Carols by Candlelight
It has been suggested that this article should be Carols by Candlelight (Melbourne). (discuss ) (February 2023) |
Carols by Candlelight | |
---|---|
Genre | Christmas |
Dates | 24 December (Christmas Eve) |
Location(s) | Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
Years active | 1938–present |
Founded by | Norman Banks |
Website | carols |
Carols by Candlelight is an annual Australian Christmas tradition that was popularised in Melbourne in 1938.[1] The tradition has since spread around the world. It involves people gathering, usually outdoors in a park, to sing carols by candlelight, featuring live performances by both national and international celebrities accompanied by a symphony orchestra.
Vision Australia's Carols by Candlelight
Vision Australia's Carols by Candlelight is the oldest Carols by Candlelight event in Australia.
History
Carols by Candlelight, held in Melbourne, Victoria, was introduced in 1938 by radio announcer
Following World War II, the Carols became so well patronised that the decision was made to move it to the neighbouring park in Kings Domain.[citation needed] In 1959, the newly constructed Sidney Myer Music Bowl provided a permanent venue, where they are still held more than 60 years on as of 2023.
Funds raised from donations, ticket, and candle sales are given to Vision Australia (formerly the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind, (RVIB)).[
In recent years,[when?] the dress rehearsal on 23 December has become open to the public. Tickets to the event are cheaper than the main event, while funds raised still go towards Vision Australia. The event has become almost as popular as the main event in recent years.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there were no crowds for the 2020 event; it was the first time no crowds were allowed since its 1938 inception.[2][3] Crowds were allowed in 2021, but all attendees (10,000 people) needed to have had the COVID vaccination.[4][5]
Hosts and broadcast
The event was originally hosted by its founder Melbourne sports broadcaster Norman Banks and broadcast live over radio station 3KZ.
The 1956 Carols By Candlelight was the first to be broadcast on television, as part of
When Banks left 3KZ in 1952,
Years | Hosts | Broadcaster | Television |
---|---|---|---|
1938–1951 | Norman Banks | 3KZ | GTV-9 (1956)
|
1952–1968 | Philip Gibbs | ||
1969–1971 | Network Ten
| ||
1979–1987 | Brian Naylor | 3AW[7] | Nine Network |
1988–2007 | Ray Martin | ||
1999 | Glenn Ridge and Jennifer Keyte | ||
2008–2012 | Lisa Wilkinson and Karl Stefanovic | ||
2013–2016 | David Campbell
| ||
2017–2018 | David Campbell
| ||
2019 | David Campbell
| ||
2020 | Livinia Nixon and Eddie McGuire[8][9] | ||
2021 | David Campbell[10]
| ||
2022 | David Campbell[11]
| ||
2023 | David Campbell[12]
|
Performers
Performers for the event vary from year to year. Regular performers include David Hobson, Marina Prior, Silvie Paladino, Denis Walter and Anthony Callea. Australian children's band Hi-5 headlined children's segments from 1999 to 2019. Nine Network stars have starred in the event in recent years. Contestants from The Voice Australia have also starred in the event from 2012 to 2020.
The Vision Australia's Carols by Candlelight Choir, Australian Girls Choir and National Boys Choir of Australia appear on the show each year as supporting acts in numerous of the performances.
In 1938, the massed choirs were led by Horace Stevens, who was followed in the position by Max Balderson. Since 1988, Douglas Heywood has held the position of Choral Director.[citation needed]
The long-serving musical director from 1984 to 2002 was Geoff Harvey.[13] Since 2003, John Foreman has filled the position.[14]
In earlier years, Carols by Candlelight had a strong classical music theme, and a noticeable religious influence. The
Other carols events
Most cities and towns in Australia hold a night-time carols event in the lead-up to Christmas.
Sydney
Carols in the Domain have been held annually since 1983, originally on the last Saturday evening before Christmas Eve, and on the last Sunday evening before Christmas Eve since 2016. They are televised in Australia and sometimes in other countries.
Brisbane
Carols in the City is held on Riverstage in the Brisbane Botanic Gardens and on television throughout Queensland.
