Information current as at JUNE 2003

(03) 9872 4480 (BH)

Choir's Email Address: office@nationalboyschoir.com.au

Choir's Website: www.nationalboyschoir.com.au

Vision statement / Artistic goals: Committed to choral excellence, love of singing, life skills and leadership development

Voice type: All Male Singers - vocal production is based on the traditional European bel canto style

Choir performs: Both unaccompanied & accompanied

Year Choir formed: 1964

No. of Singing Members - Currently: 180 Desired:

Musical Repertoire: Wide variety from a capella to major works with Melbourne Symphony, also commissioned works and fully staged children's operas, musical comedy, art songs, folk songs

Musical Directors: Peter Casey and Philip Carmody

No. of years in current post: 15 and 6 respectively

Previous musical experience:

Peter Casey - joined the Victorian State Opera Chorus in 1989 and performed in many of their major productions,and also for Opera Australia; an accomplished choral conductor, having studied with Robert Rosen; has directed the National Boys Choir since 1987, and prepared the Choir for many performances with the Melbourne Symphony; has also conducted a wide variety of concerts for events such as the 1995 Summer Music Festival, the Collings Street Promenade and the Sun Aria Final

Philip Carmody - studied music at Melbourne College of Education, majoring in piano; formerly Director of Music at Tintern Anglican Girls' Grammar School; currently Head of Chapel Music and Choral Studies at Melbourne Grammar School; in 1998, won the Best Music Director Award from the Theatre Guild for Whitehorse Music Theatre's production of Man of La Mancha; has accompanied performers such as Judy Connelli, John O'May, Eileen Hannan and Stuart Wagstaff; organist at St Francis Church, Lonsdale St, Melbourne

Choir's past collaborations with other musical groups: Major works with Melbourne Symphony and Melbourne Chorale

Audition: Yes - generally at the age of 7 or 8, and possessing a good musical ear

Minimum Attendance policy - Rehearsals: Yes Concerts: Yes

Membership Fees: Training Choirs $600 p.a.; Performing Choir $1000 p.a.

Ability to read music: Desirable

Sight-reading ability: Desirable

Av. No. of rehearsals/week: 2

Usual rehearsal night(s): Tuesday - Training Choirs; Friday and Monday Performing Choir

Suburb: Ringwood

Rehearsal venue: own venue

Off-street parking: Yes

Performance Apparel: Formal uniform, formal robe, Black and White formal, Rehearsal uniform

Av. No. of Concert Programs/year: 2

Av. No. of Performances/year: 20

Sample of the Choir's past Concert Venues: Melbourne Concert Hall, Robert Blackwood Hall

Examples of musical pieces performed: Gloria (Vivaldi) (with SATB men), works by Bach, Perosi, Mendelssohn, Mulholland, Stephen Leek

Touring: Yes - Regional Victoria/Interstate/Overseas

Administration / Governance arrangements for the Choir: Incorporated Association administered by a Board, Office Manager

Types of Committees: Fundraising, Library, Wardrobe, Transport, Staffing Assistance

Own collection of music scores: Yes

Available for hire to other groups: Yes

Hiring fees apply: Yes