Behind the Decades – Australian Boys Choir

25 July 2020

75 YEARS, 75 STORIES

In 2014, the Australian Boys Choir hosted an exhibition in the Yarra Gallery at Federation Square. A dedicated team of volunteers and Australian Boys Choir staff worked for over a year to design an exhibition and program to commemorate the Australian Boys Choir 75th year.

26 July 2020

COLIN CONGRESS

At 13 years old, Colin joined 20 other boys as one of the seniors at the very first rehearsal of the Australian Boys Choir on 20th October 1939. He was number 2 on the roll.

26 July 2020

GORDON MOYES

Over 60 years ago I won an audition to become a probationer in Australia’s first and finest boys’ choir, the Australian Boys Choir. In my day, we sang in concert and town halls right across the nation. That was unheard of for a young boy.

26 July 2020

FRANK MOORE | HOBART BRANCH

Following the ABC’s successful tour of Tasmania in 1951, the Tasmanian Boys Choir, established by Jeffrey Boyes, applied for affiliation. In 1952 it became the Hobart branch of the Australian Boys Choir.

26 July 2020

DEAN KOCH | ADELAIDE BRANCH

With the Australian Boys Choir’s expansion in the early 1950s, the Adelaide branch was established in 1953. Robert Murray was the State Director, with considerable input from Richard Flynn, the choir’s SA representative until 1979.

26 July 2020

BRIAN FITZGERALD

Brian’s time with the choir was marked with events that were significant both for the choir and for Australia - the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, the arrival of television and the annual Moomba Festival. Brian, with the choir, was involved with all of these events.

26 July 2020

PETER BUTLER

Peter Butler’s four years as a chorister (1965 to 1969) instilled many very vivid memories. Peter has the distinction of being the most widely engaged old boy in the Choir’s history, laying claim to roles as teacher, conductor, accompanist, founding TVC member, composer, soiree host, committee member, Registered Member and Board Member.

26 July 2020

GRAHAM COX

Graham Cox began his career as an accompanist… to himself, as a 9 year old Probationer with the Australian Boys Choir.

26 July 2020

THE STAFFORD FAMILY

Elwynne Stafford is well placed to comment on the recurring themes of the Australian Boys Choir. Her family’s involvement has spanned over 50 years and all five Music Directors and she was appointed an Honorary Life Member of the ABCI in 2017.