Information current as at MARCH 2009

0431 471 783 (BH + AH)

Choir's Email Address: La_La_La@optusnet.com.au

Choir's Website: www.vicnet.net.au/~la_la_la/

Vision statement / Artistic goals: To celebrate the music of the French speaking world; the choir focuses on learning the musical repertoire, developing members' singing abilities and preparing for performances; La La La is a very supportive and friendly group with a warm and welcoming environment and a sense of fun; social activities include coffee or drinks after rehearsals and occasional dinners and barbecues; the choir is celebrating its tenth anniversary in November 2008

Voice type: SATB

Choir performs: A cappella (unaccompanied) for vast majority of items; when possible, some songs are performed with organ accompaniment

Year Choir formed: 1998

No. of Singing Members - Currently: 24 Desired: no limit

Musical Repertoire: Repertoire comprises works from across the French-speaking world; this includes folk songs, lullabies, jazz, drinking songs, courtly love songs, composed classical pieces by Faure, Saint-Saens, Debussy, Berlioz and others, and a Christmas repertoire; there are also works from various regions of France including Corsica, Massif Central and Burgundy, and also from Canada and Africa; the songs range from medieval, renaissance, baroque and romantic periods, through to the twentieth century

Musical Director: Paola Bastreri-Grey

No. of years in current post: since 2004

Previous musical experience: Paola attended the University of Melbourne's Faculty of Music, where she studied with clarinettist Isobel Carter; she became a member of Backdoor Sinfonietta, and later played principal clarinet in the Camberwell Camerata Orchestra for five years; after completing her Bachelor of Music degree, she went on to gain her Diploma in Education, and then began full-time teaching at Ivanhoe Girls' Grammar School, teaching classroom music at Years 7-12 and also clarinet, conducting the Senior Concert Band and Orchestra, and directing various smaller wind ensembles; Paola also expanded her practical knowledge into the string family, taking up cello lessons; in 1995 she studied conducting with renowned conductor Robert Rosen; during this time, Paola also sang in and co-directed Vox Humana, an a cappella vocal group of which she was a founding member; Paola began vocal studies with Ruth Guthrie at the Melba Conservatorium in 1998; having a wealth of musical experience behind her, she successfully completed her 8th grade AMEB singing exams in second year; she performed in all the Melba concerts and was featured as soloist in excerpts of Stravinsky's The Rake's Progress, (playing Ann Trulove) and Monteverdi's L'Orfeo (Prologo); Paola gained her Diploma in Music from Melba, and in 2004 her performance diploma AMusA in singing from the Australian Music Examinations Board; in July 2004, she became Conductor and Musical Director of La La La

Choir's past collaborations with other musical groups: La La La occasionally performs with other groups but has no formal collaborations

Audition: No formal audition, but you must be able to sing in tune; Choir members do not need to speak French - help is given with pronounciation and translations are provided, but some language knowledge is helpful

Minimum Attendance policy - Rehearsals: No Concerts: No

Membership Fees: $90/$50 conc. per school term (4 terms per year), payable in advance

Ability to read music: Not necessary

Sight-reading ability: Not necessary

Av. No. of rehearsals/week: 1

Usual rehearsal night(s): Wednesday

Suburb: Northcote

Rehearsal venue: Northcote Uniting Church

Off-street parking: No

Performance Apparel: All Black, scarves are provided

Av. No. of Concert Programs/year: 3-4

Av. No. of Performances/year: 6

Sample of the Choir's past Concert Venues: Northcote Uniting Church (Music for the Soul series and Darebin Music Fest), The Boite World Music Cafe, Ballarat Fine Art Gallery, Montsalvat Choral Festival

Examples of musical pieces performed: Classical works - Calme des Nuits/Les Fleurs et les Arbres (Saint-Saens), Dieu, qu'il la fait bon regarder (Debussy), Le Baylere (Canteloube); Jazz songs - Legende du Pays aux Oiseaux; Le Soleil Le Soleil Et La Lune; Drinking songs - Aussitot que la lumiere, Quand le vin est bon; Courtly romance - Belle qui tiens ma vie, Tant que vivray; Christmas songs - Les Anges dans nos Campagnes, Il est ne le divin Enfant; Accompanied items - L'Adieu des Bergers a la Saint Famille (Berlioz), Cantique de Jean Racine (Gabriel Faure)

Touring: No

Administration / Governance arrangements for the Choir: The choir is run essentially by the general manager, treasurer and publicity specialists, with committees set up as required for specific purposes, such as celebrating our tenth anniversary; major decisions are informally voted on

Types of Committees: see above

Own collection of music scores: Yes

Available for hire to other groups: No