PERFORMING SQUAD SINGERS PASCAL & SAM

Pascal and Sam are Senior Singers of the Australian Boys Choral Institute. They are thrilled to be performing in the next program of the ABCI’s 85th anniversary concert season in 2024. ‘To Chase the Stars’ will be performed in September and October in Melbourne, Regional Victoria and on tour throughout the North Island of New Zealand. Please see www.australianboyschoir.com.au/whats-on/concerts for more information.

Pascal and Sam, when did you join the ABCI?
Sam: I joined the ABCI as a Probationer at the beginning of 2020 when I was in Year 2.

Pascal: I also joined the Choir in Term 1 during 2020. That makes it over four years now...

What do you enjoy most about coming to Choir?
Sam: I enjoy singing with my friends and I love the sound of the music we create when we harmonise. I also love going on camps and tours and spending time with the other Senior Singers.

Pascal: I love seeing my friends too. But also learning the repertoire while having fun!

How is choir different from school?
Sam: Choir is different from school because everyone at choir loves music and singing and is focused on making the songs sound amazing for performances.

Pascal: I feel that Choir is more organised than school and also more sensible. At school we’re like monkeys jumping around everywhere and we’re not like that at Choir.

What are you most looking forward to about the Choir’s upcoming tour to New Zealand?
Pascal: I am looking forward to going to New Zealand because I’ll get to see a country that I’ve never been to with my friends. I’m hoping to meet some New Zealanders who like choral music and listen to some of their traditional music too. I am watching the 'Lord of the Rings' series at the moment so I’m also looking forward to seeing some of the countryside that was in the movie.

Sam: I think travelling overseas is always an interesting learning opportunity to experience different cultures and the way things are done in different countries. It is an absolute privilege to be selected for the tour and I can't wait to sing lots of music with the Squad as well.

What's rewarding about singing in a choir?
Sam: When singing in a choir the most rewarding things are the special friends you make who have gone on the same musical journey with you and who share so much in common, the musical skills you learn and the amazing sound of the choir when all the parts come together for a performance.

Pascal: I find the relief when you finish a concert rewarding, especially the Christmas Concert, where you are performing to a packed audience in an outstanding venue.

What have been some favourite pieces you have performed with the ABCI?
Pascal: My favourites have been “Sailing Time” on the Victorian Regional Tour last year, “You Me and the Wide Open Sky” and “The Wanderer” by Dan Walker and the Bach Mass we did at last year's Christmas Concert.

Sam: I loved the repertoire from our Sing Joyfully concert last year. But there’s always something new that I like and right now I love singing the 'Three Australian Bush Songs' that we will be singing on tour (in particular the movement about birds).

Can you tell us a bit about your hobbies and activities outside singing?
Pascal: I love doing Taekwondo and have recently started doing competition training for regional fights. I also play the violin and started learning when I was 2 years old. I love playing sports with my friends, such as soccer, hockey, basketball and cricket.

Sam: When I’m not at choir I love playing tennis, cricket, mountain bike riding, playing the piano, listening to music, watching movies and reading.

What do you hope to do with your singing after you move on from the Performing Squad?
Sam: After I move on from Performing Squad I would love to be a member of the Kelly Gang, which is our choir for changed voices. I think it will be interesting to hear our different voices!

Pascal: I would also really love to join the Kelly Gang so I can stay with my friends.

What is the most important thing you’ve learnt in the ABCI about being a singer?
Pascal: Organisation is very important because we have to learn a lot of repertoire.

Sam: I’ve learnt that singing can have a big impact on the audience members' lives. It is so satisfying to see how much happiness our singing can bring other people.

Lastly, what advice do you have for boys hoping to make it to the rank of Senior Singer?
Sam: If you’re aiming to make it to the rank of Senior Singer, you need to work on your skills and don’t give up. It takes time to get to Senior Singers so don’t worry if it takes weeks or months to pass a skill. If you keep trying you’ll get there.

Pascal: Don’t give up even if you get stuck on echo clapping! Everyone takes a different amount of time to reach the Squad.