Austinato Magazine – Page 3 – Australian Boys Choir

14 June 2021

REMEMBERING LOUISE PHILLIPS (1966-2021)

Louise Phillips played several roles at the Australian Boys Choir: mother to singers Chris and Joel, Camp Leader on numerous Summer Music Schools, official archivist and touchpoint for Old Boys and Alumni, volunteer office administrator, Project Leader for the 70th and 75th Anniversary Celebrations, and finally General Manager in her only paid position at the ABCI. There was not much that happened around Choir House without Louise’s knowledge and input.

11 November 2021

FROM THE CHAIR

'I am an optimist. It does not seem too much use being anything else.’ – Winston Churchill
While it feels like we have spent most of this year in lockdowns and rehearsing online, we were lucky enough to have two great concerts in the first half of the year, which is more than we achieved for the whole of the COVID-19 affected 2020!

11 November 2021

FOR THE LOVE OF VOLUNTEERING

Deb Damman’s outstanding contribution to the Choir over many years sees her named as the inaugural recipient of the Elwynne Stafford Award for volunteers in 2021. The accolade is named for Honorary Life Member and ABCI volunteer, Elwynne Stafford, who influenced a generation of singers.

11 November 2021

CHANGING VOICES: THE JOURNEY FORWARD

Probationers become Tyros, Tyros graduate to become Junior Singers and Senior Singers, and Performing Squad members keen to grow their leadership might just achieve the coveted rank of Chorister. And, of course, the vocal gift that brought boys to ABCI in the first place proliferates as they transform into young men.

11 November 2021

SOLFÈGE AND SORCERY

The ABCI uses ‘moveable doh’ solfège, combined with the corresponding hand-signs, both of which are key to learning in a Kodály-inspired environment.

11 November 2021

COLLABORATIVE ENCOUNTERS

Embarking upon a new collaboration with the Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra (ARCO) in 2022, the Institute will present a program titled Austrian Encounters which will see vocal and orchestral colours swirling and mingling to make spirits soar for both performer and listener alike.

11 November 2021

CONCERT REVIEW: REQUIEM FOR AN EMPRESS

Admongst the uncertainty and turmoil of 2021, the ABCI managed to deliver a stunning paean to hope and beauty in the mesmerising performance, Requiem for an Empress. The performance comprised a single, 65-minute work, the Officium Defunctorum of 1605 by celebrated Spanish Renaissance composer, Tomás Luís de Victoria.

11 June 2022

FROM THE CHAIR

The start of 2022 has been a great success for the Australian Boys Choral Institute. We have had an uninterrupted term of rehearsals, two concerts, and an Installations ceremony celebrating the achievements of our boys and young men with promotions to the next level of the Choir.

11 June 2022

THE SOUND OF COLLABORATION

The ABCI is incredibly fortunate to enjoy an ongoing collaboration with SAE Creative Media Institute. Choir parent Gareth Parton, SAE’s Audio Department Co-ordinator, brokered the collaboration to impart ‘real world’ learning opportunities for SAE students while generating invaluable archival recordings of ABCI performances.