Information current as at APRIL 2008

0412 403 704 or (03) 9803 3049 (for musical enquiries)

Choir's Email Address: katie.wardrobe@gmail.com

Choir's Website: www.yrcc.org.au/

Vision statement / Artistic goals: Joy in musical and social participation, equal access for all interested and committed children, excellence in choral music education, service to the Yarra Ranges community, and commitment to the development and performance of quality Australian choral music

Voice type: Children's Treble, Boys' Changing Voices and Parents

Choir performs: Both accompanied & unaccompanied

Year Choir formed: 1999

No. of Singing Members - Currently: Currently 25 in 2 choirs Desired: 70; currently, there are vacancies in both the Training choir (beginners, around 5-7 years old) and the Concert choir (upper primary/lower secondary, with some experience)

Musical Repertoire: Classical works, folk songs of many cultures, spirituals, popular songs, and modern choral compositions

Musical Director: Katie Wardrobe

No. of years in current post: since 2008

Previous musical experience: B Mus (Education), Kodaly and Orff Level 1, sang with Les Ms (women's a cappella group) and MonUCS, sang with and directed Victoria Chamber Singers, director of Vocalese (mixed a cappella group), teacher at Melbourne Academy of Choirs, private recorder teacher, currently works part-time for Sibelius and runs own business doing copying, arranging and training

Choir's past collaborations with other musical groups: Yarra Valley Singers, Maroondah Symphony Orchestra, Maroondah Singers, Berwick Youth Choir, Da Capo Singers, Cecilian Singers, Young Voices of Melbourne, Victoria Police Show Band, Melbourne Chamber Choir, Melbourne Women's Choir, Dandenong Ranges Music Council projects

Audition: Yes - All new children are welcomed into the choir and placed in Training or Concert Choir, depending on age and experience; entrance audition for advanced Chamber Choir only; annual re-auditions for program evaluation and placement in appropriate ensembles; parents of child choristers are welcome to sing in the Parents Choir

Minimum Attendance policy - Rehearsals: Yes for Chamber Choir only Concerts: Yes for Chamber Choir only

Membership Fees: Chamber Choirs 1 & 2/Concert Choir 3: $150 per term; Concert Choir 2: $120 per term; Concert Choir 1/Eastern Rosellas: $90 per term; Golden Whistlers: $80 per term; Joining fee: $20; discounts available for large families; also, a fee relief policy exists to enable all children who love to sing the opportunity to participate, regardless of their families' financial means; Association membership (optional): $2 annually

Ability to read music: Essential for Chamber Choir; Not necessary for other groups

Sight-reading ability: Highly desirable for Chamber Choir; Not necessary for other groups

Av. No. of rehearsals/week: 1 per group

Usual rehearsal night(s): Tuesday (late afternoons, younger groups have shorter rehearsals)

Suburb: Mount Evelyn

Rehearsal venue: Pembroke Secondary College (Mt Evelyn Campus), Old Hereford Road

Off-street parking: Yes

Performance Apparel: Younger choristers - blue choir polo shirts, blue choir windcheater, black trousers or skirt, black leather shoes; Older choristers - blue blouse and black pants for girls, white shirt and black dinner suit for boys

Av. No. of Concert Programs/year: up to 10, depending on group

Av. No. of Performances/year: up to 10, depending on group

Sample of the Choir's past Concert Venues: Melbourne Concert Hall, George Wood Performing Arts Centre, Robert Blackwood Hall (Monash University), Mt Evelyn Christian Fellowship, Olympic Torch Relay, Belgrave Heights Convention Centre, Yering Station, Lilydale Lake, Storey Hall, Mooroolbark Community Centre, Montsalvat

Examples of musical pieces performed: Works by Australian composers including Noel Ancell, Stephen Leek, Anne Boyd, Paul Jarman and Mark Puddy; world music; contemporary classical

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

Administration / Governance arrangements for the Choir: Incorporated not-for-profit Association with committee of management

Own collection of music scores: Yes

Available for hire to other groups: Yes

Hiring fees apply: Yes