Information current as at JUNE 2010

Choir's Email Address: n/a - the Choir can be contacted via the "Contact" page on its own website

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

Vision statement / Artistic goals: To strive to be a choir of outstanding quality, and to provide our audiences with a consistent standard of excellence in the finest tradition of Welsh male voice choirs

Voice type: All Male Singers

Choir performs: Both unaccompanied & accompanied

Year Choir formed: 1980

No. of Singing Members - Currently: 65 Desired: 80

Musical Repertoire: The Choir is committed to performing at least 25% of its repertoire in the Welsh language, and has attracted its audiences with a growing number of innovative theme concerts such as "Sing a Song of Britain", "Men of Harlech", "Australians All", and "Showtime"; the Choir presented music to complement the classic movie "How Green Was My Valley" at the historic Astor Theatre

Musical Director: Faleiry Koczkar

No. of years in current post: Since 1994

Previous musical experience: Faleiry (née Phillips) was born in Cardiganshire, Wales; Welsh was her first language and she did not speak English until she was 6 years of age; played the harp in the Welsh National Youth Orchestra and attained a Bachelor of Music degree with honours at Nottingham University, an Associate Diploma for harp performance from the Royal College of Music in London and a Dip Ed from the University of New England (NSW); Faleiry has been a music teacher and director in London, Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne

Choir's past collaborations with other musical groups: The Choir has strong alliances with many of the leading Welsh Male Voice Choirs and Musical Directors based in Wales and around the world; the Choir has frequently shared the stage with Choirs of world renown, and performs regularly with acclaimed musicians, soloists and orchestras

Audition: Yes - standard voice test, and demonstrated ability to hold a tune

Minimum Attendance policy - Rehearsals: Yes Concerts: Yes

Membership Fees: Contact the Secretary for details

Ability to read music: Desirable but Not Necessary

Sight-reading ability: Desirable

Av. No. of rehearsals/week: 2

Usual rehearsal night(s): Monday and Wednesday

Suburb: Blackburn South

Rehearsal venue: St Edward's Church

Off-street parking: Yes

Av. No. of rehearsals/week: 1

Usual rehearsal night(s): Thursday

Suburb: Golden Square

Rehearsal venue: Uniting Hall, cnr Laurel and High Sts

Off-street parking: No

Performance Apparel: A white shirt and green jacket, or black shirt with no jacket, with black trousers and a red tie

Av. No. of Concert Programs/year: 16

Av. No. of Performances/year: 26

Sample of the Choir's past Concert Venues: Melbourne Concert Hall, Box Hill Town Hall, Melbourne Town Hall, Eltham Community Centre, Royal Albert Hall (London), Astor Theatre (St Kilda), Melbourne Zoo, Robert Blackwood Hall (Monash University), Kilmore Parish Church, Yea Shire Hall, Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre, Regional Arts Theatre (Bendigo), Moonee Ponds Clock Tower Centre

Examples of musical pieces performed: A repertoire of over 70 songs, including Hallelujah Chorus (Messiah), Men of Harlech, Softly as I Leave You, Danny Boy, Amazing Grace, Sunrise Sunset, Hiraeth, Aberystwyth, Rachie, Dashenka, If I were a Rich Man, My Fair Lady, Unwaith Eto'n Ngymru Annwyl, Gwahoddiad, Ar Hyd Y Nos, Pan Fo'r Nos Yn Hir

Touring: Yes - Melbourne Metro Area/Regional Victoria/Interstate/Overseas

Administration / Governance arrangements for the Choir: President, 2 Vice-Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer, 4 Committee Members, Executive Officer, Musical Team

Types of Committees: Management, Concert Planning and Marketing, Ladies Support Group

Own collection of music scores: Yes

Available for hire to other groups: No