VOCAL CONSORT SINGER TIM

Timothy Mallis is an alumnus of the Australian Boys Choir and is currently a member of The Vocal Consort and the Australian Boys Choral Institute staff. He is thrilled to be performing in the final instalment of the ABCI concert season for 2023, ‘Sing of Christmas’ on December 10 at the prestigious Melbourne Recital Centre alongside the Melbourne Baroque Orchestra. Tim’s talents as a composer will also see him receive a world premiere at this year’s concert. See www.australianboyschoir.com.au/whats-on/concerts for more information.

Tim, when did you join the ABCI?
I joined as a Probationer in 2003 and became a member of the Music Staff in 2013. Amazing to celebrate another year ending in a ‘3’ with the ABCI!

What are you most looking forward to about this year's final concert?
While I am excited to hear my own work performed by The Vocal Consort, I am most looking forward to seeing our wonderful Tyros on stage. This will be the first Christmas concert for most of our Tyro cohort who are working hard to give their best performance.

What can the audience expect from this performance?
Of all the ABCI’s performances this year, I think P.T. Barnum’s famous ‘we have something for everybody’ catchphrase most aptly applies to this performance. Join us in singing your favourite carols, be spellbound by the orchestral soundscape of Bach, and bathe in the rich harmonies of The Vocal Consort.

What are the key things you learned when you joined the ABCI?
If you were present at our most recent Installations ceremony, you may recall that our singers are entrusted to wear their uniform with pride as part of a long and proud tradition. Joining the ABCI made me realise that I was part of an immensely special organisation that gave me the guidance and the resources to become the musician I am today.

Why did you choose to join The Vocal Consort and why do you continue to sing with them?
There is a very clear sense of progression within the ABCI with The Vocal Consort at the peak of the organisation. As a Tyro, I felt that the ultimate goal was to join this brilliant group of singers. To this day, I feel very strongly that there is an intrinsic sense of community and continuity across the ABCI to keep our singers doing what they do best. I am proud to be a small part of that tradition.

What’s rewarding about composing choral music?
Writing for choirs grants a composer a unique medium in which one can express a unified yet diverse voice with a powerful, ubiquitously human connection. As a singer myself, it is extremely rewarding to explore this connection with my colleagues and discover new ways of heightening poetry with music.

What have been your favourite concerts to perform in as a singer at the ABCI?
Christmas concerts have always been a highlight of the year for me. Seeing everyone come together for one last hurrah for the year is a wonderful celebration of past achievements and adventures to come.

What are The Vocal Consort like behind-the-scenes? Fun to be around or very serious?
We are a surprisingly relaxed group of friends who all happen to be united by our connection to the ABCI. We generally hang out after rehearsals and love to reminisce about our years in the Choir.

What do you do when you’re not performing or composing or teaching?
I love to cook and spend time with my family and friends. So much of my life is intertwined with music so my time with friends often ends up with music-making!

Finally, what advice would you give to boys in the Choir now – and those hoping to join?
You will be amazed at how far a little extra practice of your skills will go. Keep feeding your passion for singing by putting in the best effort you can!

Click below to watch members of the ABCI in an excerpt from our August 2023 concert 'Sing Joyfully' at St. Patrick's Cathedral