A CHOIR GOES WEST

The ABCI’s non-auditioned Early Learners program launched in the Choir’s 80th anniversary year, and has since seen steady growth. The start of 2023 has been particularly significant, marking the start of a modest expansion into the western suburbs of Melbourne with our Early Learners classes now being offered in Truganina, as well as Hawthorn.

These classes, for both boys and girls aged four to seven years, focus on learning through exploration and play. Our singers learn music-specific skills, such as keeping time, matching pitch, and melody recognition, and on top of this, pick up countless other transferable skills. They expand their memory capabilities with remembered songs; develop fine motor skills through playing different instruments each week; improve their language and subsequent reading competence; and build confidence in connecting with their peers through singing together.

Since the launch of Early Learners in 2019, numerous boys have gone on to successfully audition for the ABCI’s training program. For aspiring singers, beginning their musical journey at the Early Learners level has practical benefits, as families of these boys attest:

Staff see the benefits of gentle encouragement and modelled behaviour. Students who come to their first few Early Learners classes nervous and shy, flourish into young singers who volunteer to sing independently with the support of the group. There are several songs that allow us to track the progress of a child, especially with echo singing. There is much joy in observing this development and providing the opportunity for continual growth and extension; from singing a song in a group, to singing individually, through to taking over the role of the teacher and creating the echo for other students to mimic.

Early Learners teacher, Rachael Joyce says, ‘Working at this foundation level with the next generation of musicians is inspiring and humbling for me. Just this week, one Early Learner asked at the end of class “Why are we already finished?”. I used my preferred adage in response to this, “time flies when you’re having fun”, which, though perhaps clichéd, still rings true. I love spending my Monday and Wednesday afternoons learning and exploring with these young singers, and I find that they teach me just as much as I teach them.’

In addition to our Western Suburb Early Learner’s classes, we are currently seeking expressions of interest from families in the Western Suburbs with a son or grandson between the ages of 7–9. With sufficient numbers, we hope to be able to audition and offer places to join the first level of the formal Australian Boys Choir training program in Truganina on Monday afternoons from Term 3. Please visit www.australianboyschoir.com.au/our-programs for more information.