behind the decades – Page 3 – Australian Boys Choir

17 August 2020

STUART SPEIRS

Mum heard me singing around the house and thought I held a tune pretty well. So she took me to an audition. I whinged at first. Thank goodness she insisted. Should have listened to Mum about how important piano lessons were, too, in hindsight...

17 August 2020

ANDREW FURZE

In high school I learnt bass and taught myself guitar, playing in bands around Melbourne. I found the theory grounding from the ABC made it much easier to pick up new instruments. I studied Music at Monash Uni, but rock and pop had taken over from classical music as my passion and I spent the remainder of my teens on band tours.

24 August 2020

TIM MATTHEWS-STAINDL

Tim Matthews-Staindl is a rare, living example of virtually the full gamut of the ABCI. His career with the Institute has been long, varied and illustrious.

24 August 2020

THE ROPER FAMILY

Amazing journeys often have humble beginnings. “When I dug out a letter from the bottom of James’ school bag, inviting him to audition with the Australian Boys Choir, we didn’t know he could sing,” said his mum, Lynn. “But we decided it was worth a go!”

24 August 2020

JEM HERBERT

When love is involved, distance is no object. And Jem really loves the Choir. Twice a week, he catches a three hour bus from Mansfield to Melbourne to attend rehearsals, and has been doing this since 2010.

24 August 2020

ALEX RITTER

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.

24 August 2020

LYNETTE CLARKSON

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.

7 September 2020

WINIFRED EVERETT

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!

7 September 2020

PAT McCAFFREY

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.