GORDON MOYES

Over 60 years ago I won an audition to become a probationer in Australia’s first and finest boys’ choir, the Australian Boys Choir. In my day, we sang in concert and town halls right across the nation. That was unheard of for a young boy.

From the age of 10, I sang first soprano with the ABC, rising eventually to be a soloist. Every week I travelled by pushbike, train and then tram to attend practices at Glen Iris.

Our choirmaster was Mr Vincent J Kelly, the director of music in schools in Victoria and, later, my music master at Box Hill High School. He was a short, rotund musician, a bachelor, whose family was the choir.

One concert broke my heart. I was 14 years of age. I was to sing a solo near the end of the night - a classical item with a number of top “Gs”, which I usually handled with ease. Suddenly, our warm genial Vincent Kelly looked at me with a frown and a finger pointing in a signal that meant “stop singing”.

At the end of the bracket Mr Kelly threw his arm around my shoulder and said, “you were breaking up on your top notes. I think your voice is beginning to change.” That word was like a death sentence. That night another boy sang a solo in my place. The show went on but my career as a boy soprano came to an end.

My membership in the choir and friendship with that incredible musician, Vincent J Kelly, created hours of joy that took me through teenage years at a time when many companions were getting off the rails and getting into trouble. Mr Kelly had been a wonderful blessing in my life.

Rev the Hon. Dr Gordon Moyes AC MLC