“Ladies and gentlemen, please make sure that your mobile phones are switched off,” sung the choristers of Sydney Philharmonia Choir’s young adult ensemble VOX, in perfect four-part harmony and with precise, crisp diction. “Do it now.”

Finnish composer Jaakko Mäntyjärvi’s cheeky Announcements – a playful nod to the formality of concert etiquette – was a light-hearted crowd warmer for what was a diverse program comprised almost entirely of contemporary Australian choral music, led by conductor Elizabeth Scott in the Sydney Opera House’s Utzon Room as part of the Crescendo Series.

From the fluttering fricatives of Matthew Orlovich’s Butterflies Dance– setting the poetry of Michael J Smith and underpinned by a texture woven through with the repeated word “fly, fly, fly” – to Ruth McCall’s chant-infused arrangement of Waltzing Matilda, VOX demonstrated a remarkable flexibility, mirroring the diverse influences of Australia’s choral composers.

Among the highlights were the powerful a cappella Ban. Garay movement from Paul Stanhope’s 2014 dramatic cantata Jandamarra – about the life of the young Bunuba warrior and resistance hero – and Ross Edwards’ rhythmic, driving Mountain Chant were highlights. Other highlights included the two world premieres on the program, the first of which was Ella Macens’ We Were Not Ready, an exploration of grief following...