CHANGING VOICES: THE JOURNEY FORWARD

Change is life’s only constant and it certainly applies to the Australian Boys Choral Institute. 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.

At the ABCI, voices don’t ‘break’, they simply change. It might be semantics, but framing this stage as positively as possible makes a big difference. It’s all part of a boy’s life and an important phase in their development. It means that their involvement at Choir alters, but doesn’t have to end.

The Cambiata training group and the Kelly Gang (named in honour of Choir founder Vincent J. Kelly) are groups for teenagers within the ABCI whose voices have begun to change and who have chosen to continue their vocal and choral interests. Kelly Gang membership is by invitation/audition and normally requires qualification at Chorister level. In both groups, the focus is on training rather than performance, with an emphasis on vocal technique, especially learning to cope with the “new instrument”.

So how do singers react to it? ‘It can feel quite daunting initially when your voice changes,’ says Josh, who is currently a member of the Kelly Gang. ‘You have to start training your new voice all over again.’

Luckily though, Josh’s voice change took place relatively quickly. He recalls mixed emotions making the move to Sunday afternoons to sing with new – but mostly familiar – faces. Now, he is also completing VCE music while continuing to sing with Kelly Gang.

‘I feel a sense of satisfaction having completed each step of the ABCI training and journey,’ Josh says, adding that he hopes to study music at Melbourne or Monash University. ‘The ABCI has built an amazing musical base for me. Without my Choir training, I would never have been able to achieve all I have, or even think about pursuing a career in music.’

Recently departed Chorister Ethan has just moved from the Performing Squad to the Kelly Gang. He also remembers the onset of his voice change as an interesting time.

‘I had experienced so many amazing years of singing with the Performing Squad at their incredible standard...and, more importantly, I’d found so many incredible friends,’ he says. ‘But, on the other side, I was truly ecstatic to experience this new part of my voice, and I adapted quickly to the new range and really liked it.’

Ethan says his voice change opened up new possibilities, musically and in terms of his Choir experience. ‘I started to uncover the true gems that all the different parts of the Choir bring together,’ he says, adding that just before his voice change began he had been moved down a part to Second Soprano. ‘I remember jumping with joy! I didn’t spend long there though; after only a term I moved down to Second Alto. It was at this point I knew my voice change had truly begun.’

Voice change means needing to leave the Performing Squad, and Ethan says he felt strange knowing he would never be at another Friday or Monday rehearsal. ‘[But] I’m incredibly happy to be a part of the Kelly Gang. So far, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed exploring and singing with my new lower range, and can’t wait to see where my voice is when it fully settles down.’

Thankfully there is a path forward for boys at the ABCI, which doesn’t exist in all choirs. Josh also says that voices eventually do settle, but it happens at a different pace for each singer. His advice for boys is not to let it cause stress. ‘Give it time and enjoy your next journey in the Kelly Gang or Cambiata.’

Ethan believes boys should embrace their voice change because, after all, it is inevitable. ‘If you’re feeling hesitant and even a little scared about such a big change, I highly encourage you to reflect upon all those times you’ve listened to the changed voices and remember those incredible performances,’ he says, adding that it all means a fresh start.

‘You have all your experience. You get to enjoy this rich new sound, while feeling confident, thanks to your years of training.’