Written by Jon van Wyk
When local dance school doyen, Cleone McRoberts, asked long time musical legend and renowned soprano Tracy Wright to put together a group of singers to perform at her ’50 years of Dance’ celebrations last year, neither could have guessed that it would be the beginning of a highly successful collaboration of talented local singers. At the time Cleone gave Tracy the brief to; ‘find some singers and compile a list of songs representative of the decades since she had begun teaching dance in Maryborough’.
For Tracy this was the perfect opportunity to combine her enduring love of Jazz and live performance in a formal setting such as the Brolga Theatre. Conscious of a tight deadline, she reached out to a group of singers fresh from their performances in ‘We Will Rock You,’ and Tracy’s own self-penned sellout cabaret show, ‘An Evening at La Pierre.’
Not long afterwards, a line up comprising of Tracy Wright (Soprano), Kim Dryden (Mezzo Soprano), Sigrid Moar (Mezzo), Lachie Youngberry (Baritone/Tenor) and Jon van Wyk (Baritone/Bass), met around a kitchen table and began the process of choosing and rehearsing songs. From this relatively incongruous start, ‘The Perfect Fifth’ was born.
From the outset it was obvious that these vocalists possessed a pleasing and complementary blend of vocal ranges and styles. After several rehearsals, a smooth and unified ‘jazz-styled sound’ began to emerge-albeit timidly at first, eventually becoming synonymous with the group’s ability to seamlessly blend individual voices with close harmonies woven together over the melodies of well-known classics. Lightning in a bottle, some might say.
By the time Cleone’s gala event was held a few short weeks later, the group had assembled an impressive repertoire of songs incorporating standards from musicals including Chicago, Annie Get Your Gun, Grease and Westside Story.
By all accounts the night was a runaway success, ending in rapturous applause from the packed house who danced and sang along for the entire performance, highlights of which included, the ladies pitch perfect rendition of the jazz styled classics ‘Cell Block Tango’ and Kim’s buttery smooth version of ‘Roxy.’
Fast on the heels of this success were stellar performances by ‘Perfect Fifth Member’s at the sold out ‘Great Gatsby’ themed charity event in support of The St Mary’s College World Choir Games Team, heading to New Zealand. This soiree also featured several guest appearances from musical glitterati such as Alex Kunst, Linda Davis, Chloe Wright, Chloe-Lee Mahony and Rachel Damms accompanied by superb local pianist Rosi Livingstone.
Not long afterwards, a surprise invitation for a command performance at the Maryborough Art’s Society end of year dinner was extended to the group and lauded by an appreciative audience.
Finally, Perfect Fifth members lent their talents to the Christmas Tree lighting ceremony outside the Town Hall to round off an exciting debut year of live musical performances.
Further performances by The Perfect Fifth will be scheduled later this year. Please contact Tracy Wright on 0428 235 271 for bookings.