Warragul, VIC – This December 6th at 7:30 PM, the McCaffery Family invites the community to join them for their most ambitious project yet, “It’s The Heart That Matters Most,” a concert at Wesley of Warragul. Directed and produced by Malcolm McCaffery, a passionate advocate for community arts, this event promises a heartfelt celebration of music, love, and togetherness.
The concert will showcase a rich array of musical talent, including the newly formed Renaissance Revival Orchestra, the West Gippsland Community Choir, and the West Gippsland Youth Choir. Audiences will be enchanted by the sound of Wesley’s century-old Seattle-built pipe organ, and, for an authentic historical touch, a harpsichord will accompany select pieces. The program also features instrumental gems like Vivaldi’s Recorder Concerto in C Major — a piece sure to elevate the humble recorder from a childhood toy to a truly beautiful instrument.
Malcolm drew inspiration for this unique concert from his 2023 visit to London’s King’s College Carols Service and John Rutter’s Christmas Special at the Royal Albert Hall, where post-concert discussions with the King’s College Choirmaster over mulled wine sparked ideas for the program.
“Everyone needs love,
You need it too,
So here’s what you have got to do…
Spread a little hope…”
These lyrics from the concert's title track encapsulate the evening’s message: love and kindness as the true spirit of the holiday season. Alongside traditional carols, a medieval carol, and classical pieces, the program will include a rural Victorian retelling of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, infused with uniquely Australian charm.
"When we first moved to this region, we noticed that the public schools our kids attended had no performing arts programs — no music, no choir, no theatre," Malcolm explains. "Not being able to afford private schools with an arts program, we set out to create community opportunities for everyone." Last year, the McCafferys’ helped launch a local youth orchestra in collaboration with the Gippsland Symphony Orchestra. For this concert, they’ve started a youth choir, an adult choir, and the Renaissance Revival Orchestra, drawing singers and musicians from across Gippsland and even Melbourne.
“It’s The Heart That Matters Most” challenges the commercialization of Christmas by focusing on love, compassion, and community. "We’re all tired of the endless complaints about ‘first-world problems’ on social media," Malcolm remarks. "This concert is a reminder of what truly matters."
Looking to 2025, the McCaffery family has big plans, including the Ancient Music Revival Project, where local enthusiasts will recreate instruments from Ancient Egypt, Sumeria, Greece, and Rome. Other future events include a concert version of Pirates of Penzance, live performance opportunities for singers, and even a Baroque Ball to teach 17th-century dances.
Organizing these projects hasn’t been easy — from self-funding to managing last-minute schedule changes of over 50 participants in the concert program. Yet the McCafferys’ remain committed to their vision. They’re hopeful that ticket sales for “It’s The Heart That Matters Most” will help sustain these efforts and support an even more vibrant 2026 program. A special thanks goes to Fiddlesticks Performing Arts for generously donating rehearsal space, making this concert possible.
Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind holiday celebration on Friday, December 6th, at 7:30 PM at Wesley of Warragul! Join us in spreading hope, kindness, and the true spirit of the season.
Tickets are available now at: https://www.trybooking.com/CVRND
Key Facts:
Key Facts
- Event: It’s The Heart That Matters Most - A Christmas Concert
- Date: Friday, December 6th, 2024
- Time: 7:30 PM
- Location: Wesley of Warragul, Warragul, VIC
- Presented By: McCaffery Family, Directed by Malcolm McCaffery
- Featured Ensembles:
- Renaissance Revival Orchestra
- West Gippsland Community Choir
- West Gippsland Youth Choir
- Special Features:
- Historic pipe organ from Seattle (over 100 years old)
- Harpsichord accompaniment for selected pieces
- Program Highlights:
- Vivaldi’s Recorder Concerto in C Major
- Traditional carols, a medieval carol, and classical pieces
- Australian-inspired retelling of A Christmas Carol
- Inspiration:
- London’s King’s College Carols Service and John Rutter’s Christmas Special at the Royal Albert Hall, 2023
- Tickets: Available at TryBooking
About us:
Follow us at: @mccafferyfamily on Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.
Contact details:
Malcolm McCaffery malcolm.mccaffery@gmail.com 0432 2006 03 or on Facebook / Instagram @mccafferyfamily.
