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Calendar
sarah penicka-smith

2025
From Skylark to Evensong. 71st Intervarsity Choral Festival, including Kalinnikov, Macens, Sheppard, Smede, Tchaikovsky, Tsupryk. Sydney Intervarsity Choral Festival Choir, Annie Macens (Voice), Eunbi Oh (Piano). 6.30pm 25 January, Pitt St Uniting Church, Sydney.
Beethoven Triple. Mozart ‘Don Giovanni Overture’, Penicka ‘Up in the Fluffy Clouds’, Mozart ‘Symphony No. 38 “Prague”’, Beethoven ‘Concerto in C Major for Pianoforte, Violin, Violoncello and Orchestra’. Estivo Trio & Willoughby Symphony Orchestra. 7pm 22 February & 2pm 23 February, The Concourse Concert Hall, Chatswood.
Vivaldi’s Gloria & Vieira’s Stabat Mater. Vivaldi ‘Gloria RV 589’ & Vieira ‘Stabat Mater. Sandra Partridge, Angelique Tot, Ben Caulkwell, River City Voices & Western Sydney Philharmonic. 8pm 23 May, St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta.
Lark Ascending. Rossini ‘Thieving Magpie Overture’, Finsterer ‘Lumen Prime Aurore’, Vivaldi ‘Flute Concerto In D, Rv428, ‘Il Gardellino’ (The Goldfinch)’,
Vaughan Williams ‘The Lark Ascending’, Winner Of The 2025 Young Composer Award, Lauridsen ‘Lux Aeterna’. Jane Rutter, Willoughby Symphony Choir & Willoughby Symphony Orchestra. 2pm 4 May, The Concourse Concert Hall, Chatswood.
Churchill Fellowship - travel to Europe & the USA mid-2025.
Human Waves. Kats-Chernin & Cislowska ‘Human Waves’. Elena Kats-Chernin & Tamara Anna Cislowska (pianos), Kevin Wang (piano) & River City Voices. 7.30pm 6 September, Bowman Hall, Blacktown.
Slam Messiah. Handel ‘Messiah’ + newly commissioned performance poetry. Kerry Nicholson, Wesley Yu, Michael Lampard, PYT Fairfield Poetry Slam & River City Voices. 3pm & 7.30pm 6 December, Bryan Brown Theatre, Bankstown.
2024
Mozart's Requiem. Alice Girle, Ellena Hicks, Elias Wilson, David Hidden, River City Voices & Western Sydney Philharmonic. 7.30pm 17 May, St Patrick's Cathedral, Parramatta.
Introduction to Socially Engaged Practice. Weekend workshop co-hosted by Vic McEwan & Sarah McEwan from The Cad Factory. 6-7 July, CASE Incubator Studio, Rosebery.
Cancel Choir. An exploration of cancel culture through classical music, including Beethoven, Gesualdo, Puccini, Rachmaninov, Tchaikovsky. River City Voices & Dr Philip Eames, Piano. 3.30pm & 7.30pm 17 August, Macarthur Girls High School, Parramatta.

Paradise: Dvorak's 'Stabat Mater'. Willoughby Symphony Choir & Willoughby Symphony Orchestra. 7pm 12 October, 2pm 13 October, The Concourse, Chatswood.
All Aboard With Beethoven. Kids' proms concert featuring Beethoven, Strauss and local composers. River City Voices & Western Sydney Youth Orchestra. 11.30am, 1.30pm & 4pm 23 November, PHive Discovery Space, Parramatta.
2023
Blue Sky Country Christmas: Ngarra-Burria First Peoples Composers Program with River City Voices. New works by First Peoples composers including Marlene Cummins, Gavi Duncan, Tim Gray, Chris Sainsbury, Nicole Smede & Elizabeth Sheppard. River City Voices with Su Choung (piano). 7.30pm 8 December, St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta.
Nocturnes & Lux Aeterna: Lauridsen ‘Lux Aeterna’ & ‘Nocturnes’, Alice Chance ‘Rivers of Light’ & ‘Fiat Lux’. River City Voices with Su Choung (piano) & Samuel Giddy (organ). 7.30pm Thursday 4 May, St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta.
