MOTHER & SON: SUBA & JEEVANTHA
2 October 2025
MOTHER & SON: CASS & MAX
2 October 2025
FATHER / SON INTERVIEW: PARENT SIDDHARTHA & JUNIOR SINGER SUYASH
Photo by Pat Charles
Siddhartha and his Junior Singer son Suyash are members of the Australian Boys Choir community. In this interview, they share some perspectives on their time so far with the Australian Boys Choral Institute and talk a little but about the Choir journey. Please see www.australianboyschoir.com.au/whats-on for more about the ABCI.
Suyash, when did you join the ABCI?
I joined ABCI when I was eight years old in 2022.
What do you enjoy most about coming to Choir?
The things I enjoy the most are learning new skills, learning new songs, and connecting with friends.
What have been some favourite pieces you have performed with the ABCI?
I really loved singing the Invention of Printing, March, The Wanderer and It’s in my desk, as it was really fun to sing and hooked in the audience to enjoy it with us.
Can you tell us a bit about your hobbies and activities outside singing?
I really enjoy my sports, in particular squad swimming, mountain bike riding and soccer. I also enjoy playing piano and have also just started learning the guitar.
What are the older boys like outside rehearsals?
I see the older boys as role models. They are well behaved and well mannered. I often see them sing together even on their breaks and see how much they still enjoy it. They are fun to be around and often answer any questions I sometimes have. They can also be humours at times and also play games so overall they are really well rounded people.
Lastly, what advice do you have for boys hoping to make it to the rank of Senior Singer?
Practice. Listen to all of your tutors and teachers and have lots of fun making friends, singing amazing songs and participating in wonderful concerts.
Sid, how did your family come to be part of the ABCI?
We first found out about ABCI through the boy’s primary school. Someone came and spoke about the ABCI and both of our boys were very keen to try out and eventually join the choir. Covid hit soon after and we ended up auditioning online, and then transitioned eventually in person classes.
How have you found Choir to be different from school?
The skills and musical knowledge taught by the ABCI are far beyond the levels taught at school. The opportunity to then practise and utilise these skills in concerts reinforces this further. The ABCI also teaches young people about discipline, responsibility and teamwork at levels not always seen at school. The opportunity to go away for weekend workshops, Summer camp and then to tour builds resilience and invaluable life skills.
Does your family have a musical background?
My musical background is limited having played a couple instruments in high school but with no singing experience. My wife’s family is more musical and is littered with excellent singers, mainly in Indian classical music. Music is an important part of our family, with all three of our kids playing multiple musical instruments and singing in choirs.
What have been the most beneficial aspects of persuing an ABCI education in your view?
Aside from the exemplary musical skills and knowledge, other benefits include the camaraderie between the boys as they transition through the training and performing squads, and the life skills they learn such as organisation, discipline and resilience.
What’s been the most memorable Institute concert you have experienced so far and why?
So far, the most memorable performance for me has been Bach’s St Mark’s Passion earlier this year. The sophistication and quality of performance was amazing. The significance of this achievement by a boys' choir should not be under appreciated. It was truly amazing and a remarkable experience.
What advice would you give to new families, or those looking to join the Choir?
While the commitment may seem substantial, the rewards from developing musical knowledge and skill, the amazing performances throughout the years and wonderful relationships the boys develop are more than worth all of the hard work.
Click below to watch the highlights reel from the ABCI's 2025 performance of J.S. Bach's lost lost St Mark Passion. This work was reconstructed by Dutch musicologist Robert Koolstra and viewed by music lovers around the world via Australian Digital Concert Hall. We were joined by Genesis Baroque on period instruments for this performance, which was conducted by ABCI artistic director. Our singers were also joined by soloists Rachael Joyce, Heather Fletcher, Timothy Reynolds and Jeremy Kleeman. Footage courtesy of Australian Digital Concert Hall.