Ordinarily the MSO Chorus would have participated in this year’s Melbourne ANZAC Day dawn service. This year that is not possible due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Instead, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra is inviting choral singers of all ages from around the world to form “an almighty virtual choir”, which will perform Waltzing Matilda with the musicians of the MSO and the MSO Chorus as part of a special commemorative video project to screen on the ANZAC Day weekend.

MSO Chorus. Image supplied

Australian poet Banjo Paterson wrote the lyrics to the famous bush-ballad in 1895. It was published as sheet music in 1903 and recorded for the first time in 1926. Since then Waltzing Matilda has been recorded more times than any other Australian song, and is widely regarded as Australia’s unofficial national anthem.

The MSO has commissioned a new arrangement from Australian composer, Joe Twist, and is now inviting singers who want to become part of the project to register online.

The project is part of MSO’s commitment to #KeepTheMusicGoing through the COVID-19 pandemic, and is presented in partnership with Ryman Healthcare, Premier Partner of the MSO.

MSO Managing Director Sophie Galaise said that the Waltzing...