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History, Choir & Performing Arts
When Tutti sings, lives are changed.
Founded by South Australian playwright/composer Pat Rix, Tutti began as a small singing group for intellectually disabled people at Minda Inc in 1997. As people from the wider community joined, the group quickly grew to become a choir of 40 members, drawing on both music and theatre for inspiration.
In 2000 the choir’s work in progress performance of My Life, My Love, an opera developed with Pat Rix, surprised and delighted the Adelaide arts community.
Soon choir member numbers began to grow as did requests for performances and the group began to commit themselves to a rigorous rehearsal schedule. Disabled and non-disabled singers performed side by side, friendships were born and acceptance and celebration of differences became their bond.
In 2001, the choir incorporated to become the Tutti Ensemble, shortly before opening the KickstART Celebration of Arts and Disability in Vancouver. From that time on, Tutti’s vision became to challenge and improve society’s view of people with a disability.
In 2002 thanks to the vision of State Theatre’s then Artistic Director Rosalba Clemente and Adelaide Festival Director Peter Sellars, Tutti became the first Australian community arts organisation to partner a flagship company in an international mainstream arts festival. With a cast of over one hundred, most of whom identified with a disability, including three of the principals, My Life, My Love was a sell-out hit.
Over 7,000 people enjoyed eight performances with audiences responding that their perception of disability had been changed. They wanted to see and hear more from ‘that choir’. My Life, My Love won the critics ‘Light of the Festival’ Award and was nominated for a Helpmann Award.
Today, Tutti regularly reaches over 200 South Australians in Adelaide and regional South Australia. Our outreach program mentors three regional choirs and offers opportunities to participate in combined music-theatre productions and choral events. We also have sister choirs in Vancouver and Minneapolis.
Whilst Tutti has now expanded to offer drama and music, visual arts, digital design and music programs, singing remains Tutti’s main inspiration. It is through singing that we support what is good and right about the world and shake our fist at what is wrong.
Music–theatre, Opera, Choral concerts, events and collaborations since 2001
June 23rd 2012 – The Tutti Choir and soloists performed excerpts from Richard Chew’s oratorio Rites of Passage. With text compiled from Shakespeare’s The Tempest, and the poetry of Walt Whitman, Derek Walcott and T.S Eliot, accompanied by Working Dog Union, playing Uilleann pipes, keyboards and drums.
September 18 to October 1 2011 – Tutti in partnership with State Opera of South Australia (Operatu) presented ‘The Magic Flute’ aka Circus of the Sevenfold Seal of the Sun, in collaboration with Cirkidz and Various People Inc. The production was directed by Cheryl Pickering, with musical direction by Richard Chew.
March 10th – 2010. The Idea of North and Tutti combined concert at Our lady of the Sacred Heart Community Centre, Henley Beach.
March 8 & 9 2011 – Tutti choral workshops with The Idea of North.
March 1st 2011 – the launch of Tutti’s Real2Real disability led film-making project in collaboration with Oska Bright Film festival ( UK) and Adelaide International Film Festival at the Mercury Cinema. Oska Bright guests begin leading workshop in Adelaide and regional SA from March 7 until April 8th.
Dec 16th 2010 – A very Tutti Christmas Concert with guest choir The Harmony of hearts and Minds Choir, Elizabeth. At Our Lady of the Sacred heart Community Centre, Henley Beach.
November 2010 – A Day with Tutti and Friends in Rundle Mall for National Social Inclusion Week. Tutti with three other inclusive choirs we have mentored, plus Visual Arts and Tutti Kids displays.
October 2010 – Tutti performs on the main stage and gives public workshops at the 2010 Fleurieau Folk Festival.
Sept 19 2010 – Happy Together – a joint concert with Dr Jonathon Welch and the Choir of Hard Knocks ( now Choir of Hope and Inspiration) at the Adelaide Town Hall. MC Maggie Beer.
July 31 – August 7 2010 – Ten Ways to Love, an original music-theatre work devised by members of Tutti Performing Arts with Juha Vanhakartano and Pat Rix. Directed by Juha Vankartano, Music Director – Philip Griffin. State Opera Studio, Netley.
July 2010 – Tutti’s Broadway Spectacular takes off at Elder Hall in collaboration with the Unley Concert Band, led by Dr Kevin Cameron. Orchestration and script by Bill Broughton, Musical Direction by Kevin Cameron. MC Peter Goers.
April 2010 – Tutti sings the theme song So My Time to Shine at the DOME for the Special Olympics 2010 Opening Ceremony.
