Information current as at AUGUST 2010

Yvonne Giltinan, Musical Director & Conductor, (03) 9816 9413 (AH)

Choir's Email Address: info@yarragospel.org

Choir's Website: www.yarragospel.org

Vision statement / Artistic goals: Yarra Gospel sings gospel music in the community for their own and others enjoyment; practices are as much fun as performances

Voice type: SATB

Choir performs: Both accompanied & unaccompanied

Year Choir formed: 2004

No. of Singing Members - Currently: 60 Desired: no more than 70

Musical Repertoire: Arrangements by Tony Backhouse, Moses Hogan, and traditional Gospel favourites

Musical Director: Yvonne Giltinan

No. of years in current post: since 2004

Previous musical experience: Yvonne has been a Director of Music in schools in the Northern Territory and Hobart, and has conducted community choirs throughout her career; she also gives gospel workshops at conferences, birthday parties and in church services where participants find themselves singing four part harmonies in a very short time

Janine Anderson and Jeremy Bennett are singing specialists and assist Yvonne with rehearsals, performances and development of the choir's musicianship

Choir's past collaborations with other musical groups: Yarra Valley Singers

Audition: No, not required

Minimum Attendance policy - Rehearsals: Regular attendance is appreciated and encouraged particularly leading up to performances Concerts: No

Membership Fees: Weekly fee of $9 ($6 Heath card/student conc), Joining fee $5, Annual Membership $20

Ability to read music: Desirable but not necessary

Sight-reading ability: Desirable but not necessary

Av. No. of rehearsals/week: 1

Usual rehearsal night(s): Thursday

Suburb: Hawthorn

Rehearsal venue: Auburn Baptist Church, 597 Burwood Rd

Off-street parking: Yes, at rear of church

Performance Apparel: Black and/or red; for more formal occasions, black with supplied coloured stoles

Av. No. of Concert Programs/year: n/a

Av. No. of Performances/year: 5-6

Sample of the Choir's past Concert Venues: Cruise on the Yarra River, weddings and birthday parties, A Taste of Gospel@get.wines.direct, Choral@Monsalvat, "Prayer for Melbourne" event (Federation Square), weddings and birthdays, Boite Singers Festival (Daylesford), gospel workshops with Tony Backhouse, Community Choirs Festival (Hawthorn Town Hall), ABC FM Choir of the Year competition

Examples of musical pieces performed: Gospel favourites: O Happy Day, Down by the Riverside, Joyful Joyful, Amazing Grace, Down to the river to pray

Touring: Not yet

Administration / Governance arrangements for the Choir: An Incorporated Association

Types of Committees: Management

Own collection of music scores: Yes

Available for hire to other groups: By discussion

Hiring fees apply: No