Starting out in the Junior Choirs and developing poise and confidence
Junior Choirs:
The ACC has two junior level choirs, (previously named “Melody” and “Harmony” choirs), and these two training choirs meet once a week on Saturday afternoons from 12noon to 1.30pm, and generally involve girls and boys aged 6 – 10. Whilst the groups rehearse and develop independently with their own tutor and accompanist, they do at times combine with other training ensembles or each other to give the children a “massed” choral experience, and also allow the children to make friends and develop socially with other children outside their own choir group.
Through a mixed curriculum which incorporates elements of Kodály music education, basic vocal pedagogy, an introduction to music theory, and musical games, the children learn basic techniques such as good posture and breathing, sight-reading and fundamental performance skills. They sing unison, and two – part repertoire in various languages, and work on developing a good tone and accurate intonation.
Whilst these groups present 2 to 4 public performances yearly, the emphasis is on fun and the children developing good skills which will prepare them for the future. A highlight is participation in The ACCord Festival of Children’s Choirs, hosted by the ACC each year, which allows the children the opportunity to perform for and with children from other choirs from all over Melbourne.
Teamwork and pride in doing your best
Occasional workshops and activities are also provided for the children which in recent years have included percussion, movement and theatre sports. Through a mixed curriculum which incorporates elements of Kodály music education, basic vocal pedagogy, aural training, music theory and performance practice, the children in the Intermediate Choir continue to develop techniques such as good posture and breathing, as well as sight-reading and performance skills and written music theory. They sing unison, two and three-part repertoire in various languages, and work on developing good tone and accurate intonation as well as improve their vocal range and music literacy skills.
The Intermediate Choir presents 3 to 5 public performances yearly, including participation in The ACCord Festival of Children’s Choirs, which allows the children the opportunity to perform for and with children from other choirs from all over Melbourne in front of a large and supportive audience.
Sharing a love of music with friends
The ACC’s Reserve Choir meets once a week on Saturday afternoons from 2pm to 4.30pm, and provides advanced training and performance opportunities for boys and girls aged 9 – 15, depending on the musical ability and experience of the child. The choir is made up of advanced training choir students, who are preparing for entry into The Australian Children’s Choir, and immediately prior to promotion, the children in the Reserve Choir may be invited to observe rehearsals on a Thursday evening from 7pm to 9pm. One or two weekend music camps are also provided, where intensive rehearsal and individual auditioning can take place, and the children can get to know mentors in the senior choir and familiarise themselves with the older children.
The choir rehearses independently with their own conductor and accompanist, and at various times throughout the year they combine with other training ensembles and the Senior Choir to provide the children with the experience of being a part of a “massed” choir, and also allow the children to further develop friendships with children in the other ACC ensembles. Repertoire performed includes music especially commissioned for the group by local composers. Under the supervision of experienced staff the children work on aural training, vocal pedagogy, performance practice, as well as further developing their sight-reading skills and written music theory and literacy skills. They sing two, and three-part repertoire in various languages, and work on developing good tone and accurate intonation as well as improving their vocal range and power.
The Reserve Choir presents 4 to 6 public performances yearly, including participation in The ACCord Festival of Children’s Choirs, which allows the children the opportunity to perform for and with children from other choirs from all over Melbourne in front of a large and supportive audience. The Reserve Choir occasionally performs alongside the senior performing choir, and time in the Reserve Choir is the final preparation before children are invited to audition for entry into The Australian Children’s Choir as senior choristers.
Presenting polished performances in the Senior Choir
The Australian Children’s Choir is the senior performing ensemble of the organisation, and has developed an international reputation as one of the nation’s outstanding mixed-voice treble choirs. The choir is well known for its refined performances, the quality of its varied repertoire and the production of fine young musicians, many of whom have gone on to pursue successful musical careers.
The ACC’s Senior Choir is made up of approximately fifty boys and girls aged 11-18 who demonstrate advanced musical ability, excellent concentration and personal organisation skills and a commitment to excellence. The choir rehearses on Thursday evenings 7pm to 9pm, and also on Saturday afternoons 2pm to 4.30pm throughout the school year. Regional tours are held once or twice a year, and in previous years the choir has toured internationally every few years, to destinations including New Zealand, Wales, China, the USA and most recently to England, Germany and Austria.
Senior Choristers must demonstrate advanced vocal techniques, fluency in sight-reading and an ability to sing harmony parts. Senior Choristers master a rigorous program of challenging music ranging from contemporary works written especially for them by Australian composers, to masterpieces by the great composers like Bach and Mozart, Mendlessohn, Debussy or Britten, and contemporary composers from around the world. The choir also regularly performs music for Television, Film, and commercial recordings, and appears from time to time with celebrated local and international artists as well as with professional adult ensembles such as the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra and the Victoria Police Showband.
Members of The Australian Children’s Choir perform two, three and four-part treble repertoire, and also combine with adult ensembles to perform SATB advanced repertoire, sometimes accompanied by professional orchestras. Singers continue to develop and learn music theory, advanced aural training and hone their performance skills under the supervision of one of Australia’s leading choral experts. Individual attention is given to each singer as his or her voice develops, and children are regularly voice tested to ensure that they are developing to their fullest potential. Members of the Australian Children’s Choir gain many outstanding social and musical experiences, and regularly perform in the finest venues from the Melbourne Recital Centre, Hamer Hall, BMW Edge and St Paul’s Cathedral in Melbourne, to the Sydney Opera House or Angel Place Recital Hall in Sydney, or at major international venues such as Canterbury Cathedral, Salzburg Cathedral or Southwark Cathedral in London.
In return for a dedication and commitment to excellence, the members of The ACC’s senior choir receive an excellent musical and cultural education under the guidance of some of the nation’s leading musical educators, and many wonderful musical and social experiences, which allows them to take on the role of cultural ambassadors for both the ACC and their country.
