ABOUT US
On Friday 20 October 1939, a small group of singers met in Melbourne for the very first rehearsal of the Australian Boys Choir. It marked the beginning of an extraordinary journey towards recognition as the country’s 'first and finest' choir for boys and young men.Weaving together old and new, and intertwining historical masterworks with captivating new sounds, the voices of the Australian Boys Choir come together in a diverse repertoire spanning six centuries. The Choir refreshes and renews through its exceptional young singers, and with a level of musical sophistication that constantly surprises, it continues to engage and enchant audiences around the globe.
The Choir is a leader in choral education and performance, with choristers selected though auditions. A rigorous training program based on the methods of the Hungarian composer Zoltan Kodály provides coaching in the areas of music literacy, aural skills and vocal development, but also encourages boys to build invaluable social and life skills.
In its role as a cultural ambassador, the Choir has toured extensively overseas, appearing frequently on radio and television and presenting the premiere performances of countless new works of significance. In addition to collaborating with some of the world’s greatest orchestras, including engagements with the Israel Philharmonic and Melbourne Symphony, it has sung under many prominent conductors – international maestros Zubin Mehta, Hiroyuki Iwaki and John Hopkins chief among them.
Over the course of its 80-year history, it is proud to have appeared for Opera Australia, the Australian Ballet, and on the soundtrack of several critically acclaimed films: the Oscar-nominated Elizabeth and the Australian box office hit The Dish.
MISSION
To achieve excellence in the performance of choral music through exceptional musical training.
To enable individuals to realise their own potential for excellence.
To engage with our community and others in Australia and abroad through collaboration, commissioning of new works and performance excellence.
ORGANISATION
The Australian Boys Choral Institute is the corporate and legal entity behind the training and performing groups of the Australian Boys Choir and The Vocal Consort. The organisation is registered as a not-for-profit incorporated company limited by guarantee under Articles of Association.
GOVERNANCE
The Board of the Australian Boys Choral Institute is elected by Registered Members at the Annual General Meeting oversees the affairs of the Institute.
MANAGEMENT
Management is in the hands of the Artistic Director and the General Manager, who are assisted by the music and administration staff and a small army of volunteers.
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