Austinato Nov 2020

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity…”
Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities

Ken Connor said the Australian Boys Choir became like a second home for his son, Bill. And, after 15 years on the Choir’s Board, it became like a second home for Ken, too.

When speaking with prospective families on audition day, the Artistic Director often remarks that ABCI is ‘…a little old fashioned and we’re proud of that’.

Melbourne’s recent lockdown has been a thought-provoking time, to say the least. Some have struggled with social isolation, but others have thrived on the simplicity of staying home, not needing to rush around. Still, most of us feel some degree of anxiety when faced with uncertainty.

The Australian Boys Choir has given Justin Mitchell, only the fifth Head Chorister in the Choir’s more than 80-year history, many highlights. From soaring performances, to the best musical education he could imagine, his time has been thoroughly memorable. But for the final-year Kelly Gang member, the opportunity to be a mentor has been the stand-out of his time with the ABCI.

Director of Training Choirs Naomi Heyden recalls a rehearsal room epiphany where one of her youngest ABCI students exclaimed ‘I've always wanted to know that!’ Happily, his Kodály-inspired training provided the tools to answer his instinctive but unarticulated desire to understand music.

ABCI tutor Monika Harris believes the bonding and teamwork that comes with being part of a choir is just about the best experience you can have.

Just how does someone become an Artistic Director, and only the fifth person to hold that title in the history of the ABCI?