Information current as at AUGUST 2008

Choir's Email Address: simon.loveless@rmit.edu.au

Choir's Website: http://launch.rmit.edu.au/rmit_choir.html

Vision statement / Artistic goals: The choir offers cultural enrichment to students and staff members, singing at celebratory events for the university and in the commnity; the choir sings a range of music from all eras, always including 'world music'

Voice type: SATB

Choir performs: Both unaccompanied & accompanied

Year Choir formed: 1996

No. of Singing Members - Currently: 20 Desired: no limit

Musical Repertoire: Sacred and secular, from chant to contemporary classical and popular, including "world music"

Musical Director: Simon Loveless

No. of years in current post: since March 2008

Previous musical experience: BMus (Melb), LMusA (Piano); Simon is currently the director of the RMIT Concert Choir and the Da Capo Singers; previously he has directed the Berwick Youth Choir Chamber Singers, and was assistant musical director of the Cranbourne Chorale; Simon works primarily as an accompanist, and in that role has worked with many of Melbourne's choirs; currently he is accompanist and tutor at Berwick Youth Choir and Yarra Ranges Children's Choir; in addition to his activities as a conductor and accompanist, Simon sings in the Melbourne Chamber Choir, and serves on the ANCA Victorian State Committee

Choir's past collaborations with other musical groups: Melbourne Youth Chamber Strings, Percy Grainger Wind Symphony, part of the massed choir for the Classical Spectacular in Melbourne Park with Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, part of the massed choir for Sing Christmas for 5 years

Audition: No, and members do not need to be a student or staff member of RMIT

Minimum Attendance policy - Rehearsals: none Concerts: none

Membership Fees: none

Ability to read music: Desirable, but taught if not already acquired

Sight-reading ability: Desirable, but taught if not already acquired

Av. No. of rehearsals/week: 1

Usual rehearsal night(s): Wednesday 5-7pm at Bundoora campus; Tuesday 12-2pm at City campus

Suburb: Bundoora and City

Rehearsal venue: Bundoora - Staff Lounge, Student Union; City - Music Rehearsal Room, Building 57

Off-street parking: Bundoora - Yes; City - No

Performance Apparel: Women and men - longsleeved white shirt, black slacks or floor length skirt, black shoes and hose

Av. No. of Concert Programs/year: 3

Av. No. of Performances/year: 8

Sample of the Choir's past Concert Venues: Storey Hall and Ethel Osborne Hall (RMIT University), Melbourne Town Hall, Melbourne Park, Chapel at Old Melbourne Gaol, hotels - conference openings and dinners, on tour, local halls

Examples of musical pieces performed: Missa St Joannis de Deo (Haydn), Credo (Vivaldi), Horrortorio (Horowitz), Hallelujah Chorus, Your Voices Tune (Handel), Dirait-on (Laurisden), Cantique de Jean Racine (Faure), Ave verum (Mozart), many spirituals, African, Thai, Israeli, Phillipino music, Australian music, eg. Black Swana (Leek), Dumont Kelly Quartet, many folk and popular arrangements

Touring: Yes - Regional Victoria

Administration / Governance arrangements for the Choir: The choir is a program of RMIT Union Arts

Types of Committees: ad hoc for events, e.g. Concert Management, Box Office

Own collection of music scores: Yes - many with large numbers

Available for hire to other groups: Yes

Hiring fees apply: Yes