When Alex Ritter became the fourth Head Chorister of the Australian Boys Choir in 2011, he says, “I was shocked but also thrilled to be awarded this position”. It was the culmination of a journey that had begun 6 years earlier.
Lynette Clarkson’s legacy to the Choir is still on glorious display today – more than eighteen years after her death. A fine seamstress, Lyn became wardrobe mistress extraordinaire and oversaw the introduction and personally made many of the robes and reds the boys wear.
Known to countless choir boys as “Miss Ev” , Win Everett was the first woman to be part of the Australian Boys Choral Institute. She served as secretary and administrator, matron, carer, friend and “second Mum” for more than 25 years.
“My most constant task is keeping their stage robes in good order. I no sooner fit one of them with a robe than it has to be let down again, or out. The boys grow so quickly”. A sentiment any of the Choir’s wardrobe staff would appreciate!
Pat McCaffrey. This name might not mean a lot to new choir families. However, the Choir would not be what it is today if it weren’t for his tremendous contribution. The PR McCaffrey Award is awarded annually to a boy who has shown exceptional promise while in training. His legacy endures.
In October 1998, the Academy Award Nominated film Elizabeth was released much to the excitement of the Australian Boys Choir boys. Only four months earlier a small group of the boys had been asked to learn and record some music for the soundtrack.
An enduring mystery gaining legendary status in the choir’s history is the operetta Kattaya – The Cunning One, written for the Australian Boys Choir by Australian composer, Eric Austin Phillips. Based on a Sri Lankan folk tale, the production and performance forged strong memories in the minds of all involved.
How times and technology have changed. Current choir members may not know what a “record” is, nor recognise the terms “vinyl” or “LP”. Even their parents may not have heard the terms “shellac” or “78”.
Looking through the list of the ten most performed songs, today’s audiences may not recognise many. The choir’s repertoire has changed significantly over the years. The following list was catalogued during the Choir' 75th anniversary year.
You’d expect the Australian Boys Choir to sing a lot of Australian music, wouldn’t you? But that was not how it was in the beginning. At last we can confidently call ourselves the Australian Boys Choir.