Dedications: Tycho ‘Concerto for Violin & String Orchestra’ (Maria Lindsay, violin), Bartok ‘Romanian Dances’, Pavlova ‘Monolog’, Klearhos Murphy ‘Prayer For Makronissos’ (Young Composer Award 2023, world premiere), Dvořák ‘A Hero’s Song’. Willoughby Symphony Orchestra & Choir. 7pm 20 May, 2pm 21 May, The Concourse, Chatswood.
Pride Choir Workshop at The Big Sing, Festival of Voices: music of Grace Petrie, Quin Thomson & Andrew Schultz. 5pm 1 July, Salamanca Place, Hobart, Tasmania.
Light, Sound, Artwork at Festival of Voices: structured improvisation on James Turrell’s ‘Amarna’. 4.45pm 2 July, MONA, Hobart, Tasmania.
‘OCDiva’ Previews. 7pm 11 August, 4pm & 7pm 12 August, Arts & Cultural Exchange (ACE) Parramatta.
‘OCDiva’ Wagga Wagga tour. 27 August, CSU Playhouse, Wagga Wagga.
‘OCDiva’ Blue Mountains tour. 29 September, Lawson Mechanics Institute, Lawson. 30 September, Bates Hall, Blackheath.
Villains & Valkyries: Choruses & orchestral excerpts from Wagner, Puccini, Glanville-Hicks, Weber, and a new piano concerto (four hands) from Daniel Rojas (Daniel Rojas & Yerim Lee, pianos). Willoughby Symphony Orchestra & Choir with Pacific Opera. 7pm 14 October, 2pm 15 October, The Concourse, Chatswood.
Shoulder to Shoulder: collaborative project with The Cad Factory and the Pinnaroo Project, running workshops and making new work telling residents’ stories. 17 September, Railway Terrace, Pinnaroo.
‘OCDiva’ Northern Rivers tour. 18 November, SeeSpace, Lismore.
Old Is New, New Is Old: collaborative project with artists Sunita Bala, Harriet Body, Diane Busuttil, Parkside Cottage Museum, The Cad Factory, and Narrandera community. 25 November, Narrandera Parkside Cottage Museum & surrounds, Narrandera.
2022
Next Chapters II: Above Below. Legs On The Wall, Willoughby Symphony, Susannah Lawergren (Soprano). The Concourse.
Songs of Destiny. River City Voices, Willoughby Symphony Choir, Willoughby Symphony. The Concourse & Riverside Theatres Parramatta.
Festival Choir Conductor, Blackheath Choral Festival. Christine Anu, Gordon Hamilton, Michael Kennedy, Jerrah Patston & Sam Worrad, Elizabeth Sheppard, Dan Walker, Lisa Young, Blackheath.
What The World Needs Live! CD Launch. Club Weld & River City Voices. 4pm 11 Sept, The Granville Centre.
Indomitable Spirit: Gjeilo 'Sunrise Mass', Suk 'Meditations on an Old Czech Hymn', Tchaikovsky 'Serenade for Strings'. Macquarie Chamber Orchestra & Macquarie Singers. 5pm 12 November, Turramurra Uniting Church
Slam Messiah. WestWords & River City Voices. Friday 17 December, Riverside Theatre, Parramatta.
2021
Next Chapters: Alice Chance 'Holy Dreaming', Elena Kats-Chernin 'Five Chapters', Joseph Newton 'The Phoenix' (premiere), Shostakovich 'Symphony No. 9 in E Flat Major'. Legs on the Wall, Nexas Saxophone Quartet, Willoughby Symphony Orchestra & Choir. The Concourse, Sydney, NSW.
2019
Handel, ‘Messiah’. Yasmin Arkinstall, Ayse Goknur-Shanal, Hugo Pieri, Lifehouse Volunteer Orchestra & Choir. Sydney, NSW
Handel's 'Messiah' with Susannah Lawergren, Alexandra Mathew, Damien Noyce, Warwick Fyfe, River City Voices & Orchestra. 7.30pm 17 December 2019, St Patrick's Cathedral, Parramatta.
