Maestro moves over for new talent

The church choir has enjoyed the expertise of former Channel 9 music director and Midday maestro Geoff Harvey for more than six years.

And the talent in leadership ranks has continued since Mr Harvey recently handed over the reins of the job to Sydney Conservatorium of Music graduate Keva Abotomey.

Keva, 24, is no stranger to the musical appeal that has become commonplace at the church over many years.

She was involved in the school choir, which regularly performed at the church, while a primary school student at nearby St Thomas Aquinas Catholic School and continued in the church choir when she moved on to Bowral High School. She was also an altar server at the church from Year 6.

The talented singer, pianist and flautist continued to share her skills, under the guidance of Mr Harvey, after she had moved on to tertiary studies at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

"I was singing every weekend during my uni course, which maintained my love of music," she said.

Keva was absent from the church choir for about two years while working in London, but she is now back and keen to inspire others in her love of music.

She is a casual teacher at local primary schools and as well she teaches music in private lessons.

But she is equally excited, and a little overawed, about her voluntary role as the new St?Thomas Aquinas Church musical director.

"Geoff has done an incredible job over the years, writing the music and directing the choir - I have really big shoes to fill," she said.

"He may have stepped down from the musical director's role, but he is still very much available, providing music he has written and guiding me along the way - you can't get much better than that."

Keva said she decided to take on the top musical job at the church because she thought it was a good way to give something back to those who had supported her musical career.

The young talent, who said she had been singing since she was a very young child, was especially looking forward to sharing her love of song, singing together and incorporating harmonies.

"It's a much bigger task than I thought it would be, but I'm lucky that everyone is so supportive," she said.

"It must be tough to go from a leader with the wisdom and knowledge of Geoff Harvey to a 24-year-old, but I'm keen to offer all I can and take on the advice and ideas of others.

"I'm lucky there is already so much talent in the church choir and more being discovered all the time.

"I look forward to highlighting the talent in the choir by giving more of them a moment in the spotlight.

"I'm also learning a lot along the way and one of my biggest lessons so far has been learning to play the organ."

The St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church choir practices each Tuesday at the church on the corner of Merrigang and Bendooley streets, Bowral, from 7.30pm.

There are no auditions and new members are always welcome.

The choir sings in the church on the first Sunday of each month from 9am.