Vale Glenda Cloughley

With heavy hearts we are sharing the news of Glenda Cloughley’s death.

Glenda died peacefully at home on 21 September, with her family by her side. She had been journeying with a quite aggressive cancer since late last year.

Glenda died just a few hours after other Chorus members had been singing at the Canberra Peace Bell as we do each year on the International Day of Peace. Also, it was 6 months to the day after we sang in Parliament House in March for the 20^th anniversary of the birth of Chorus.

Glenda initiated the singing of a Lament for the people of Iraq which led to the formation of A Chorus of Women in March 2003. Since then she has written much of our music including two major works – The Gifts of the Furies and A Passion for Peace/The People’s Passion.

As a Jungian analyst, cultural psychologist and singer-composer, Glenda has brought a unique creative and prophetic spirit to the peace, justice and environmental movements in Canberra and beyond. Her passing leaves a deep sense of loss. If you would like to leave a message of condolence and/or a memory of Glenda, you can do so via the form here: Vale Glenda Cloughley
We will collate your messages for her family and for publication on this website in due course.

'Remembering Glenda'
There will be an event celebrating Glenda’s life at the Chapel of the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture in Barton on Wednesday 13 December at 2pm. 

Hosted by A Chorus of Women with her family and Jungian friends, the event will weave together stories and music from Glenda’s life.
Light refreshments will be served after the event and we expect to conclude around 4 pm.

Please join us inperson at the ACC&C or online. The livestream link will be posted here before the event..

It would be great if you could let us know  if you are coming in person or online via the condolence link: Vale Glenda Cloughley. 

Turning Lament to Renewal - 
A Chorus of Women 20 Years On

12.30 - 1pm, Tuesday 21 March 2023

'We give our voice to the Song of Life
We give our promise to children and Earth
We sing for peace through the power of love
So lament will turn to renewal'
(words by Glenda Cloughley)

A Chorus of Women have been singing ever since a 'flash mob' of 150 Canberra women gathered unnoticed and unapproved in the foyer of Parliament House on 18 March 2003. As Australia joined the invasion of Iraq the women became a national and international media event by singing their Lament. 

20 years on we returned, with  a People's Chorus of about 100, this time with support and lively interest from our politicians and permission from the Presiding Officers. We sang our Lament again, with new words by Glenda Cloughley and new music by Judy Clingan, calling on all people, including men for a commitment to our children's future. And everyone, including the men responded beautifully (see the words above).

Read more on our News page. Read the article in RiotACT 'How A Chorus of Women sang on the right side of history'.