Lituania
Adelaide Lithuanian Choir
The Lithuanian choir
established in August 1949 as a male choir and later a mixed choir, conducted
by Vaclovas Simkus. After several
performances, the choir having given the name, Lituania. Amongst the choir
where several talented members, who had studied singing or music before fleeing
Lithuania at the end of WWII.
The choir created a
hard-bound book with Lituania
embossed in gold letters across the front.
Beginning in 1949 the book Commemorating milestones was important to the community. Significant years were celebrated with concerts that were recorded with the program and signatures of audiences. Ornately hand written congratulations and compliments were lovingly recorded by Lithuanian and Australians. It was important to the Lithuanians to make a commanding impression in their adopted country. They were proud of their culture and their talents, and wanted to be recognized as being more than the labourers that they were on arrival to Australia.
Beginning in 1949 the book Commemorating milestones was important to the community. Significant years were celebrated with concerts that were recorded with the program and signatures of audiences. Ornately hand written congratulations and compliments were lovingly recorded by Lithuanian and Australians. It was important to the Lithuanians to make a commanding impression in their adopted country. They were proud of their culture and their talents, and wanted to be recognized as being more than the labourers that they were on arrival to Australia.
The choir performed
at a variety of non-Lithuanian events such Royal South Australian Society of
Arts Annual Christmas Party, International concert in aid of the World Student
Relief at the Teachers College, Good Neighbour Council of SA and the Loreto
Mothers Club Concert held at Loreto on Saturday 14th June 1952.
Hand written in blue
ink, Constance W. McCarthy, President of the Loreto Convent Mothers Club and
Monica B Walsh, Secretary left this note.
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