Successful ACRATH Concert in WA

Audience Well Entertained

A fundraising concert organised by Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans (ACRATH) in WA recently raised more than $4000. The concert was held at the Loreto Nedlands Performing Arts Centre on Sunday, 30 August, and was attended by more than 200 people. The funds raised will go towards supporting victims of trafficking, raising further awareness of human trafficking and contribute to current advocacy work.

Performances included the Archdiocesan Occasional Choir and Julian Singers, accompanied by pianist Margaret De San Miguel and conducted by Chris deSilva, who sang a range of songs, including Dvorak’s O Sing unto the Lord, Verdi’s Coro Di Schiavi Ebrei and Arcadelt’s Ave Maria. Local performer Christopher Waddell sang two spiritual pieces, as well as Abide with me (Lyte), and then a duet with Terry Burridge from Mozart’s Don Giovanni. Ms Burridge also sang Agnus Dei from Bizet and Gounod’s O Divine Redeemer. St Mary’s Cathedral principal cantor, Carly Power, excelled in her renditions of Laudate Dominum, Bester Jungling (Mozart) and Faure’s Pie Jesu, in addition to a beautiful Irish traditional Oh Danny Boy. All soloists were beautifully accompanied by St Mary’s Cathedral Director of Music, Jacinta Jakovcevic.  Conductor Chris deSilva also kept the crowd entertained, contributing three numbers, of which When the Sergeant Major’s on Parade by Ernest Longstaffe was a stand-out, in addition to performing in honour of a recently deceased member of the Julian Singers.

ACRATH Co-Ordinator, Sr Lucy van Kessel pbvm spoke at the commencement and conclusion of the concert and said that in the time the concert took, some 240 children would be trafficked internationally. Sr Lucy paid tribute to the ACRATH volunteers and concert performers, who all donated their time and efforts to produce an interesting, varied program. She thanked the crowd who participated very well in the raffle and in giving donations.