The first Denmark Festival of Voice, held over the long weekend, was a fantastic weekend, according to the organizers, Denmark Arts. "We had intended to start small", said Graham Mason, the festival coordinator, "and while it wasn't really small, in every other way it exceeded our expectations!"

Festival favourites - Akasa

The festival started on Friday night, with concerts and workshops all through Saturday and Sunday, and finished on Sunday night with an amazing final concert. This saw a huge crowd in the newly-refurbished Civic Centre for the "Singing to the Lord" gospel concert, culminating with the awesome Perth-based Band of Angels gospel choir.

And then, while the final strains of the 45-strong choir were still ringing in everyone's ears, the festival special guests - the incredible Melbourne-based a cappella quartet Akasa - led a special "Big Sing" choir of about 120 voices through three final songs. Their last song, "Walk with Me", saw the entire audience rise to their feet, hands raised in appreciation.

Band of Angels

Other stand-outs of the concert included local quintet Slap my thighs and call me Barbara, who impressed many Perth visitors, and Don Smith, a clown and actor from Perth, who reduced audiences to tears (of laughter) with his songs and jokes.

The weekend featured 20 choirs, ensembles and small groups, and was attended by over 500 people. It was created to bring Western Australian singers together, and featured groups from Perth, the south-west, Albany and Denmark. "We wanted to build community for singers, by providing a festival with excellent workshops, great concerts, and great audiences for the singers" said Graham Mason, "and judging by the feedback we received, we have met that goal."

Concerts and singing workshops were held in the Civic Centre and the small Anglican Hall, while workshops were also held in the Ambulance Hall and the CWA hall. "All of these venues are really close together, so that the wet weather didn't really cause a problem" said Graham Mason.

The audience rises for the Big Sing

One performer at the festival, Steve Barnes, was well placed to judge the festival success. Steve is the musical director of Western Australia's premier music festival, Fairbridge, and said that "it was a fantastic first year. We are delighted to see another festival starting so strongly, and wish Denmark every success". He also praised the refurbished Civic Centre, saying that "Fairbridge would love to have a venue as good".

Festival organizers noted that the influx of visitors will have provided a significant boost to Denmark's economy in an otherwise wet long weekend. They are very pleased that this sort of festival uses our existing infrastructure, and benefits our local retailers such as The Lion's Den, Lushus Cafe, The Spot Cafe and the Fig Tree Cafe, the festival clubs.

"Our financial support came from local businesses, especially FFF Productions, the sound engineers, and from the Shire. But we had a relatively small amount of grant money considering the impact it had on Denmark for the weekend" said Graham Mason. "It was mainly possible because of the support of the big choirs, and our fantastic Denmark volunteers! Thanks go to them all", he said.