Gospel Freedom Workshop
Fri 7 - Sun 9 July 2023 | 3-day workshop
A journey of spirited music with Maria Lurighi and Andrew Legg
Lift up your hearts and sing | Workshop includes performance in Grand Finale
Music has a way of piercing into the deepest parts of our soul. Songs of celebration have the power to move us. Songs of lament can lead us to tears. Singing together is an act of humanity, whether you observe the choir devoting themselves to a piece of music, or you are indeed in the choir, immersed in that moment of devotion. Singing assists in our freedom of expression and this workshop is here to help you find your own personal sense of freedom. Led by Maria Lurighi and Andrew Legg who have cemented themselves as leaders in the teaching of gospel music here in Tasmania.
There is lot within gospel music that anyone can identify with: themes of love, peace, or wanting to be a better person. The workshop will provide a rich experience in gospel singing and the choir will explore the nuances of vocal qualities required. The repertoire includes a cross section of works from varying genres, all of which are emotional, spirited and full of energy.
Repertoire includes;*
Set Me Free – Myron Butler
Let Freedom Ring – Andrew Legg and Kristian Dentley
We Shall Overcome – arranged by Robert T. Gibson, as sung by the Aeolians.
*current at time of publication
Workshop Fee
Full Price – $235
Concession – $205
Full time secondary and tertiary students, Pension concession card holders, Senior card holders, Companion card holders, Veteran Affairs, TPI and health care card holders, children under 12
*A booking fee of $3.00 applies, plus a 2.2% basket fee which will be calculated at check-out.
DURATION
Fri 7 July – Sun 9 July
3 – Day Workshop
Workshop Suitability
Anyone who connects with the soulful power of gospel. No music reading required but some experience in energy-filled group singing is of benefit. A wonderful experience for people who like to stand up, move around and feel the power of song.
What's included
This fee will cover the cost of your music, festival accreditation, light refreshments and specially negotiated accommodation rates.
*A Booking Fee of $3.00 applies, plus a 2.2% Basket Fee which will be calculated at check-out. All bookings are non-refundable. You can find the full Conditions of Sale here.

Maria Lurighi has studied with Peter Rorke and Russell Smith. In 1981, Maria was the youngest finalist in the Armstrong-Martin Scholarship. While studying singing, she also undertook three years of drama training with Graham Byrne at the University of Southern Queensland. Maria has performed the roles of Carmen, Magda Sorell (The Consul), Marcellina, Cherubino and Countess (Marriage of Figaro) all in collaboration with Peter Rorke as well Calliope in Orpheus and the Underworld.
Maria has sung with many of the great Jazz and R&B artists of Australia, including Gary Costello, Alan Browne, Barry Duggan, Paul Rettke, Ike Issacs, Marcie Howard, Rose Bygreaves, Dave Steele and Michael Spiby. Classically, Maria has performed many concert programs with such artists as Bracchi Tilles, Spiros Rantos, Natlia Afeyan, Hartmutt Lindeman, Ben Martin and David Kramm. Her performances include Overhead at Inveresk, an opera commissioned for the 2001 ‘Ten Days on the Island’ festival, and Spargere for voice and string quartet, both composed by David Young. Maria has also performed new commissions by Rae Marcellino and Con Koukios. Maria has performed on many occasions as a soloist with the TSO and has also hosted an evening of “Olympic Spirit” with the TSO including the world premiere, in 2004, of Olympic Spirit by Constantine Koukios. She has also performed sell-out seasons at the ‘Melbourne International Festival’ and ‘Ten Days on the Island’.
Maria has recorded as a soloist and is the vocal coach for the Southern Gospel Choir which, in 2006, made the finals of the Aria awards with Great Day: He takes the pain away making Margaret Throsby’s top 100 songs for 2006.
Legg continues his long-standing relationship with multi Grammy award winning gospel artists Myron Butler (God’s Property, Kirk Franklin, Levi, Potters House) and Khristian Dentley (Take 6, BoL). Together they have formed a songwriting and production team that has produced two award-winning albums, with two hit gospel songs (My Forever Friend and Let Freedom Ring). The ‘three amigos’ have also formed the team that has underpinned the incredibly successful gospel workshops at Festival of Voices. Dentley and Legg have now taken their dynamic partnership to a completely new level, with a ‘gospel boot-camp’ workshop they tour internationally, and to critical acclaim.
Legg founded the now iconic 130-voice UTAS Conservatorium Southern Gospel Choir in 2000, and their debut CD, Great Day was nominated for an ARIA (World Music) in August of 2005, and along with musical partner, Badloves founder and longtime friend Michael Spiby, have now released the SGC’s much anticipated second studio album, High On A Mountain, and first DVD, Brighter Day. Legg toured his 90-voice SGC and band across the US in 2014, selling out houses in Atlanta, Dallas, Tuskegee and Las Angeles, including a live broadcast from the 8000-seat filled-to-capacity Potters House church that reached over 5 million viewers world-wide.
VENUE: The Hedberg: The Salon
Getting to the venue
- The Hedberg Salon is at 19-27 Campbell St, Hobart TAS 7000
- Drop off car spaces are available at the entrance to the Theatre Royal and Hedberg on Collins Street.
- 2 accessible parking spaces are available outside the Theatre Royal and Hedberg on Collins Street (1 hour time limit applies)
Accessibility
Guide Dog / Registered Assistance Animals welcome
Wheelchair Accessibility
- For wheelchair bookings please contact the festival with specifications and dimensions of the wheelchair and any additional user requirements.
- Access to The Hedberg Salon is on Ground Level.
- Accessible bathrooms are available on Ground Level.
VENUE: Federation Concert Hall
Getting to the venue
- Federation Concert Hall is within Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart, 1 Davey Street, Hobart TAS 7000
- A drop-off zone is located at the front of Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart, accessible from the far-right lane of Davey Street, just after Evans Street.
- Accessible parking spaces are available in the Hotel Grand Chancellor car park. To access this space, please drive into the drop-off zone and request valet park the car for you. More accessible parking can be found along Davey Street by turning into Dunn Place Carpark, on the right past Campbell Street, or turning into the Mures car park, on the left past Campbell Street.
- Please follow this link for a virtual tour of the Federation Concert Hall Auditorium (titled Federation Plenary Hall). Please note that lighting designs will not be as featured in this tour at Festival of Voices events.
Accessibility
Guide Dogs/Registered Assistance Animals welcome
Wheelchair accessibility
- For wheelchair bookings, please contact the festival with specifications and dimensions of the wheelchair and any additional user requirements.
- The Federation Concert Hall stalls are accessible from ground level and the dress circle is accessible for wheelchair users via the lift at reception.
- Accessible bathrooms are available at this venue.
Conditions of sale
- Read the full conditions of sale.
- Festival of Voices adheres to the Live Performance Australia Ticketing Code of Practice.
- All tickets are non-refundable, unless otherwise specified on the specific event page.
- Read the full terms and conditions of sale and entry.
FAQs
Read our frequently asked questions.
Contact us
For assistance please contact us on 03 6224 5975 or at info@festivalofvoices.com.
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