SYDNEY A cappella
ensemble Ecopella will launches its first CD, An Organism Called Earth,
on March 1 at the Newtown Neighbourhood Centre.
Founded in 1998, the Sydney-based Ecopella was the first Australian choir to focus its repertoire on the environment: its beauty and fragility, the threats it faces and how we can all help to preserve it.
An Organism Called Earth represents four years of gathering remarkable environmental songs from Australia and overseas, a number written by choir members, and arranging them for unaccompanied voices.
The title track is an ambitious sonic tapestry and green manifesto by former choir member Paul Spencer who contributes four songs to the CD.
Ecopella, led by musical director Miguel Heatwole, sings at environmental campaign launches and protests, community gatherings and folk festivals. The choir's aim is to increase public awareness of environmental issues and build the cultural strength of green politics.
An Organism Called Earth creates a diverse musical landscape with a range of moods, from the sombre to the hilarious, but unified by an approach that is passionate, chorally sophisticated and a beautiful shade of green.
British-based folk duo James Fagan and Nancy Kerr and respected Sydney singer/songwriter John Warner will help Ecopella celebrate the launch of An Organism Called Earth. Host for the evening is Greens candidate for Marrickville Colin Hesse.
Further information, phone Miguel Heatwole on (02) 9810 4601. For more detail about Ecopella's repertoire, visit <http://www.ecopella.live.com.au>.
From Green Left Weekly, February 26, 2003.
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