March 2010 – Tutti performs by special invitation at the Mildura Arts Festival
March 2010 – WOMADelaide. Tutti performs at Australia’s biggest world music festival and Jane Siberry joins Tutti on Stage 2 for the last three songs.
Dec 17th 2009 – The launch of Tutti’s new ‘A Very Tutti Christmas’ CD at the 2010 Annual Tutti Christmas Concert with special guests The Gathering Wave Choir from Mount Barker. Venue: Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Community Centre, Henley Beach.
Nov 28th 2009 – Rhythm Sticks at the Wheatsheaf Hotel. An afternoon of drumming and percussion with Tutti’s drumming students. MC Rob Eyers.
Nov 21st 2009 – A Day with Tutti in Rundle Mall – an extravaganza of singing, music and drama performances for National Social Inclusion Week. The day also included work display by Tutti’s Visual Artists and a percussion extravaganza from Tutti Kids.
October /Nov 2009 – American premiere of Tutti’s award winning music-theatre work Northern Lights, Southern Cross in collaboration with Interact Centre at the Guthrie Theatre, Minneapolis. Music by Pat Rix, Script by Kevin Kling, Directed by Jeanne Calvit.
August 2009 – The Tutti Choir Goes Gospel Concert – Christ Church, North Adelaide, featuring Tutti Choir and soloists with Soul Sisters, Lil Fi and Kelly Auty
May-June 2009 – The Psychology of Loneliness – a work in progress performance by Tutti Arts at the Adelaide Convention Centre and Restless Big Space. Script by Finegan Kruckemeyer, music by Philip Griffin, director Daisy Brown.
April 2009 – Hot Gospel Concert – with legendary Melbourne Soul Sisters Lil Fi and Kelly Auty at St Peters Cathedral
March 2009 – The acclaimed Australian Premiere of The Shouting Fence ( in collaboration with State Opera of South Australia) Written by Orlando Gough and Richard Chew. Directed by Cheryl Pickering.
December 2009 – The Annual Tutti Christmas Concert, St John’s Anglican Church, Glandore
July 2008- – the Tutti Choir and Tutti Kids open Mission Ignition, SA’s World Youth Day Concert at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre to a crowd of 5,000 plus
May 2008 – Curfew – Tutti Choir and Tutti Arts in collaboration with Urban Myth Youth theatre for the 2008 ASSITEJ Conference. Script by Caroline Reid, music by Pete Dutton. Directed by Glenn Hayden. MD Pete Dutton. Choir master Jonathan Bligh.
March 2008 – Blind Date – for Adelaide International Fringe Festival and HighBeam. Developed by Pat Rix and Catherine Campbell with non-sighted Tutti performers in the Second Sight Collective. Directed by Catherine Campbell. MD Pat Rix
December 2007 – Tutti Choir and soloists featured in Channel 7’s Carols by Candlelight at Elder Park
November 2007 – remount of Between the Worlds at Mixed Blood theatre, Minneapolis, Minnesota as a coproduction with Interact Center for the performing and Visual Arts. Directed by Jeanne Calvit. Composer and co-writer, Pat Rix
August 2007 – Tutti’s 10th Anniversary Celebration Concert at the Adelaide Town Hall and broadcast live by ABC 891. Compered by Peter Goers and MD’d by Philip Griffin and Pat Rix. Performers included the Tutti Choir and soloists, Big Country Choir, Jennifer Kneale, Brian Gilbertson, Tin Can Alley, the Beggars, Heather Frahn, Chris Finnen, Catherine Campbell, Richard Chew and Cheryl Pickering.
March 2007 – the world premiere of Northern Lights, Southern Cross for the Bundaleer Forest Weekend Music Festival and Adelaide International Fringe Festival. With script by Kevin Kling and music by Pat Rix, performers included Tutti and the Big Country Choir and guest indigenous Australian and Native American dancers. Directed by Jeanne Calvit. MD Philip Griffin.
June 2006 – Mouth Music. Script by Jeremy Hartgen and Pat Rix. Music by Alies Sluiter with UK beat box sensation Jason Singh. Performed by the Tutti Choir and Tutti Arts at Higher Ground. Directed by Catherine Campbell
October 2005 – The Australian premiere of Between the Worlds –a new music-theatre work by Pat Rix and Jeanne Calvit with members of Tutti Arts for the Awakenings Festival, Victoria.
Directed by Jeanne Calvit. MD Zoe Barry.
