Tough economic times and an ageing membership have forced one of Perth's best-loved choirs to wind up after more than 30 years.
"We just can't do it any more," said 65-year-old Reg Atkins of the Perth Oratorio Choir, which was founded in 1976 and will give its farewell concert in December.
Like many other local amateur and community-based music bodies, POC has been finding it increasingly difficult to meet the costs involved in hiring venues and engaging professional soloists, orchestras and conductors.
"The costs have skyrocketed over the last few years and you're looking at around $20,000 to put on a performance," Mr Atkins, a 25-year member, said.
With little or no sponsorship, amateur choirs rely on members' fees and ticket sales. Difficulties in attracting new members and smaller audiences have seen some performances result in a loss.
"We lost about $7000 from our last concert," Mr Atkins said.
He said charities would be disadvantaged if choirs such as POC no longer performed free.
"We do a charity concert each year for the Kidney Foundation," Mr Atkins said. "They're understandably upset because we're disbanding."
Over the years, POC has presented a range of works for choir and orchestra, from Handel's Messiah to specially commissioned pieces such as Andrew Partington's Canticle of the Word.
WILLIAM YEOMAN
