Mapleton and District Community Association (MADCA) is pleased to be able to support the district choir to ensure its continuity. 

 “The grant is part of an initiative of MADCA enabled by the success of the revised Mapleton Country Market held monthly at the Mapleton School,” said MADCA Vice-president Peter Gamgee. “The grant scheme is designed to support those not-for-profit organisations that contribute positively to the community.

“The choir certainly does that by providing a social group with beneficial activities for those involved, and in contributing their time to support other community events such as the Mapleton RSL-organised ANZAC day ceremony. 

“We encourage the choir to continue and develop further under the new musical director’s guidance, and we look forward to seeing and hearing performances at future community events.”

Mapleton Choir secretary, Kathie Buswell said: “After 40 years you could say the Mapleton Choir is in for a year of new beginnings. We have been lucky enough to have secured Brian Martin to start us off in 2024.” 

The new musical director has spent much of his 25+ year musical career teaching, including lecturing at various universities and conducting numerous choirs and workshops, touring nationally and internationally, as a musician and a facilitator.  

Rehearsals have begun on a diverse new repertoire with the theme ‘Mostly Mozart to Mercury’ which the choir will learn in 4-part harmony to perform for family, friends, and community at two concerts on the 1st and 2nd June.

“We are encouraging new members to commence singing with us, already this year we have 15 new members,” Kathie said. “Now is the time to put your hand up, join up, sing up, and make your Monday’s musical by attending rehearsals at the Kureelpa Hall from 7-9pm! 

“We are so very appreciative to MADCA who are very kindly supporting The Mapleton Choir in 2024 with this grant. Thank You.” 

Choir members gave heartfelt thanks to the MADCA representatives, saying, “The choir would not have continued if not for the MADCA grant.” 

• Contact MADCA at madca.inc@gmail.com or information@madca.com.au to receive our monthly community newsletter, Community Connect. See our websites at madca.com.au and mapletonqueensland.com.au.