Information current as at AUGUST 2005

SCHOOL OF MUSIC CONSERVATORIUM, MONASH UNIVERSITY, WELLINGTON RD, CLAYTON VIC 3149

(03) 9905 3231 (BH)

Choir's Email Address: Linda.Thompson@arts.monash.edu.au

Choir's Website: n/a

Vision statement / Artistic goals: Viva Voce is the premier choral ensemble in the School of Music Conservatorium, Monash University ; the choir aims to provide students, staff and other interested singers with the opportunity to rehearse and perform choral music to a high standard, and to expose singers to a wide range of musical styles and musical traditions; the choir also provides opportunities for composers, through the commissioning and performance of new works, and through its activities adds to the cultural enrichment of the university; membership of the choir can contribute to various academic studies at Monash; the choir also performs at major campus events, graduation ceremonies, as well as performing major concerts to the public throughout the year

Voice type: SATB

Choir performs: Both unaccompanied & accompanied

Year Choir formed: 1992

No. of Singing Members - Currently: approx. 70 Desired: 80

Musical Repertoire: Sacred and secular music of all periods

Musical Director: Andrew Wailes

No. of years in current post:

Previous musical experience: Widely regarded as one of Australia's leading conductors specializing in choral and symphonic choral repertoire; has been Conductor of Melbourne University Choral Society (MUCS) since 1992, Music Director and Chief Conductor of the Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra since 1998, Principal Guest Conductor of the Australian Classical Players Orchestra, Musical Director of the Box Hill Chorale (since 1995), a former Conductor and Life Member of the Monash University Choral Society, Artistic Director and Conductor of the Australian Children's Choir (since 1999); currently directs ACU St Patrick's Choir and Monash University's Viva Voce Choir; Guest Conductor of ensembles such as Chamber Made Opera, Lyric Opera of Melbourne; has been chorusmaster for groups including Kirov Opera, Prague Chamber Orchestra, Orchestra Victoria, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Perth and Melbourne International Festivals, Australian Intervarsity Festival Choir (all states), Australian Youth Orchestra, etc; has appeared as Guest Conductor of orchestras including Orchestra Victoria, Camerata Academica Freiburg (Germany), Monash Chamber Orchestra, the Victorian College of the Arts Symphony Orchestra, Melbourne Sinfonia, the Christchurch Sinfonia (New Zealand), Melbourne Youth Orchestra, Stonnington Symphony Orchestra, and has directed student ensembles at Melbourne University, Monash University, Australian Catholic University and the Victorian College of the Arts; a regular Guest Conductor of various orchestras and choirs at summer schools around the country; he has appeared with major choirs from the USA, Sweden, Canada, England, South Africa, Ireland, Canada and New Zealand as Guest Conductor; founder and Artistic Director of the Melbourne Festival of Children's Choirs, and is in demand throughout Victoria as a workshop leader, guest conductor and adjudicator; as singer, he has performed with groups such as Opera Australia, National Youth Choir of Australia, Past Echoes Early Music Group, IHOS Opera, various RSCM choirs, and numerous professional recording ensembles

Choir's past collaborations with other musical groups: Viva Voce has performed in many different concerts, with many different ensembles - Camerat Academica Freiburg (Germany), New Monash Orchestra, Monash Wind Sinfonia, Monash Chamber Orchestra, ACU St Patrick's Campus Choir, etc.

Audition: Audition for non-music students may be necessary; automatic entry if enrolled as a music student at Monash

Minimum Attendance policy - Rehearsals: Yes Concerts: Yes

Membership Fees: n/a

Ability to read music: Essential

Sight-reading ability: Essential

Av. No. of rehearsals/week: 2

Usual rehearsal night(s): Monday and Wednesday afternoons, some extra rehearsals

Suburb: Clayton

Rehearsal venue: Main Music Auditorium, Arts Precinct, Monash University (Clayton Campus)

Off-street parking: Yes

Performance Apparel: All black with splash of primary colour; for more formal concerts, all black/dinner suits, white shirts and black bow ties for male singers

Av. No. of Concert Programs/year: 3

Av. No. of Performances/year: 6

Sample of the Choir's past Concert Venues: BMW Edge, Federation Square, Robert Blackwood Hall, St Patrick's Cathedral, Music Auditorium, Arts Precinct, Monash University (Clayton)

Examples of musical pieces performed: Te Deum (Haydn), Songs of the Forrests (Shostakovich), Choral Fantasia (Beethoven), Requiem (Mozart), Carmina Burana (Orff), Cantique de Jean Racine (Faure), Chichester Psalms (Bernstein), Motets (Bruckner), various Australian compositions

Touring: No

Administration / Governance arrangements for the Choir: Managed by the School of Music Conservatorium, under supervision of Choir Director; assisted by Concerts and Events Manager

Types of Committees: Concert promotion and production (as needed)

Own collection of music scores: Yes

Available for hire to other groups: By arrangement

Hiring fees apply: Yes