Mackay seniors enjoy songs of an early Aussie 'pop singer'
Published on 19 March, 2002
Mackay seniors are set to enjoy the songs of Peter Dawson, who was a forerunner to Australia's internationally renowned pop singers such as Peter Allen.
Dawson, who was a great Aussie musical export of the early 1900s, was renowned for singing the popular Australian bush songs and ballads of the time.
Half a century later, Peter Allen's renditions of 'I Still Call Australia Home' and 'Tenterfield Saddler' continued the tradition.
The Dawson songs will be revived by Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music voice lecturer Garrick Jones, with accompaniment by CQCM pianist Judith Brown and guest spots by talented students.
The first concert in the Peter Dawson series for Golden Years audiences will be officially launched by Member for Whitsunday Jan Jarrett, at 1pm on Friday, March 22.
The Peter Dawson concerts will be free of charge and held in the foyer of the Conservatorium on a series of six Fridays during the year. Details are available on 4940 7801.
Garrick Jones said that, after the first World War, the great Australian ballad became popular, although it was written for a serious-sounding classical-trained voice.
He said Peter Dawson was undoubtedly one of Australia’s greatest proponents of this style of music.
"He was born in Adelaide in 1882, dying in Sydney in 1961. He went to Britain and auditioned for the well known impresario Charles Santley who arranged his first concert tour in 1902. This concert tour launched his impressive career of concert and operatic performances. Dawson described himself as a ‘singer of the people’ and believed that it was essential to communicate directly with his public. He was renowned for his clear speech and impeccable diction.
"The programme which we present includes many favourites of the period scanning 1920 to 1950 and includes WG James’ well known song cycle “Six Australian Bush Songs” composed in 1922. There are many well known favourites in the progamme including “The Road to Mandalay” which made Dawson an even more popular artist during the second World War."