CHORISTERS ROBERT & FRANK

Robert & Frank are Choristers of the Australian Boys Choir. They are thrilled to be setting off on the Choir's first bus tour since 2019 this September. Destinations on their 'Songs from Here and There' tour will include Hamilton, Portland, Warrnambool and Colac, plus a special school holiday performance at Ballarat's Sovereign Hill. For dates, specific locations and bookings please see www.australianboyschoir.com.au/whats-on/concerts.

When did you join the Australian Boys Choir?
Robert: I joined the ABCI in 2017, when I was in Year 2.

Frank: I auditioned at the start of 2018 and started rehearsals as a Probationer in the second half of the year.

What do you enjoy most about coming to Choir?
Frank: I really enjoy being able to come and share my love of music and singing with other people that appreciate the same things.

Robert: I enjoy being able to meet other people with similar interests. Many people at school don’t have an interest in singing, so Choir is a great place to make new friends and chat about singing and music.

How is choir different from school?
Frank: At school there are different friendship groups with different interests while at choir everyone gets along and enjoy working together on shared interests.

Robert: Choir is different from school as the atmosphere is very different. Choir is a very tight knit and inclusive community. The support and positivity that the other boys provide make rehearsals fun and exciting, which is much different to other schools’ music programs. I have learnt much more about singing and music than I would have at school. I also find that the singers in the Choir are more respectful, helpful and kinder than the students at school, and I have made many close friendships with them, which makes singing at Choir even more enjoyable.

What are you most looking forward to about being on the ‘Songs from Here and There’ tour?
Robert: I am really looking forward to the experience of being on tour. Due to the pandemic, I have not toured with Choir before, so I am very eager to be able to experience touring. I am excited for sightseeing, visiting new locations in regional Victoria, and being able to bring music to communities that don’t experience choral music much otherwise.

Frank: I am really looking forward to going on my first tour with the choir and singing in new locations with my friends. It is an incredible experience to be able to sing for people and brighten their day by sharing one of your interests or talents.

What's rewarding about singing in a choir?
Frank: Singing in a choir is a team effort and so it is a really great feeling to come out of a performance knowing that you have contributed to creating an incredible concert that will be remembered by your fellow singers and the audience.

Robert: I find the process of gradually working and polishing pieces at rehearsal very rewarding. The journey from getting repertoire at the start of the term, to performing in a concert, is something that makes Choir special to me.

Who are your favourite singers and why?
Robert: My favourite singer is Luciano Pavarotti, not only because of his extraordinary singing ability, but also because of his strong work ethic and determination to improve further despite his incredible skill and fame.

Frank: My favourite singer is Josh Piterman, who is a musical theatre and classical crossover artist because he is a good performer that is successful in more than one genre that I am interested in.

What about your hobbies and activities outside singing?
Robert: As well as singing, I enjoy other musical activities like playing musical instruments and listening to music. I play the violin and viola and play in orchestras both inside and outside of school. I find music a very relaxing and fun activity, so I try to make it a major part of my week. I also have a passion for reading and following chess and am interested in coding and computer science.

Frank: I am a passionate musician and outside of singing I play cello and piano as well as composing and arranging my own music. I am also a very keen actor and spend most of my time preparing for or performing different musicals and plays.

What do you hope to do with your singing after you move on from the Performing Squad?
Frank: I hope to continue singing with the ABCI in the Kelly Gang and then eventually sing as a member of The Vocal Consort. I also hope to gain further singing training to sing opera so that I can continue to perform in choirs as well as sing roles in operas and musicals.

Robert: I am very passionate about singing and will continue singing after I move on from the Performing Squad. I hope to be able to continue singing in the ABCI (in the Kelly Gang and the Vocal Consort), where I can continue to develop my skills and participate in other opportunities. I also hope to sing in other choirs, especially at school.

What is the most important thing you’ve learnt in the ABCI about being a singer?
Robert: While at the ABCI, I have learnt the importance of focus when singing, whether during rehearsal or during a concert. At rehearsals, Mr D always stresses how ‘going autopilot’ can cause mistakes we would never make if we were focused. At Choir, staying focused is key to make sure we make the best sound we can.

Frank: I have learnt fundamental singing technique that allows me to be the best singer I can be.

What advice do you have for boys hoping to make it to the rank of Chorister?
Frank: My advice is to keep trying your hardest and put in effort because that effort will pay off.

Robert: My advice would be to never back down or give up. The path to the Chorister rank is not easy, so it is vital to not be discouraged by failures or setbacks. Additionally, I would say to try your hardest, no matter how difficult the goal may seem. Only the most determined, committed and hardworking boys reach Chorister, so ensuring you reach your personal best is very important to succeed.

Click below to watch members of the ABCI Performing Squad in an excerpt from Dulcie Holland's 'Sailing Time' from the first concert of the ABCI's 2023 Concert Season.

Dulcie Holland: Sailing Time (2023) from Australian Boys Choir on Vimeo.