User:Kiriel/Glenda Cloughley

Canberra resident and Jungian analyst Glenda Cloughley is one of the main composers in the renowned singing group "A Chorus of Women". Glenda co-wrote the song "Lament" (with Judith Clingan, which was sung in what was probably one of the World's first ever Flash Mobs, a protest at Parliament House Canberra in March 2003 . The incident made national television and radio news and has become an important part of the history of the Australian Parliament House.

The repercussions of the concert were multiple and Australia wide. The next time some of the women from this original group sang in Parliament House, they were forbidden to sing any songs 'relating to personal or political freedoms'. The Chorus complied with the ban and used purple scarves to gag words of songs (many by Cloughley) relating to ‘personal or political freedoms' This action received national media coverage. The Department head and Speaker of the House, Neil Andrew, said a mistake had been made and that such a restriction would not be made in future. This was a significant incident at a time when the issue of freedom speech (particularly in reference to Australia's participation in the War in Iraq) was raging in the country.

Glenda Cloughley also wrote a piece in 2006 during the war between Israel and the Hezbollah. Called "A recipe for peace", it was first performed during two ceremonies of 'Breaking Bread, Sharing Grief' in Canberra in August 2006. At the event A Chorus of Women joined Women in Black, together with musician friends to express grief through silent vigil and songs of lament, and then walked to the statue of Ethos in Civic Square, calling for peace and carrying flowers. At Civic Square (about They then broke bread together in a simple ceremony to acknowledge common humanity.

Since that time, Glenda has continued to compose, including setting to music "I am Ethos", words spoken in a dream by Canberra statue "Ethos" to her sculptor Tom Bass. Glenda specialises in songs and pieces with environmental and peaceful messages, for example her song "Love has a voice", and continues to sing with and write for "A Chorus of Women".

Glenda Cloughley’s largest work to date "The Gift of the Furies" is perhaps the first Australian artwork to recognise the mythic scale of the climate change crisis. First performed in Canberra, it has now been performed around Australia, received strong reviews and has been referenced in academic journals.