Yesterday, the quiet village of Galston came alive with a symphony of sound, delighting audiences with a live concert that truly showcased the Hills’ growing reputation as a cultural hub.
Nestled just beyond Dural, Galston Uniting Church may seem unassuming from the outside, but step inside and you discover a stunningly modern space. A spectacular stained-glass window bathes the sanctuary in colour, while a grand pipe organ, imported from Bavaria – dominates the stage. With its grand piano, state-of-the-art sound studio, and impressive video screens, this church is more than a place of worship: it has become a first-class performance venue.
The Hills is home to several such venues. St James Chapel at Anglicare’s Castle Hill Village, for example, seats up to 500 in comfortable style, with excellent acoustics and cutting-edge sound technology. In fact, it will soon host acclaimed theatre company Sport for Jove for “Bach and the Bard,” a fusion of Shakespeare and classical music performed by cellist Rachel Scott and harpist Genevieve Lang – though that particular concert is reserved for residents.
Today’s Galston program, however, was open to the public. The stage belonged to the Australian Estonian Choir “Kooskõlas”, conducted by Dr Naomi Cooper, who recently led the ensemble at the prestigious Estonian National Song Contest. With voices spanning generations, the choir filled the church with rich harmonies, joy, and a repertoire blending Estonian and Eastern European folk with modern choral works.
They were joined by acclaimed organist Fiona Loader, whose career includes performances across Europe and most recently at Stockholm’s Gustaf Vasa Cathedral. Her spellbinding rendition of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons: Winter on the church’s Bavarian pipe organ was a highlight of the afternoon, leaving the audience awestruck.
Behind these concerts stands local resident Ken Leeson, a professional organist and passionate advocate for live music in the Hills. Through his tireless efforts, the Galston Concerts series has become a beloved fixture, drawing both established artists and rising stars.
The next concert promises to be just as memorable, introducing two exceptional young prodigies: Tim Li, a Conservatorium student and multi-instrumentalist who has already founded his own orchestra, and Sean Weatherly, a violinist with an L.Mus.A. who is also pursuing mechatronics engineering while dazzling audiences with his performances.
For lovers of classical music, these concerts are proof that you don’t need to travel to the city for world-class performances, the Hills are alive with music right here at home.
Galston Concerts
📍 Galston Uniting Church, 11 School Road, Galston
🎟️ Tickets: $40 adults, $30 concessions (cash only at the door)
💻 Bookings: Trybooking.com
