Information current as at MARCH 2014

(03) 9866 4434 (BH)

Choir's Email Address: music@ccsy.org.au

Choir's Website: www.ccsy.org.au/choir

Vision statement / Artistic goals: To provide excellence and sensitivity in the training of choir members, thereby providing music of the highest standard for the musical life (both liturgical and otherwise) of the Parish

Voice type: SATB

Choir performs: Both accompanied & unaccompanied

Year Choir formed: 1870

No. of Singing Members - Currently: 25 Desired: 25-30

Musical Repertoire: Repertoire ranges from various types of chant to newly composed/commissioned works

Musical Director: Michael Fulcher

No. of years in current post: since 2013

Previous musical experience: Michael was Cathedral Organist at St John's Cathedral Brisbane; he also worked as a vocal coach at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University and the University of Queensland School of Music, and privately; in 2012 Michael conducted the Machin Opera scenes in a programme of Mozart excerpts in the Conservatorium Theatre and was guest vocal coach at the Lisa Gasteen National Opera School; Michael is the President of the National Council of the Australian National Choral Association (ANCA); after completing his BMus in Organ Performance at the University of Queensland, he studied with the late David Sanger in London, and studied orchestral conducting with John Curro (QYO), David Porcelijn (ABC Young Conductors Mastercourse), Robert Rosen (Opera Australia), and Sir Charles Mackerras and Sir Mark Elder in the UK; in 1997 Michael studied conducting and vocal coaching in London, working for 3 years in Janice Chapman’s international singing studio; in Milan in 2000 he studied Italian language; he completed the blue ribbon Repetiteur’s programme at the Guildhall School of Music in London in 2001; in Paris 2002-2004 he worked as a repetiteur and accompanist; Michael has conducted productions for Victorian State Opera, Opera Queensland, Brisbane Festival, the Guildhall School of Music (London), Victorian College of the Arts, and the Queensland Conservatorium Opera School;in 2004 Michael was appointed Organist and Director of Music at Wellington Cathedral of St Paul and Music Director of the Wellington Orpheus Choir; in 2008 he toured the Wellington Cathedral Choir to England and Paris, singing at venues including Westminster Abbey, Westminster Cathedral, St John’s College Cambridge and Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris; in 2010, Michael prepared the massed choirs for a performance of Mahler’s Eighth Symphony for a NZ International Arts Festival, conducted by Vladimir Ashkenazy; as an organist Michael has given recitals at the town halls of Wellington, Dunedin and Brisbane, in the Anglican cathedrals of Brisbane, Melbourne, Wellington, Auckland and Dunedin, and in the churches of St George's and La Madeleine in Paris

Choir's past collaborations with other musical groups: The Choir of Trinity College, The Choir of Queen's College, The Tudor Choristers, Accademia Arcadia, Choral Festivals with RSCM and other Parish Choirs

Audition: Yes - Brief audition focuses on inherent musical abilities, solo songs not required

Minimum Attendance policy - Rehearsals: No Concerts: No

Membership Fees: None

Ability to read music: Highly desirable

Sight-reading ability: Desirable

Av. No. of rehearsals/week: 1

Usual rehearsal night(s): Thursday

Suburb: South Yarra

Rehearsal venue: Christ Church

Off-street parking: Yes

Performance Apparel: Academic Gowns during services

Av. No. of Concert Programs/year: All music for church services is individually programmed

Av. No. of Performances/year: 50 services, 3 concerts

Sample of the Choir's past Concert Venues: St Paul's Cathedral (Melbourne), Trinity College Chapel, mostly services held at Christ Church

Examples of musical pieces performed: Requiem (Maurice Durufle), Berliner Messe (Arvo Part), Missa Aedes Christi (commissioned from Christopher Willcock)

Touring: Yes - Regional Victoria

Administration / Governance arrangements for the Choir: The Choir is managed by the Director of Music in consultation with the hierarchical structure of the Parish

Types of Committees: n/a

Own collection of music scores: Yes

Available for hire to other groups: Yes

Hiring fees apply: Yes