Information current as at JULY 2006

Rose Capp, President, (03) 9531 7034, Email: rosecapp@netspace.net.au

Maria Martin, Secretary, 0400 559 867, Email: mlmartin@bigpond.net.au

Choir's Website: www.keytoneschoir.com

Vision statement / Artistic goals: The Nurses Choir of Victoria was formed in 1997 with a view to nurses getting together to sing, have fun and debrief; the choir has developed significantly over the last 6 years and has achieved a professional standard, performing at between 6-8 events each year; membership has now been broadened to include any member of the public; the choir is particularly keen to recruit more blokes to balance the sound and allow the choir to tackle more complex works

Voice type: SATB

Choir performs: Both unaccompanied & accompanied

Year Choir formed: 1997

No. of Singing Members - Currently: approx. 25 Desired: 30-40

Musical Repertoire: Everything from classical to modern, jazz, music theatre, gospel, traditional African arrangements, Broadway musical standards

Musical Director: Jane Murone

No. of years in current post: 3

Previous musical experience: Jane Murone completed her Bachelor of Music (Hons) at the Australian Catholic University where she studied both piano and voice; during her university years, Jane studied conducting under Roger Heagney (OAM) and Dr Geoffry Cox, and was a Choral Scholar with the Australian National Youth Perfroming Arts Group; other studies have included an Orff-Schulwerk program and various conducting seminars; since completing her degree, Jane has worked at a number of schools as a piano teacher and accompanist, and as a choral trainer for a wide range of choirs, including the Australian Children's Choir, and various school and community-based choirs, with participants ranging in age from 2 to 80 years; Jane is also involved with local amateur musical theatre and is a voice trainer and chorus leader in annual productions at St Gabriel's Theatre Group in Reservoir; Jane currently works at St Columbas College in Essendon as a piano teacher, choral conductor and accompanist; Jane was appointed Musical Director of the Keytones in March 2004; her involvement with the Keytones enables her to enrich many people with the joy of music, whether it be through singing with concerts, and finds the commitment and enthusiasm of the choir inspirational

Choir's past collaborations with other musical groups: Sophie's Voice, Melbourne Boys' High School Singers, Australian Children's Choir, Trades Hall Choir, Arcapella, In Concert with Roma Waterman

Audition: No - potential choir members should just have a desire to sing and a lively sense of humour!

Minimum Attendance policy - Rehearsals: No, but members are required to attend weekly rehearsals in the weeks leading up to a performance Concerts: No

Membership Fees: $70 per semester ($50 for unwaged members)

Ability to read music: Desirable, but not necessary

Sight-reading ability: Not necessary

Av. No. of rehearsals/week: 1

Usual rehearsal night(s): Monday, 7:30-9:30pm

Suburb: Fitzroy North

Rehearsal venue: Melbourne City Mission Chapel, corner of Church and Nicholson Sts

Off-street parking: Yes

Performance Apparel: Ladies - long sleeved black top and long black skirt or pants; Gents - black shirt and black trousers

Av. No. of Concert Programs/year: 2

Av. No. of Performances/year: Annual concert plus additional performances

Sample of the Choir's past Concert Venues: St Georges Uniting Church (St Kilda East), Atheneum Theatre and Swanston Street Church of Christ (City), Sophia Mundi Steiner School (Abbotsford), Telstra Dome, Moonee Valley Racecourse, Hawthorn Town Hall

Examples of musical pieces performed: Movies and Musicals, e.g. It Don't Mean a Thing if it Ain't Got that Swing, This Joint is Jumping (Ain't Misbehavin'), Moon River (Breakfast at Tiffanys); Celtic, e.g. Danny Boy, Riversong, May it Be; Blues/Roots/Gospel/Jazz, e.g. Sentimental Journey, People Get Ready, Down to the River to Pray; Pop, e.g. Sounds of Silence (Simon/Garfunkel), Goodnight, My Angel (Billy Joel), Californian Dreaming (Beach Boys); Classical, e.g. The Lord is My Shepherd, May the Lord Bless You and Keep You; Traditional African, e.g. Siyahumba, Mangwani Mpulele

Touring: Not as yet

Administration / Governance arrangements for the Choir: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Committee of Management

Own collection of music scores: Yes

Available for hire to other groups: Potentially

Hiring fees apply: Potentially