A LIFE IN MUSIC

As a small boy, Raphael Wong would attend church with his parents, observing his father in the band and his mother singing in the choir. This early exposure ensured that, when the ABCI visited Raphael’s school in 1997, he was one of the first to offer up his fledgling vocal stylings. “They asked all of the boys to stand and sing the national anthem, or maybe it was Happy Birthday…I’ll be forever grateful to my school for allowing them to come and visit.”

He retains fond memories of the Choir’s AmericaFest tour in the year 2000. It was his first overseas journey without his parents and it proved significant. “It showed me that a lot of other boys and men from all over the world sang just like me! The big concerts in St. John's Abbey at the University in Minnesota were unreal. There were choirs that wore traditional robes, to choirs that wore cowboy hats and had lassoes. I felt like a special cog, doing our bit to represent Australia in this awesome choral machine.”

Raphael’s involvement with music and performance has continued to grow, and a career highlight has been performing as a finalist in the Herald Sun Aria competition. “It’s a thrill to sing in front of 2000 people, with Orchestra Victoria behind you and it's nothing but them and your voice to fill the vast space of Hamer Hall.”

He now works in opera and music theatre, but also as an educator. “I still teach singing and choir, and nothing beats teaching your students something new and seeing them burst with excitement.” During his time at the ABCI, Raphael worked as a tutor and recalls the honour of passing on what he had learned to new Choir members. “Being able to come full circle and teach these boys is so satisfying,” he says. “Some of the first group of boys I taught are now fully-fledged musicians which is so good to see. I recently had a former student direct a show I was in. I definitely felt old then!”

The friendships Raphael made through his time with the ABCI endure, and a group of former members get together at least once a year. “It's crazy to think some of us have known each other for over 20 years already.”

He recently made the most significant role debut of his life, that of father to his son Theodore. “I can’t wait to share my passions with him,” says Raphael, chief among them his love for music.

The cathartic and transformative qualities of song have kept him engaged over the journey: “Singing can be an escape. You can have a great day, or a terrible one. But the moment you sing, something changes. It makes me feel whole again.”

For Raph, an involvement with choral music has offered a unique experience. “Singing with a choir taught me the importance of the ensemble. Listening to each other, breathing together, and understanding that you are part of something bigger. If you work as one, you will create something special and unique in that moment.”

For more, you can visit Raph's official website by clicking here.