Studio ‘24: A Disco Choir Experience

The magic that happens when human voices harmonise is one of life’s great mysteries and thrills. Combine that with classic Disco tunes and you have a very special musical treat. QPAC’s Chamber Choir of more than 50 voices have been busy channelling the spirit of New York’s infamous Studio 54 to create a fabulous night of entertainment in their Studio ‘24 celebration of Disco – the music that gets mirror balls spinning and toes tapping. What I loved about this performance – apart from the spectacular vocal talents and groovy live band – were the unexpected gems that popped up in the group’s pick and mix from five decades (yes, 50 years!) of Disco dance fever.

A besuited, besequinned and highly entertaining Choirmaster (and Musical Director), Timothy Sherlock, took us through the social history of Disco, illustrating the progression of the music with show-stopping songs, medleys and mash-ups that had the Concert Hall audience up on their feet and cheering with glee. The group began at the beginning with the Hues Corporation’s early 1970’s ‘Rock the Boat’, followed fleet of platformed foot by Donna Summer whose collaboration with Giorgio Moroder, ‘I Feel Love’ really opened the club doors. Around the same time, Chris Stein and Debbie Harry from Blondie wrote a little number they dubbed ‘The Disco Song’ with a slow funky beat, inspired by ‘Rock the Boat’. Produced by Australia’s ex-pat hit-making genius, Mike Chapman, that song still fills dance floors today. It’s iconic opening bass beat clued in the enthusiastic crowd to its better-known title of ‘Heart of Glass’. The Australian connection continued with the Brothers Gibb, and Andy Gibb’s hit single, ‘Shadow Dancing’, which was also a reminder of the unfortunate dark clouds on the horizon for Disco and its fans. But resilience became the clarion call, with new beats from Latin, Funk and Hip Hop influences ensuring Disco’s survival, illustrated in a brilliant medley of Michael Jackson’s ‘Rock With You’, Prince’s ‘1999’ and Madonna’s ‘Holiday’. The mash-ups were a wonderful way to showcase as many cross-overs and new styles as possible, leading us to the 1990s with a Girl Power quartet of M People’s ‘Moving On Up’, Cece Peniston’s ‘Finally’, the Spice Girls ‘Who Do You Think You Are’ and Madonna’s ‘Vogue’ complete with dance moves (or ‘choralography’) from the choir. It was so inspirational to see the group of all ages grooving to these great tracks. There were so many wonderful songs, including a Kylie medley – ‘Better the Devil You Know’, ‘Shocked’, ‘Can’t Get You Out of My Head’, ‘Padam Padam’ – providing a satisfying segue to today’s divas, including Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Miley Cyrus and Dua Lipa, whose ‘Dance the Night’ from the Barbie movie had everyone up showing off their moves.

I have to give credit to all the wonderful singers – they were all superb – and it was lovely to see them supported by friends and family in the audience. There were two soloists who deserve special mention for their Smash Hits worthy performances: Ellen Hockings gave us a funky version of Soul II Soul’s ‘Keep on Moving’, and Rose Boylan-Ascione delivered an absolute killer version of ‘Murder on the Dancefloor’ made chart-topping by Sophie Ellis-Bextor. The addictive music was recreated by QPAC’s house band – led by Tina Lui, with Justin Bliss (bass guitar), Rich Seymour and Steve Stiller (percussion), Toby Loveland (guitar), and Daniel Khoury (on the all-important synth), with ‘Choralography’ by Anja Ali-Haapala and glitter ball lighting magic by Andrew Haden.

In its own mash-up history, New York’s Studio 54 venue started as an Opera House in the 1920s, became a theatre and nightclub, music hall, soundstage and television studio. Its heyday as the glamorous dance venue that fashioned the Disco movement only lasted a few years at the tail end of the 1970s, but QPAC Chamber Choir’s gorgeous harmonies and superb song selection have reminded us that those positive and life-affirming Disco vibes live on long after the lights went out on Broadway.

Beth Keehn

Photographer: Darren Thomas

Find out more about QPAC Chamber Choir: qpac.com.au/engage/projects-and-events/qpac-choir