Jesse Spencer became a household name and received two Logie Award nominations playing Billy Kennedy in Neighbours. He has also worked extensively in the UK and USA in television, film and theatre.
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...
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.
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.
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!”
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.
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!