Information current as at SEPTEMBER 2009

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

Faye Dumont, Music Director, (03) 9818 1296 (AH)

Choir's Email Address: Head of Voice: loris.synan@arts.monash.edu.au

Choir's Website: www.arts.monash.edu.au/music

Vision statement / Artistic goals: Monash University Concert Choir is the School of Music Conservatorium’s largest performance ensemble; it was formed in 1992 and has since held a distinguished place in the School of Music Conservatorium and in the university; the choir consists of music students, students from other Monash University faculties attending for credit or pleasure, volunteer staff members and interested community participants; its repertoire covers a wide range of music eras and traditions, including historical and new Australian compositions; the choir presents an autumn and a spring concert for the School of Music Conservatorium lunch time series, and participates in other university and community events; it is the School of Music Conservatorium’s goal, through the choir, to give singers the enriching experience of using their voices in a large ensemble

Voice type: SATB

Choir performs: Both unaccompanied & accompanied

Year Choir formed: 1992

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

Musical Repertoire: A broad and educational range of repertoire from the Renaissance to the present, with some emphasis on new music, original composition and Australian works; both small and large works

Musical Director: Faye Dumont

No. of years in current post: since 2009

Previous musical experience: Concurrently, Faye Dumont conducts the Monash University Women's Choir Philomel, and externally, the Melbourne Chamber Choir and the Melbourne Women’s Choir; Faye has been conductor/lecturer at the University of Melbourne, the Melbourne College of Advanced Education, Australian Catholic University, Latrobe University, RMIT University and the Victorian College of the Arts; Faye was founder conductor of the Melbourne Youth Choir and prepared the chorus for the 850-voice Victoria Victoria concert and the 1500-voice Australia Australia concert; she is Convenor of the conductor organisation Australian Choral Conductors Education and Training

Choir's past collaborations with other musical groups: In 2009, the choir sang with the Monash Academy Orchestra in the Tosca chorus at the Monash Academy of Music "A Gala Night at the Opera"

Audition: Automatic entry for enrolled music students at Monash University; audition for non-music students and the public may be required

Minimum Attendance policy - Rehearsals: Yes (80%) Concerts: Yes

Membership Fees: No fees

Ability to read music: Essential

Sight-reading ability: Essential

Av. No. of rehearsals/week: 1

Usual rehearsal night(s): Monday afternoons, 2-4 pm

Suburb: Clayton

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

Off-street parking: Yes

Performance Apparel: Black slacks or full length black skirt; black long-sleeved shirt/top with a scarf for women, and tie for men, in a bright colour

Av. No. of Concert Programs/year: 2-3

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

Sample of the Choir's past Concert Venues: Monash Univerity venues – Robert Blackwood Hall, the Music Auditorium and the Spiritual Centre; suburban and city concert venues and churches

Examples of musical pieces performed: Your Voices Tune (Handel), O crux ave (Victoria), Gloria from Heiligmesse (Haydn), Sanctus 3 (Bach), Ave verum and Laudate Dominum (Mozart), A Star Shall Rise (Mendelssohn), On the Death of a Bush Church (Grandage), Hope There Is (Maclean), Waltzing Matilda (arr. Austin Phillips), I’m Seventeen Come Sunday (arr. Grainger)

Touring: Yes - Melbourne Metro area

Administration / Governance arrangements for the Choir: School of Music Conservatorium administration, Monash library assistance, student leaders and conductors

Types of Committees: Student volunteers for specific tasks

Own collection of music scores: Yes

Available for hire to other groups: Yes

Hiring fees apply: Yes