Illuminations concert to light up St Mary’s Cathedral

02 Nov 2016

By The Record

Australian conductor Jangoo Chapkhana said he hoped the music featured in the Illuminations concert would inspire and delight the audience. Photo: Supplied

The end of the Jubilee Year of Mercy will be celebrated with a spectacular concert event on 20 November at St Mary’s Cathedral, Perth.

Directed by Australian conductor Jangoo Chapkhana, the Illuminations concert is expected to attract up to a thousand people and will shine a light on acts of mercy in our community.

Widely regarded as one of Australia’s most polished all-round musicians, Jangoo Chapkhana is a soloist, composer, choral specialist and jazz artist.

His teaching and solo performing engagements have taken him to cathedrals around the world, including Westminster Abbey and Washington National Cathedral.

He is the founder and Artistic Director of the West Australian chorale, Lux et Veritas, and Camerata 1685, an elite chamber orchestra whom he will conduct in this program of music by American composer, Morten Lauridsen.

The program will feature Lauridsen’s Ave Maria, O Magnum Mysterium and Lux Aeterna.

Mr Chapkhana said he hoped the music would inspire and delight the audience.

“The compositions are sublimely beautiful and written in a style which connects emotionally and spiritually with any audience, regardless of their musical tastes,” he said.

Four Catholic schools of Mercy: Aranmore Catholic College, Mercedes College, Santa Maria College and St Brigid’s College have joined with MercyCare to present the concert.

Part proceeds will go to Aranmore College in Leederville, which is the only Catholic school in WA to have a New Arrivals Learning Centre.

The Centre assists students from overseas, including refugees and asylum seekers, who need preparation lessons before they can enter mainstream schooling.

It also offers lessons in English and academic writing to ensure students can adapt to Australian schooling and culture.

MercyCare CEO, Chris Hall, said the organisation wanted to support the Centre because its programs are closely aligned with MercyCare’s work with asylum seekers in the community.

“MercyCare operates services which help more than 650 refugees and asylum seekers living in WA,” he said.

“MercyCare and the collaborating schools recognise that making sure asylum seeker and refugee children have access to education when they first arrive in WA is critical to their development.

“We believe refugees and asylum seekers have valuable contributions to make to our society, and we want to offer our support to help them reach their potential.”

The community is invited to come and share in this special event. For more information visit www.mercycare.com.au/illuminations

MercyCare is a leading Catholic provider of aged care, family, health, disability and community services. We employ over 1000 staff and 175 volunteers, delivering more than 40 person-centred programs and services, from over 35 locations throughout Western Australia.