between choirs questions whether it is possible to create a choral sound and compositions that can stylistically accommodate Classical and Rock genres and be in line with mainstream musical trends? The vocal sound is informed by embodiment, as can be seen and heard in African choral styles, Kodaly and Eurythmics (Delcroix). Battle Cry borrows physical gestures usually found in popular music and musical theatre. Research has shown that movement combined with singing improves tone quality and expression (Peterson 2000). The arrangements necessitate an understanding of many styles. Purple Haze combines textures associated with Baroque split choirs and traditional blues. The songs Playing to Win, sung in a straight Rock style, and Bicycle with its allusions to the musical theatre genre, necessitate a performance style plausible enough to embrace multiple styles and genres in performance. Battle Cry has had airplay on ABC Classic FM and other national radio networks. 35,000 CDs distributed throughout Australia, with reviews in newspaper sand online. There have been many invitations to perform the recorded works throughout the country.

Battle Cry consists of performances by a classically trained choir of contemporary & rock pieces. This research seeks to redefine the role and perception of a choir. There is a widespread trend in music for the integration of diverse styles and creation of cross-over styles (e.g. compositions for traditional orchestra which incorporate Rock music styles). This integration has not fully reached the traditional choral music platform as the lines drawn between choral styles are usually distinct. The demarcation between choirs questions whether it is possible to create a choral sound and compositions that can stylistically accommodate Classical and Rock genres and be in line with mainstream musical trends? The vocal sound is informed by embodiment, as can be seen and heard in African choral styles, Kodaly and Eurythmics (Delcroix). Battle Cry borrows physical gestures usually found in popular music and musical theatre. Research has shown that movement combined with singing improves tone quality and expression (Peterson 2000). The arrangements necessitate an understanding of many styles. Purple Haze combines textures associated with Baroque split choirs and traditional blues. The songs Playing to Win, sung in a straight Rock style, and Bicycle with its allusions to the musical theatre genre, necessitate a performance style plausible enough to embrace multiple styles and genres in performance. Battle Cry has had airplay on ABC Classic FM and other national radio networks. 35,000 CDs distributed throughout Australia, with reviews in newspaper sand online. There have been many invitations to perform the recorded works throughout the country.