Media and Reviews
Two of our singers, Kerry Bennett (Soprano 2) and Marisa McArthur (Soprano 1) had the pleasure of appearing on ABC’s Tasmania Afternoons with Joel Reinberger. We talked about our 2024 performance, She Walks In Beauty, and the wonders of the Tasmanian classical singing scene.
10 May 2024. Our segment starts at 01:17:30.
‘We had the most wonderful time at your concert last night! Thank you for the truly beautiful music. I especially loved the Arnesen, Runestad, and Chilcott. The music brought both of us to tears, because it reminded us of how significant choral music was in our lives and how much we’ve missed it. We also love your focus on recent repertoire. Thank you for such a special evening. We are already looking forward to your Christmas Sing!’
— Audience member, September 2023
‘JESSA Chorus are out here casually nailing everything they put their minds and hearts to - they somehow seem to understand decades-ago me better than I understood myself at the time. How they do it, I don’t know, but their collective musicality is incredibly unique. ❤️’
— Ben van Tienen, April 2023
About JESSA’s performance of his piece Hear Me, April 2023. Learn more here.
‘Thank you for another superb concert last night. Such a treat for all the senses and a balm for the soul. The discovery of And So It Goes had me, and others, rapid revisiting Billy Joel’s back catalogue. Bravo!’
— Jane Longhurst, September 2023
‘JESSA is a new treble choir filling the niche in the Hobart choral scene encompassing classical repertoire, accessible new work and delightful reinterpretations of well-known standards. Having premiered during the 2022 Festival of Voices, the choir has grown into something of substance, power and great beauty.’
— Anne Blythe-Cooper, Stage Whispers, October 2022
Read the full review here.
‘We were extremely lucky last night to see the most superb concert from Hobart’s newest choir JESSA. It was a program of exceptional beauty and complexity of tone, expression and repertoire. Jane Edwards is the inspiration for the choir and clearly its guiding angel (as she is for so many lucky Hobart singers). On top of the delight of every single moment was the satisfaction of knowing this titan of the Tasmanian musical world was being acknowledged, at least for an evening, for her years of guidance and loving support for so many. Congratulations to accompanist Michael Power and to every single one of the choir who shone throughout.’
— Rod Anderson, former board member Theatre Royal, Theatre Council of Tasmania, and Contemporary Arts Tasmania, 22 Oct 2022
Read the full post here.
‘I loved, loved, loved last night’s concert. Amazing in so many ways. You filled my heart with joy and my soul with beautiful music. Thank you.’
— Penny McDonald, September 2023
‘A new choir consisting of teenagers through to [people] in their 60s will hold its first official concert this week, promising a spellbinding and diverse program of material.’
— Rob Inglis, The Mercury, 17 Oct 2022
Read the full article here.