March 2005 – The Shepherd and the Green Girl Opening Ceremony for Bundaleer Forest Weekend Music Festival – developed by Pat Rix with Tutti and the Big Country Choir. MD Pat Rix
December 2004 – Fields of Gold – a music-theatre work developed by Pat Rix and Susie Skinner with children from SA School for the Vision Impaired, Kilparrin Special Unit and Ascot Park Primary School to celebrate the amalgamation of the three schools onto one campus at Ascot Park.Performed at the State Opera Studio. Directed by Susie Skinner. MD Pat Rix
September 2004 – Up and Away – Song cycle for KickstART 2 Festival, Vancouver, developed by Pat Rix with Tutti and the KickstARt 2 Choir.
May 2004 – Circles – original music-theatre developed with Tutti by Pat Rix and Jeanne Calvit. Directed by Jeanne Calvit. Circles won the Advertiser Best New Music Theatre Award for 2004.
May 2004 – Evolve Song Cycle. A new choral work developed by Pat Rix with Tutti and the Big Country Choir for the 2004 High Beam Festival. MD Pat Rix
October 2003 – Melrose Under the Big Top – performed by members of the Melrose Community with the Tutti Choir to celebrate the 150th Birthday of the first town in the Flinders Ranges. Script developed by Pat Rix with the community, Steve Mayhew and Fergus Gool, music by Pat Rix.) Directed by Steve Mayhew. MD Pat Rix
April 2003 – The Singing of Angels developed by Pat Rix and Brian Gilbertson for Come Out 2003 with children from Surrey Downs Primary and Modbury Special School. Text by Pat Rix with music by Zoe Barry, Heather Frahn and Alies Sluiter. Directed by Andy Packer. MD Pat Rix.
March 2003 – Towards Unlit Skies (music by Natalie Williams, libretto by Pat Rix) performed with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and Yvonne Kenny and Elizabeth Campbell and David for the Bundaleer Forest Weekend Music Festival. Conducted by Nicholas Milton.
May 2002 – Tutti and Friends Concert with David Helfgott at the Adelaide Town Hall for the 2002 High Beam Festival.
March 2002 – My Life My Love by Pat Rix in collaboration with SA State Theatre Company for the Adelaide Festival. Directed by Rosalba Clemente. MD Ryszard Pusz. Choir Master Philip Griffin. MLML Won the Critics Light of the Festival Award and was nominated for ‘ best production’ in the national Helpmann Awards.
September 2001 – KickstART the Dream –an original choral song-cycle for Tutti and the Swamp Angels for the inaugural KickstART festival Vancouver Canada ( music by Pat Rix) Directed by Geoff McMurchie. MD Pat Rix.
January 2001 – Opening Chorale for Festival of the Coast, developed by Pat Rix with the Tutti Choir and community singers.
History, Choir & Performing Arts
When Tutti sings, lives are changed.
Founded by South Australian playwright/composer Pat Rix, Tutti began as a small singing group for intellectually disabled people at Minda Inc in 1997. As people from the wider community joined, the group quickly grew to become a choir of 40 members, drawing on both music and theatre for inspiration.
In 2000 the choir’s work in progress performance of My Life, My Love, an opera developed with Pat Rix, surprised and delighted the Adelaide arts community.
Soon choir member numbers began to grow as did requests for performances and the group began to commit themselves to a rigorous rehearsal schedule. Disabled and non-disabled singers performed side by side, friendships were born and acceptance and celebration of differences became their bond.
In 2001, the choir incorporated to become the Tutti Ensemble, shortly before opening the KickstART Celebration of Arts and Disability in Vancouver. From that time on, Tutti’s vision became to challenge and improve society’s view of people with a disability.
In 2002 thanks to the vision of State Theatre’s then Artistic Director Rosalba Clemente and Adelaide Festival Director Peter Sellars, Tutti became the first Australian community arts organisation to partner a flagship company in an international mainstream arts festival. With a cast of over one hundred, most of whom identified with a disability, including three of the principals, My Life, My Love was a sell-out hit.
Over 7,000 people enjoyed eight performances with audiences responding that their perception of disability had been changed. They wanted to see and hear more from ‘that choir’. My Life, My Love won the critics ‘Light of the Festival’ Award and was nominated for a Helpmann Award.
Today, Tutti regularly reaches over 200 South Australians in Adelaide and regional South Australia. Our outreach program mentors three regional choirs and offers opportunities to participate in combined music-theatre productions and choral events. We also have sister choirs in Vancouver and Minneapolis.
Whilst Tutti has now expanded to offer drama and music, visual arts, digital design and music programs, singing remains Tutti’s main inspiration. It is through singing that we support what is good and right about the world and shake our fist at what is wrong.
