Information current as at AUGUST 2008

0401 331 106 (BH + AH)

Choir's Email Address: president@monucs.aicsa.org.au

Choir's Website: www.monucs.aicsa.org.au

Vision statement / Artistic goals: MonUCS is dedicated to allowing both students at Monash University and members of the wider community the opportunity to learn and perform both major and minor choral works in a friendly, open and relaxed environment

Voice type: SATB

Choir performs: Both accompanied & unaccompanied

Year Choir formed: 1962

No. of Singing Members - Currently: 30-40 Desired: Up to 100

Musical Repertoire: MonUCS has performed a range of works in recent years, including both classical and contemporary works ranging from Handel's Messiah and Mozart's Requiem to the Australian premiere of Ragtime: The Musical

Musical Director: Nicholas Cowall

No. of years in current post: since 2007

Previous musical experience: Nicholas Cowall completed tertiary music study at Monash University, University of Melbourne, the Moscow Conservatoire and the Victorian College of the Arts; Nicholas is currently Chair of the Russian Liturgical Music Committee of the Australian and New Zealand Diocese (ROCOR) and the leading exponent of Russian Sacred Choral repertoire in Australia; he has also conducted the Victorian Youth Symphony Orchestra, Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Choir, Melbourne University Choral Society, Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Orchestra, National Youth Choir of Australia, Sydney Philharmonia Choirs, Australian Children's Choir, 2001 Melbourne Federation Festival, and the Australian Girls Choir

Choir's past collaborations with other musical groups: MonUCS has previously performed major works with sister choirs RMIT Occasional Choral Society (ROCS) and the Melbourne University Choral Society (MUCS), and with other University choirs from around Australia as part of the Australian Intervarsity Choral Festival; in 2008, they performed in a combined concert with the Percy Grainger Wind Symphony

Audition: No

Minimum Attendance policy - Rehearsals: Yes Concerts: No

Membership Fees: $15 (new members), $35/$45 (returning students/workers)

Ability to read music: Desirable

Sight-reading ability: Desirable

Av. No. of rehearsals/week: 1

Usual rehearsal night(s): Tuesday

Suburb: Clayton

Rehearsal venue: Monash University Religious Centre

Off-street parking: Yes

Performance Apparel: Men: All black or black and white - black pants, black/white long-sleeve shirt, black shoes, black bow tie; Women: All black - black below-the-knee skirt (with tights) or black pants, black shoes, black shirt (sleeves must be at least ¾ sleeves, no plunging necklines)

Av. No. of Concert Programs/year: 3

Av. No. of Performances/year: 3 major concerts, plus Christmas carolling and occasional guest performances

Sample of the Choir's past Concert Venues: All Saints Church (St. Kilda), St Marks Anglican Church (Fitzroy), St Mary's Star of the Sea (West Melbourne), St Ignatious (Richmond), BMW Edge (Federation Square)

Examples of musical pieces performed: Messiah (Handel); Mass in F (Schubert); Five Mystical Songs, Three Shakespeare Songs (Vaughan Williams)

Touring: Yes - Melbourne Metro Area

Administration / Governance arrangements for the Choir: Elected Committee

Types of Committees: MonUCS operates under Monash Clubs and Societies constitution; Voting committee members: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, 2 General Assistants (must be Monash Clayton students); Non-voting: any society member; voting and non-voting members may be assigned portfolios of Concert Manager, Camp Officer, Fundraising Officer, Publicity Officer, Librarian and Archivist

Own collection of music scores: Yes

Available for hire to other groups: Yes

Hiring fees apply: Yes