Darwin choir says ‘ciao’ Italian tour

A Charles Darwin University choirmaster and about 40 members of his troupe are raising funds to perform in Milan, Italy, alongside the choral ensemble that sang at his baptism.

VoxCrox community choir will embark on the trip of a lifetime in September, with a full Australian repertoire, as well as new music to perform with Coro Aspis Milano, at a performance commemorating World War I.

CDU’s Centre for Youth and Community Music director Paolo Fabris said VoxCrox was invited to collaborate with the Milan choir, which his father co-founded in 1960, when he visited his birth country in 2016.

“I have never done a tour like this before and it will be the first time in Europe for many of our members,” Mr Fabris said.

The choir will travel by coach during the action-packed two-week trip, which will include performances in Rome, Florence and at a castle in the small Tuscan village of Castagnetoli where Mr Fabris was born.

The choir’s most senior singer at 84 years old, Joan Fensom, said age was no barrier to an adventure.

“I hesitated briefly, and then I thought: ‘I’m going on tour’,” Joan said. 

“I’m very active for my age and I’ve been singing all my life.”

VoxCrox will perform during a “Send the Crox to Milan” fundraising gala dinner at the Italian Club Darwin on 29 July.

The choir also is seeking community support to help fund travel expenses. To help, visit W: gofundme.com/voxcrox