Starlit Christmas: Corelli ‘Christmas Concerto’, Koehne ‘To His Servant Bach God Grants A Final Glimpse’, Bach, Buxtehude. Macquarie Chamber Orchestra & Macquarie Singers. Sydney, NSW
'Sing Out Sydney 2019' for ABC Radio Sydney, City Recital Hall. Sarah was again the consultant & workshop conductor, conducting 600 voices in the massed choir with Christine Anu's beautiful 'Kulba Yaday', as well as River City Voices' debut at the event with Lisa Young's 'Other Plans'. Listen here (RCV at 37 minutes; Kulba Yaday at the end).
Dvorak ‘Requiem’. Rehearsal conductor, Sydney Philharmonia Choirs & Sydney Youth Orchestra. Sydney, NSW
'Cumberland Gets Anime-ted': premieres of new arrangements of Anime music by Shimamura & Hisaishi. River City Voices & Taikoz. 18 August 2019, Cherry Blossom Festival, Auburn Botanic Gardens.
Vivaldi, ‘Gloria’. Yasmin Arkinstall, Ayse Goknur-Shanal, Lifehouse Volunteer Orchestra & Choir. Sydney, NSW
Vivaldi ‘Gloria’, Albinoni/Giazotto ‘Adagio’, Respighi ‘Ancient Airs & Dances Suite No. 3’. Hester Wright, Alexandra Mathew, Macquarie Chamber Orchestra, Macquarie Singers & friends. Sydney, NSW
Macquarie Singers toured to NSW rural town of Young in May for 3 workshops & 1 concert with Hilltops Choir and Cowra Vocal Ensemble. Read the Booroowa News article.
‘Pomp & Piety’: Handel ‘Coronation Anthems’, Holst ‘St Paul’s Suite’, Elgar ‘Serenade for Strings’, Byrd, Tallis. Macquarie Chamber Orchestra & Macquarie Singers. Sydney, NSW
Orff, ‘Carmina Burana’: Ayse Goknur-Shanal, Warren Fisher & Simon Lobelson, Our Lady of Mercy College Senior Chorale, River City Voices & friends. Sydney, NSW
2018
Handel ‘Messiah’. Ashlee Woodgate, Barbara Jin, Brad Cooper & Tristan Entwistle with Penrith City Choir, Academy Singers, Warrimoo Chorale & Penrith Symphony Orchestra. The Joan, Sydney, NSW
Vivaldi ’Vedrò con mio diletto’ from ‘Il Giustino’, Puccini ‘Vogliatemi Bene’ from ‘Madama Butterfly’, Schmidt ’Intermezzo’ from ‘Notre Dame’. Ryan Belongie, Toni Marie Palmertree, Angel Vargas & The Dallas Opera Orchestra. Hart Institute for Women Conductor, Winspear Opera House, Dallas
Verdi ‘Messa di Requiem’ (abridged). NSW State Senior Music Camp, The Arts Unit. Sydney, NSW
Bernstein ‘Candide’. Rehearsal conductor, Sydney Philharmonia Choirs & Sydney Youth Orchestra. Sydney, NSW
2017
‘Classical Dreams’. Mendelssohn ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream Overture’, Schumann ‘Cello Concerto’, Mozart ‘Symphony No. 41 - Jupiter’. Waynne Kwon & Penrith Symphony Orchestra. The Joan, Sydney, NSW
Purcell, ‘Dido & Aeneas’ & ‘The Fairy Queen’. Macquarie Singers & Macquarie Singers Orchestra. Sydney, NSW
PictureABC Sydney Radio, 'Sing Out Sydney', City Recital Hall, Sydney 2019. Photo: Georgia Maloney
2016 & BEFORE
Wallace & Korie ‘Harvey Milk’. Tod Strike, Judd Arthur, Christopher, Cartner, Sydney Gay & Lesbian Choir, Left Bauer Productions. Sydney Town Hall.
‘Glorious Puccini’: Britten ‘Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra’, Mozart ‘Concerto in D Major for Flute & Orchestra’ & Puccini ‘Messa’. Brian Kim, Warren Fisher & Simon Lobelson; Macquarie Singers, Ku-Rin-Gai Philharmonic Orchestra. The Concourse, Sydney, NSW.
Menotti ‘The Medium’. Opera Prometheus. Experiment Farm Cottage, Sydney NSW.
