In the wake of recent funding cuts, the Sydney venue will stage a benefit for Synergy, Taikoz and Gondwana Choirs.

Percussion ensembles Synergy Percussion and Taikoz, and youth choral organisation Gondwana Choirs were among the 62 organisations to be defunded in the “Black Friday” Australia Council funding round, leaving all three music groups facing uncertain futures. However, in a show of enormous generosity and solidarity, the City Recital Hall, Angel Place has offered a glimmer of hope for these organisations.

The central Sydney venue, located in the heart of the city’s CBD, has offered its hall for a fundraising concert, with 100% of ticket revenue going directly to the three companies. “The Board and staff of City Recital Hall were, like many others, saddened to hear the news that Synergy, Taikoz and Gondwana Choirs were unsuccessful in securing multi-year operational funding from 2017,” said Elaine Chia, CEO of City Recital Hall, Angel Place. “CRH exists for the artists on our stage, performing to audiences in our seats. We are stable, and growing, and enjoy strong support from the City of Sydney. We have the capacity to help,”

In a press release for the concert, Gondwana Choirs said, “Gondwana Choirs, Synergy and Taikoz, three of Australia’s most innovative arts companies, were shocked and disappointed to learn recently that they would no longer receive multi-year funding from the Australia Council. In a direct response to this news, and from the overwhelming support they have received from within the sector, Gondwana Choirs, Synergy and Taikoz are presenting Rhythm and Voice to celebrate the incredible breadth of their work.”

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The benefit concert will also feature performances by Riley Lee, The Song Company, Linalayam Dance Company, The Australia Ensemble and musicians from the Australian Chamber Orchestra and Sydney Symphony Orchestra.

Gondwana Choirs, Synergy Percussion and Taikoz have made major contributions to the vitality and diversity of Australian music for over 25 years, commissioning a large body of new Australian music, as well as touring nationally and internationally. While the lack of multi-year funding from the Australia Council has obviously been a blow, this fundraising concert provides an opportunity to bolster the organisations’ financial future. “We believe there is no better way to support these organisations than give our venue for a fundraising concert,” said Chia, “Both companies have been a staple at our home for many years. We consider them our partners, our friends, and part of our family.”

Synergy, Taikoz, Gondwana Choirs and friends will perform Rhythm & Voice at City Recital Hall, Sydney, on June 13

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