Music–theatre, Opera, Choral concerts, events and collaborations since 2001
June 23rd 2012 – The Tutti Choir and soloists performed excerpts from Richard Chew’s oratorio Rites of Passage. With text compiled from Shakespeare’s The Tempest, and the poetry of Walt Whitman, Derek Walcott and T.S Eliot, accompanied by Working Dog Union, playing Uilleann pipes, keyboards and drums.
March 8 & 9 2011 – Tutti choral workshops with The Idea of North.
March 1st 2011 – the launch of Tutti’s Real2Real disability led film-making project in collaboration with Oska Bright Film festival ( UK) and Adelaide International Film Festival at the Mercury Cinema. Oska Bright guests begin leading workshop in Adelaide and regional SA from March 7 until April 8th.
Dec 16th 2010 – A very Tutti Christmas Concert with guest choir The Harmony of hearts and Minds Choir, Elizabeth. At Our Lady of the Sacred heart Community Centre, Henley Beach.
November 2010 – A Day with Tutti and Friends in Rundle Mall for National Social Inclusion Week. Tutti with three other inclusive choirs we have mentored, plus Visual Arts and Tutti Kids displays.
October 2010 – Tutti performs on the main stage and gives public workshops at the 2010 Fleurieau Folk Festival.
Sept 19 2010 – Happy Together – a joint concert with Dr Jonathon Welch and the Choir of Hard Knocks ( now Choir of Hope and Inspiration) at the Adelaide Town Hall. MC Maggie Beer.
July 31 – August 7 2010 – Ten Ways to Love, an original music-theatre work devised by members of Tutti Performing Arts with Juha Vanhakartano and Pat Rix. Directed by Juha Vankartano, Music Director – Philip Griffin. State Opera Studio, Netley.
July 2010 – Tutti’s Broadway Spectacular takes off at Elder Hall in collaboration with the Unley Concert Band, led by Dr Kevin Cameron. Orchestration and script by Bill Broughton, Musical Direction by Kevin Cameron. MC Peter Goers.
April 2010 – Tutti sings the theme song So My Time to Shine at the DOME for the Special Olympics 2010 Opening Ceremony.
March 2010 – Tutti performs by special invitation at the Mildura Arts Festival
March 2010 – WOMADelaide. Tutti performs at Australia’s biggest world music festival and Jane Siberry joins Tutti on Stage 2 for the last three songs.
Dec 17th 2009 – The launch of Tutti’s new ‘A Very Tutti Christmas’ CD at the 2010 Annual Tutti Christmas Concert with special guests The Gathering Wave Choir from Mount Barker. Venue: Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Community Centre, Henley Beach.
Nov 28th 2009 – Rhythm Sticks at the Wheatsheaf Hotel. An afternoon of drumming and percussion with Tutti’s drumming students. MC Rob Eyers.
Nov 21st 2009 – A Day with Tutti in Rundle Mall – an extravaganza of singing, music and drama performances for National Social Inclusion Week. The day also included work display by Tutti’s Visual Artists and a percussion extravaganza from Tutti Kids.
October /Nov 2009 – American premiere of Tutti’s award winning music-theatre work Northern Lights, Southern Cross in collaboration with Interact Centre at the Guthrie Theatre, Minneapolis. Music by Pat Rix, Script by Kevin Kling, Directed by Jeanne Calvit.
August 2009 – The Tutti Choir Goes Gospel Concert – Christ Church, North Adelaide, featuring Tutti Choir and soloists with Soul Sisters, Lil Fi and Kelly Auty
May-June 2009 – The Psychology of Loneliness – a work in progress performance by Tutti Arts at the Adelaide Convention Centre and Restless Big Space. Script by Finegan Kruckemeyer, music by Philip Griffin, director Daisy Brown.
April 2009 – Hot Gospel Concert – with legendary Melbourne Soul Sisters Lil Fi and Kelly Auty at St Peters Cathedral
March 2009 – The acclaimed Australian Premiere of The Shouting Fence ( in collaboration with State Opera of South Australia) Written by Orlando Gough and Richard Chew. Directed by Cheryl Pickering.
December 2009 – The Annual Tutti Christmas Concert, St John’s Anglican Church, Glandore
July 2008- – the Tutti Choir and Tutti Kids open Mission Ignition, SA’s World Youth Day Concert at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre to a crowd of 5,000 plus
May 2008 – Curfew – Tutti Choir and Tutti Arts in collaboration with Urban Myth Youth theatre for the 2008 ASSITEJ Conference. Script by Caroline Reid, music by Pete Dutton. Directed by Glenn Hayden. MD Pete Dutton. Choir master Jonathan Bligh.