‘PromFest 2015’: Cummins ‘Timor’ & Leon ‘Monsoon’ (premieres). Opera Prometheus, Sydney
Beethoven, ‘Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Minor’ & Mozart, ‘Violin Concerto No. 3 in G Major’. Sydney University Intercol Orchestra. Sydney, NSW
Britten, ‘Phaedra’ & Gorecki ‘Harpsichord Concerto’. Hester Hannah & Thoroughbass. Sydney Conservatorium of Music, NSW
Glass ‘Akhnaten’. Ondine Productions, Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Sydney
Campra ‘Tancrède’. Opera Prometheus, Sydney NSW
Krasa ‘Brundibar’. Opera Prometheus, in collaboration with Joseph Toltz and the Sydney Jewish Museum. Educational series, Sydney Jewish Museum.
Prokofiev ‘Peter and the Wolf’, Kenny ‘Oboe Concerto No. 1’, Vaughan Williams ‘Fantasia on Christmas Carols’, Strauss, Rutter. Willoughby Symphony Choir & Willoughby Symphony Orchestra. The Concourse, Sydney NSW
Peterson ‘Dreams & Visions’. Sydney Gay & Lesbian Choir, Sydney NSW
Rossini ‘Petite Messe Solennelle’. Willoughby Symphony Choir, Sydney NSW
Hindson ‘Heartland’. Sydney Gay & Lesbian Choir & Canberra Gay and Lesbian Qwire, Canberra ACT
Jenkins ‘The Peacemakers’. Macquarie University Singers & Orchestra. Macquarie University, Sydney NSW
Purcell ‘The Fairy Queen’. Sydney Gay & Lesbian Choir, Sydney NSW
Jenkins ‘The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace’. Celeste Haworth, Macquarie University Singers & Orchestra. Macquarie University, Sydney NSW
Tavener ‘Svyati’ & Lauridsen ‘Lux Aeterna’. Martin Penicka, Robert Goode, Sydney Gay & Lesbian Choir. Sydney, NSW
Beethoven ‘Egmont Overture’ & Edwards, ‘White Ghost Dancing’. Sydney University Symphony Orchestra. Sydney, NSW
Stravinsky ‘L’Histoire du Soldat’. University of Sydney, Sydney NSW
Prokofiev ‘Peter and the Wolf’, Tchaikovsky ‘Nutcracker’ & ‘Swan Lake’. Ecole Ballet Studios & Sydney Chamber Orchestra, Sydney NSW
61st Intervarsity Choral Festival, Queanbeyan ACT
Campra 'Tancrède'. Opera Prometheus. Sydney NSW

PREVIOUS POSITIONS
​Artistic Director & Principal Conductor, River City Voices, 2019-2025

Principal Conductor, Macquarie Singers, 2013-2022 & Macquarie Chamber Orchestra, 2019-2022
Head of Creative Arts, St Andrew’s College, University of Sydney, 2011-2022
Artistic Director, Opera Prometheus; Sydney, NSW, 2014-2019
Participant Conductor, Hart Institute for Women Conductors, The Dallas Opera; Dallas, Texas, 2018
Music Director, Sydney Gay & Lesbian Choir; Sydney, NSW, 2005-2017
Chorusmaster, Willoughby Symphony Choir; Sydney, NSW, 2010-2012
Assistant Chorusmaster, Sydney Philharmonia Choirs; Sydney, NSW, 2008-2009
Header photo: River City Voices performs on the Concert Hall platform of Sydney Opera House's, for the building's 'Open House' weekend 50th anniversary celebrations. Image: Katje Ford.
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  • Home
  • Churchill Fellowship Travels 2025
  • About Us
    • Melanie Penicka-Smith >
      • Gallery
  • Sarah Penicka-Smith
    • Calendar - Sarah Penicka-Smith
    • Biography - Sarah Penicka-Smith
    • Media - Sarah Penicka-Smith
  • OCDiva
  • Pacific Pride Choir
  • Photo Gallery
    • Brundibar
    • Cambodia
    • Menotti
    • Vietnam
  • Projects
    • Brundibar
    • Craig Hella Johnson Festival
    • Menotti
  • Contact