FROM THE CHAIR

The start of 2022 has been a great success for the Australian Boys Choral Institute. We have had an uninterrupted term of rehearsals, two concerts, and an Installations ceremony celebrating the achievements of our boys and young men with promotions to the next level of the Choir.

The calendar year started with the Australian Boys Choir Staff Soiree on Sunday 6th March; an outstanding success. Apart from being great teachers of music, we have incredibly talented music staff. They gave of their time and abilities to fundraise for the ABCI, but the event also raised the morale of the whole Institute with the first live performance in nearly a year. The Vocal Consort presented their first performance for the year with Journeyings on April 7th in Our Lady of Victories Basilica, Camberwell. A beautiful Ukrainian anthem, performed as an encore, was a moving end to the concert.

Unfortunately, our wonderful General Manager, Ms. Katie Whitecross, recently decided to call time on her role with the Institute. We were sad when Katie announced her decision to leave this critical post late last year, as she has done an outstanding job over nearly six years; firstly as the Administrative Assistant to the then General Manager for about two and a half years, and then as General Manager. Katie stepped into the latter position at short notice, in late 2018, during a difficult time for the ABCI, but did an amazing job. Katie’s passion for the Choir, her intelligence, organisational skills, and welcoming demeanour are characteristics that enhanced the standing of the ABCI and the role of the General Manager. Thank you from the Choir community for all your great work, Katie.

We are delighted that Ms. Elizabeth Lindner has taken over as the new General Manager. Liz has been involved with the ABCI since 2010 in various volunteer roles, including as Marketing Team Leader and Social Media Manager. Additionally, Liz has been a part of the Caring Team on numerous Weekend Workshops, Summer Schools, Australian and international tours (including the brilliant European Tour in 2018). Her professional background is in strategic management and communications. We have had the benefit of these skills many times since 2010 with respect to media campaigns, website redesign, branding, and during our 75th Anniversary celebrations in 2014. Clearly, Liz will be a great asset to the ABCI.

Finally, the ABCI Board and management recently attended a whole-day strategy session, and there were lots of great ideas and enthusiasm for the future. We have planned the direction of the Choir for the next five years and beyond. It promises to be an exciting time.

Stephen Duffy, ABCI Board Chair