Information current as at FEBRUARY 2006

(03) 9802 9239 (BH + AH)

Choir's Email Address: lorraine.pollard@optusnet.com.au

Choir's Website: n/a

Vision statement / Artistic goals: Maintain a high musical standard, made possible by correct placement of sounds and musicality; to achieve the appropriate style for each song; bring enjoyment to audiences and each other; this choir was formally known as the United Ladies Choir, until 2000

Voice type: All Female Singers

Choir performs: Both unaccompanied & accompanied

Year Choir formed: 1962

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

Musical Repertoire: Folk songs, classical, sacred and music theatre

Musical Director: Lorraine Pollard

No. of years in current post: 9

Previous musical experience: Singing teacher for 18 years in schools and at home; choral director of 6 choirs, SSA and SATB, spanning 25 years; soprano soloist and chorister for many years including Melbourne Chorale and University ensembles

Choir's past collaborations with other musical groups: Occasional joint concerts with Whitehorn Male Choir in the 1980s

Audition: Yes - singing of 5 note scales and arpeggios, and aural tests for singers in the lower voice parts

Minimum Attendance policy - Rehearsals: No Concerts: No

Membership Fees: $100 p.a. payable in a lump sum, half-yearly or quarterly

Ability to read music: Desirable

Sight-reading ability: Desirable

Av. No. of rehearsals/week: 1

Usual rehearsal night(s): Wednesday morning

Suburb: Burwood

Rehearsal venue: Burwood Uniting Church

Off-street parking: No

Performance Apparel: 3 outfits: summer and winter dresses and evening attire consisting of long skirt, blouse and waistcoat

Av. No. of Concert Programs/year: 2

Av. No. of Performances/year: 25

Sample of the Choir's past Concert Venues: Burwood Uniting Church Hall each November, Victorian country towns, retirement villages, senior citizens' venues, church groups, community service organisations around the Melbourne area

Examples of musical pieces performed: Australian songs, eg. I Am Australian, My Country and Heritage, English songs by Elgar, eg. Like To The Damask Rose, and Shepherd's Song, selection from Showboat (Jerome Kern), comic opera by Gilbert and Sullivan, eg. Braid The Raven Hair and Dance a Cachucha, Christmas carols, eg. Candlelight Carol (Rutter), Sussex Carol (arr. Willcocks)

Touring: Yes - Melbourne Metro Area/Regional Victoria - usually only 1 country centre per year

Administration / Governance arrangements for the Choir: Committee of Management which handles general administration and bookings

Own collection of music scores: Yes

Available for hire to other groups: No