Obiter has enjoyed the Law Society’s bicentenary celebrations, not least for the unexpected catch-ups with old friends. One such is Jonathan Smithers, the Society’s 2015/16 president. It was a particular treat, as Smithers’ natural reaction to completing his term of office was to move 10,553 miles to Australia, where he has remained.
Obiter recalled that Jonathan was one of our more musical presidents – singing with the Tunbridge Wells-based Oriana Singers, a fairly high-level outfit whose USP is deputising for cathedral choirs, which took Jonathan to around 40 cathedral gigs in the 32 years he sang with them.
Was Jonathan still singing? Obiter asked. He certainly is. ‘Post-pandemic in 2022, I joined the Sydney Symphony Chorus, a resident choir of the Sydney Opera House,’ he said (Jonathan is pictured bottom left). Like most choirs, the singers are not professional, which leaves the door open to lawyers. Admission is not a given, though. ‘I had to audition with the principal conductor, which was somewhat daunting as it was my first sight reading test since violin grade 7 in 1979!’ he related.
Recent performances range from Duruflé’s Requiem to Rodgers and Hammerstein musical numbers. And Handel’s Messiah, of course. ‘It is an enormous privilege to be able to perform in one of the world’s great concert venues with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra,’ he says.
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