Perth
In
Adelaide
In
In the Adelaide suburb of Modbury, the annual Civic Park Carols attracts the second biggest crowd of its type (community) in Australia,[citation needed] with about 40,000 people attending the seventh edition in 2018.[17]
Hobart
In Hobart, due to the urban nature of the city, there are three main carols services. One each in Clarence, Glenorchy and the main ceremony is held in the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens by Variety - the Children's Charity of Tasmania.
Canberra
In Canberra the annual Carols by Candlelight is held in Commonwealth Park on Stage 88. 2019 will be its 75th occurrence. This is the second longest-running Carols in a capital city. It is a traditional Carols with community singing of carols led by Woden Valley Youth Choir and one of the local bands such as Canberra City Band. Guest Artists are featured - usually drawn from the local community. Donations are collected for a local charity with $14,180 raised in 2012 for the Snowy Hydro Southcare Helicopter service. In 2011 Auslan interpreters started to provide interpretation for members of the regional deaf community[18]
Darwin
Carols by Candlelight is held at the George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens each year, raising money for charity.
Around Victoria
- Carols in the Park is held annually in North Balwyn. In 2011 it moved to Macleay Park, North Balwyn. In 2012, 10,000 people attended the celebration in Victoria.[19]
- Carols at Como Park is held annually in South Yarra by the City of Stonnington.
- Denis Walter's Carols by the Bay is held on the first Saturday of December in Geelong. It is held at Eastern Beach and is a free event.
- The City of Monash organises the large annual Carols by Candlelight event in Jells Park, hosted by Pete Smith. It has attracted up to 25,000 people and has been running for over 25 years.
- In the City of Yarra a large Carols by Candlelight event has recently been held in the Abbotsford Convent gardens.
- In the City of Manningham a large Carols by Candlelight event is held annually in Ruffey Lake Park.
- In Werribee Park Mansion. This event takes place on the second week of December.
Other
- In Newcastle, New South Wales, Carols by Candlelight are held in mid-December at King Edward Park in the city near the beach.
- In the City of Lake Macquarie, Carols are held each year at Speers Point Park in mid-December on the edge of Lake Macquarie.
See also
References
- ^ "Norman Banks".
- ^ Knox, David (5 November 2020). "No crowds for Carols by Candlelight". TV Tonight. TV Tonight. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
- ^ Perry, Kevin (5 November 2020). "Carols by Candlelight will continue, but no crowds in 2020". TV Blackbox. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
- ^ Knox, David (4 November 2021). "Crowds to return for Carols by Candlelight". TV Tonight. TV Tonight. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
- ^ Perry, Kevin (4 November 2021). "The crowds will be back for Carols by Candlelight". TV Blackbox. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
- ^ "The Age". 20 December 1956.
- ^ "TV and radio | Vision Australia's Carols by Candlelight".
- ^ "Livinia Nixon, David Campbell to host Carols by Candlelight". TV Tonight. 27 November 2020.
- ^ "EDDIE MCGUIRE to host 2020 Carols By Candlelight after David CAMPBELL forced to pull out". TV Blackbox. 18 December 2020. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
- ^ Knox, David (8 November 2021). "David Campbell & Ally Langdon to host Carols by Candlelight". TV Tonight.
- ^ Molk, Steve (10 December 2022). "DAVID CAMPBELL and BROOKE BONEY host Vision Australia's CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT". TV Blackbox. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
- ^ "Music phenomenon G Flip to light up carols stage on Christmas Eve & David Campbell and Sarah Abo to host". Nine for Brands. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
- ^ "Harvey, Geoff - People and organisations". Trove. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
- ^ "About John".
- ^ Photo Gallery of PerthNow, 2012 Carols by Candlelight Retrieved 26 April 2013
- ^ Rain stays away for Carols by Candlelight at Elder Park Retrieved 27 April 2013
- ^ Thousands of people are packing Civic Park at Modbury for the annual Christmas Carols (video news report), Channel 9 News, 16 December 2018
- ^ Canberrans in tune with carol spirit Retrieved 8 July 2013
- ^ Carols By Candlelight singers wow thousands of families at the Sidney Myer Music bowl Retrieved 27 April 2013
External links
- Vision Australia official site
- Carols by Candlelight had lonely beginning (Includes further information on Norman Banks)
- Council Conflicts over carols by candlelight at ABC News Australia Retrieved 27 April 2013
- Woden Valley Youth Choir website