CONSORT SINGER JACK JORDAN

Jack Jordan is an alumnus of the Australian Boys Choir and is currently a member of The Vocal Consort. Jack will perform with Consort as part of the Australian Boys Choral Institute 2023 Season Opening Gala ‘Songs for the Open Road’ on March 19 at Deakin Edge the Performing Squad and Training Choirs of the ABCI.

Jack, you’ve recently returned to sing with The Vocal Consort after a little break. Why did you choose to come back?
I chose to come back because I really missed choral singing! Last year I was completing my graduate diploma in Opera Performance at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music and could not fully commit to the The Vocal Consort . This year I’m pleased to be back singing with an astonishing group of musicians. It is not so often you get to be a part of such a constant, committed and talented group of singers.

What are you most looking forward to about 'Songs for the Open Road' at Deakin Edge?
I am particularly looking forward to performing Sarah Hopkins’ ‘Past Life Melodies'. Deakin Edge is an inspiring and beautifully designed venue that seems a fitting space for this work. The Edge's most attractive feature is that it overlooks the Birrarung. I think this will serve as an excellent backdrop to the concert and in recognising the songs sung by First Nations people on the same land for over 60,000 years. 'Past Life Melodies' is a monumental and magnetic piece of music that will encourage the singers and the audience to appreciate this fact.

What can the audience expect from this performance?
Singers across the institute have been working very hard to bring this concert to life. We have a great lineup of old and new favourites that will leave people feeling nostalgic and inspired.

What are the key things you learnt when you joined the ABCI?
The main thing is the joy of learning. Every week that I came to rehearsal, I learned something new, whether it be about music, my peers or myself. I think we are much more capable than we like to let on and the ABCI helps you realise that. I still get excited about what I will learn each week I come to a TVC rehearsal!

What's rewarding about singing choral music?
It is particularly rewarding to work with others to create something bigger than yourself. The process is fantastic but to see it all come together at the end is pretty special.

What have been your favourite concerts or pieces to perform?
My favourite concert that I performed with the choir was the first one I did when I joined the squad. We performed Ian Cugley’s ‘Sea Changes’, a rarely performed operetta for children. We performed this piece in Melba Hall, where I would go on to spend a lot of time for University music lectures. I remember having a thick score dropped in my lap in the first rehearsal and thinking, ‘how on earth am I going to learn all of this?!' Rest assured, I did learn it all and it turned out to be a great concert with costumes and all, certainly cementing my love for performance.

What is the Vocal Consort like behind-the-scenes?
Serious when we need to be but always a hell of a lot of fun.

Who are your favourite singers and why?
Tom Waits & Gérard Souzay. They are both wonderful expressers in their own ways.

Finally, what advice would you give to boys in the Choir now – and those hoping to join?
Always be curious and you’ll always keep learning! That is what was passed on to me and I hope to you as well!