About the Choir
A CREATIVE ENSEMBLE
The Illawarra Choral Society grew out of the Illawarra Singers, established in 1947 with sixteen vocalists. The group quickly became a driving force in the development of choral music in the Illawarra, performing classic works with an ever growing number of choristers.
1954 saw the first combined choirs’ performance of Handel’s Messiah by the Choral Society, the Methodist Church choir, and singers from many other choirs in the district – a tradition which continues to this day, performed every other year.
The choir gives two major concerts each year, which aim to display different aspects of the Choral Society’s repertoire.
The ICS continues to proudly support young up and coming musicians and singers.
Dr Carlos Alvarado
MUSICAL DIRECTOR
Colombian born Australian Conductor, Carlos was appointed Musical Director of the Illawarra Choral Society in 2019.
Since his arrival to Australia in 2002, Carlos has been actively developing his musical career. He was appointed Musical Director of the Manly-Warringah Choir in April 2003. In 2004 Carlos was Co-founder of the Wollongong Symphony Orchestra, an orchestra that became a symbol of the cultural development in Wollongong and the Illawarra region (NSW) Australia.
Tania Mcgrath
ACCOMPANIST
Tania McGrath graduated from the Sydney Con where she studied piano with Elizabeth Powell. She also sang alto in Richard Gill’s ConSingers choir which presented repertoire from the sixteenth century right through to Gilbert & Sullivan and musicals like Oklahoma! This repertoire also included five complete annual performances of the St John Passion by JS Bach.
After moving to the Shoalhaven to start a family, Tania joined the Shoalhaven Lydian Singers in 1994 initially as an alto and then as accompanist, and was recently awarded Life Membership of the Lydians. She was involved in the Shoalhaven arm of the Southern Illawarra Music (choral) Festival for 20 years while working as a music specialist in a public school. She also trained as a Kodaly music educator during this time.
Tania currently has a successful private piano teaching practice and is involved with the City of Shoalhaven Eisteddfod committee as Instrumental Convenor.