March 2008 – Blind Date – for Adelaide International Fringe Festival and HighBeam. Developed by Pat Rix and Catherine Campbell with non-sighted Tutti performers in the Second Sight Collective. Directed by Catherine Campbell. MD Pat Rix
December 2007 – Tutti Choir and soloists featured in Channel 7’s Carols by Candlelight at Elder Park
November 2007 – remount of Between the Worlds at Mixed Blood theatre, Minneapolis, Minnesota as a coproduction with Interact Center for the performing and Visual Arts. Directed by Jeanne Calvit. Composer and co-writer, Pat Rix
August 2007 – Tutti’s 10th Anniversary Celebration Concert at the Adelaide Town Hall and broadcast live by ABC 891. Compered by Peter Goers and MD’d by Philip Griffin and Pat Rix. Performers included the Tutti Choir and soloists, Big Country Choir, Jennifer Kneale, Brian Gilbertson, Tin Can Alley, the Beggars, Heather Frahn, Chris Finnen, Catherine Campbell, Richard Chew and Cheryl Pickering.
March 2007 – the world premiere of Northern Lights, Southern Cross for the Bundaleer Forest Weekend Music Festival and Adelaide International Fringe Festival. With script by Kevin Kling and music by Pat Rix, performers included Tutti and the Big Country Choir and guest indigenous Australian and Native American dancers. Directed by Jeanne Calvit. MD Philip Griffin.
June 2006 – Mouth Music. Script by Jeremy Hartgen and Pat Rix. Music by Alies Sluiter with UK beat box sensation Jason Singh. Performed by the Tutti Choir and Tutti Arts at Higher Ground. Directed by Catherine Campbell
October 2005 – The Australian premiere of Between the Worlds –a new music-theatre work by Pat Rix and Jeanne Calvit with members of Tutti Arts for the Awakenings Festival, Victoria.
Directed by Jeanne Calvit. MD Zoe Barry.
March 2005 – The Shepherd and the Green Girl Opening Ceremony for Bundaleer Forest Weekend Music Festival – developed by Pat Rix with Tutti and the Big Country Choir. MD Pat Rix
December 2004 – Fields of Gold – a music-theatre work developed by Pat Rix and Susie Skinner with children from SA School for the Vision Impaired, Kilparrin Special Unit and Ascot Park Primary School to celebrate the amalgamation of the three schools onto one campus at Ascot Park.Performed at the State Opera Studio. Directed by Susie Skinner. MD Pat Rix
September 2004 – Up and Away – Song cycle for KickstART 2 Festival, Vancouver, developed by Pat Rix with Tutti and the KickstARt 2 Choir.
May 2004 – Circles – original music-theatre developed with Tutti by Pat Rix and Jeanne Calvit. Directed by Jeanne Calvit. Circles won the Advertiser Best New Music Theatre Award for 2004.
May 2004 – Evolve Song Cycle. A new choral work developed by Pat Rix with Tutti and the Big Country Choir for the 2004 High Beam Festival. MD Pat Rix
October 2003 – Melrose Under the Big Top – performed by members of the Melrose Community with the Tutti Choir to celebrate the 150th Birthday of the first town in the Flinders Ranges. Script developed by Pat Rix with the community, Steve Mayhew and Fergus Gool, music by Pat Rix.) Directed by Steve Mayhew. MD Pat Rix
April 2003 – The Singing of Angels developed by Pat Rix and Brian Gilbertson for Come Out 2003 with children from Surrey Downs Primary and Modbury Special School. Text by Pat Rix with music by Zoe Barry, Heather Frahn and Alies Sluiter. Directed by Andy Packer. MD Pat Rix.
March 2003 – Towards Unlit Skies (music by Natalie Williams, libretto by Pat Rix) performed with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and Yvonne Kenny and Elizabeth Campbell and David for the Bundaleer Forest Weekend Music Festival. Conducted by Nicholas Milton.
May 2002 – Tutti and Friends Concert with David Helfgott at the Adelaide Town Hall for the 2002 High Beam Festival.
March 2002 – My Life My Love by Pat Rix in collaboration with SA State Theatre Company for the Adelaide Festival. Directed by Rosalba Clemente. MD Ryszard Pusz. Choir Master Philip Griffin. MLML Won the Critics Light of the Festival Award and was nominated for ‘ best production’ in the national Helpmann Awards.
September 2001 – KickstART the Dream –an original choral song-cycle for Tutti and the Swamp Angels for the inaugural KickstART festival Vancouver Canada ( music by Pat Rix) Directed by Geoff McMurchie. MD Pat Rix.
January 2001 – Opening Chorale for Festival of the Coast, developed by Pat Rix with the Tutti Choir and community singers.