MEET THE NEWEST ABCI LEADERS

Over the years, the Australian Boys Choral Institute has always sought to give its members something to aspire to. From the Institute’s exceptional music education to the opportunities provided to perform and travel, the Australian Boys Choir sees young singers supported to develop their skills and maturity over time.

The training program is set up in such a way as to enable each boy to progress through the training levels of the Australian Boys Choir at their own rate, gaining not only musical knowledge, but also growing in confidence and personal independence. From Probationer to Tyro, Junior Singer to Senior Singer, the training continues to the highest level of Chorister. Two further special ranks acknowledge outstanding effort by Choristers: that of Choir Leader and the rarely awarded Head Chorister badge, presented in exceptional circumstances.

Pleasingly, two new Choir Leaders were installed in April: George Stirling and Tom Padula.

George reflects, ‘When Mr D sat Tom and I down and told us he wanted to install us as Leaders, I was surprised; I had never thought of myself as a Leader and I had always looked up to other ABC Leaders in the choir such as Josh Vass, Cameron Gilchrist and Jimmy Hilton - Leaders who really had been outstanding in every way. I thought about Mr D’s proposal for a second and realised the baton was now being passed to me.’

Leaders distinguish themselves across the board, thoroughly embodying the ethos of the ABCI as an organisation and working to uphold its values. Tom says, ‘I am thrilled and honoured to become a Choir Leader. I feel extremely proud of myself for achieving this and am very happy to share the position with George.’

Both George and Tom joined the Choir at the same time, in 2016, and both noticed an immediate sense of community and inclusivity within the Choir. Tom says, ‘It was instantly a welcoming environment and I felt like I fitted in. Not only has Choir dramatically improved my musical skills, it has also developed my social and leadership skills. I have had lots of opportunities to increase my confidence and I have been able to practise being a leader, which has helped with my leadership outside of Choir.’

George, too, says the Choir has helped him to become a more confident person, ‘Choir has been hugely beneficial. I can’t quite imagine my life without it.’

George goes on to say, ‘My favourite thing about being a Choir Leader is the opportunity to inspire younger boys. Everyone has had someone who inspired them to continue with the Choir. For me, that was Josh Vass. Every time, I saw Josh, whether I was a Tyro, a Junior, or a Squad member, he would meet my timid glance with a welcoming smile. He sang beautifully and he always knew the answers to Mr D’s curlier musical questions.’

George and Tom now take the baton, to inspire other young boys to reach their potential.

Tom says, ‘My favourite thing about being a Choir Leader is my ability to help and support my fellow choir mates.’

The training the Australian Boys Choir provides truly goes beyond the musical. The ABCI is empowering the next generation of young men to put their best foot forward, not only as members of the Choir, but ultimately as active contributors and leaders regardless of their chosen future field. George says, ‘The training we boys have received has been unsurpassed — it really is world class.’

With his choral training, George has enjoyed the opportunity to perform with Opera Australia, as well featuring on the ABC’s 7:30 program. ‘I saw Raphael Wong in Phantom of the Opera recently,’ says George, ‘and it was pretty astonishing to see somebody who had trained as we have with the Choir, up there on the stage of the State Theatre with Opera Australia. For me, it is amazing to be part of something that has been training boys for so long.’