According to Steve Barnes, Fairbridge Festival musical director and editor of WA Acoustic News, the third Festival of Voice was ...a superb, uplifting event. Top acts, a great vibe and the best last night party since Fairbridge 2002!

Coco's Lunch workshop

The weekend saw 1200 people involved in concerts, workshops, festival club and general enjoyment in the best festival yet. The weekend offered everything vocal: from Bach to Big Bands, Barbershop to Beat Box. To say nothing of yarn-spinning, storytelling, stand-up comedy and theatre as well. Each day saw great concerts follow excellent workshops, and the only problem was making the choice between what was on offer.

Coco's Lunch

The third festival finished on a high on Sunday night with a fantastic pair of concerts. The "Spooky Men of the West" mesmerized the packed house in the Anglican Hall with their special blend of humour, seriousness and plain spookiness. At the same time, a great concert in the Civic Centre finished with "Coco's Lunch", one of Australia's premier a cappella groups with another beautiful and resonant set of songs. The Big Sing - wonderfully led by Stephen Taberner - then brought the entire audience from both venues together in a stirring finale. The festival has developed a reputation for providing a brilliant mix of concerts and workshops, and for blurring the boundaries between audience and performer.

Closing concert on Sunday night

The organising committee (Graham Mason, Jeanette Grant, Susan Clarke, Suzie Strong, Trevor Corbett, Bronnie Wallace and Simon Neville) were very pleased with how the weekend went and the feedback from festival-goers. Simon Neville said: This year saw the festival consolidate itself and really set a winning formula. We are already looking forward to 2006 and making it just as rewarding for all involved. And it's not just the participants who benefit: the committee has estimated the financial boost to Denmark (from accommodation, food, etc.) from the festival of between $100,000 and $200,000 - important at the beginning of winter.

The Denmark Festival of Voice is proudly sponsored by Healthway to promote the SmokeFree WA message and a smoke free environment. Other sponsors were Lotterywest, Country Arts WA, The Denmark Bulletin, Denmark Arts, The Water Corporation, The Denmark Visitor Centre and Wendy's Lions Den. The organising committee gratefully acknowledges all of them, and all the volunteers who contributed to the smooth running of the weekend.