CHRIS BURGESS

Like most boys, Chris Burgess joined the Choir at around 9 years of age after choir representatives visited his school. In Chris’s case the school visitors were actually from another boys choir but he auditioned and was selected for the Australian Boys Choir. He was fortunate to tour internationally twice. Firstly, to Japan in 1971, on the Choir’s first overseas tour. Secondly, to the USA in 1976, this time as a member of staff. His family also enjoyed billeting children from visiting international choirs.

Although the boys were not billeted in Japan, Chris says, “we probably all went there with pen friends and were all receiving letters before we left. I certainly remember getting letters from people wanting to be pen friends. Lots of us ended up meeting people we had written to.”

Later Chris travelled to and lived in Japan and reconnected with people he had met on his Choir tour. He now runs an English Language College for foreign students in Melbourne. How did his foreign experiences with the Choir influence him?

“It was definitely formative in my outlook on life and my acceptance of and interest in other cultures.”