Information current as at DECEMBER 2005

(03) 9953 3211 (BH)

Choir's Email Address: n/a

Choir's Website: www.ccsinging.com

Vision statement / Artistic goals: The Ring Singers sings innovative programmes of interesting but neglected repertoire for small choir/vocal ensemble; their programmes combine music with literary readings to enhance the experience and interpretation of both

Voice type: SATB

Choir performs: Both accompanied & unaccompanied

Year Choir formed: 2003

No. of Singing Members - Currently: 10 Desired: 10-12

Musical Repertoire: Choral art music, from the middle ages to the present; composers ranging from Hildegard von Bingen and Margarita Cozzolani to Salamone Rossi, Mendelssohn, Ives and Britten, with some new music

Musical Director: Patricia Shaw

No. of years in current post: 3 (founding director)

Previous musical experience: Patricia Shaw has conducted several choirs over the past 10 years, including the Melbourne Vocal Ensemble, MacFarland Singers, SCUNA and an InterVarsity Choral Festival; she is a lecturer at Australian Catholic University and specialises in twentieth-century and Australian music, with over 20 years' experience in choirs and orchestras

Choir's past collaborations with other musical groups: Plucked & bowed string ensemble Duo Seria (Victoria Watts and Rosemary Hodgson) in 2003

Audition: Yes - Audition with solo item and sight-singing

Minimum Attendance policy - Rehearsals: Yes Concerts: Yes

Membership Fees: none

Ability to read music: Essential

Sight-reading ability: Essential

Av. No. of rehearsals/week: 1

Usual rehearsal night(s): Tuesday

Suburb: Northcote

Rehearsal venue: n/a

Off-street parking: No

Performance Apparel: Black with a splash of colour

Av. No. of Concert Programs/year: 2

Av. No. of Performances/year: 4-6

Sample of the Choir's past Concert Venues: ACU Recital Room (Fitzroy), Christ Church (Brunswick), Chapel of Queen's College (Parkville), Brighton Library, Bililla Historic Mansion (Brighton)

Examples of musical pieces performed: Psalm settings by Salamone Rossi (from Songs of Solomon, 1623), Sweelinck (from Psaumes de David, 1621), Schütz (from Bekersche Psalter, 1630), Mendelssohn (Richte mich Gott), Charles Ives (Psalm 67), Hildegard von Bingen (O Ecclesia and O ignis spiritus), Maddalena Casulana (Se scior and Ahi possanza d'amor), Sulpitia Cesis (Stabat mater and Il mio piu vago sole), the Aleotti sisters (Ego flos campi, T'amo mia vita and Io v'amo vita mia), Beatriz Comtessa de Dia (A chantar)

Touring: No

Administration / Governance arrangements for the Choir: Managed by the Musical Director, with assistance from choir members

Types of Committees: n/a

Own collection of music scores: No