Information current as at JULY 2023

Jenny Zuiderwyk, Secretary, 0438 358 032

Choir's Email Address: cranbournechorale@gmail.com

Choir's Website: cranbournechorale.com.au ; also on Facebook

Vision statement / Artistic goals: To provide a relaxed and enjoyable choral experience in rehearsal, and a quality product in performance

Voice type: SATB

Choir performs: Both unaccompanied & accompanied

Year Choir formed: 1992

No. of Singing Members - Currently: 35 Desired: no limit

Musical Repertoire: Popular music, spirituals, ballads, sacred music, songs from Musical Theatre

Musical Director: Lucas De Jong

No. of years in current post: since 2019

Previous musical experience: Lucas De Jong has been the Music Director of the Melbourne Welsh Male Choir, Melbourne Male Choir and conductor of Singularity Choir; his choral experience began at the age of 10 when he joined a boys choir, and soon after that he made his debut as a soloist in the Australian Opera; while studying at the Melba Conservatorium and the Victorian College of the Arts he was also performing in the chorus for Victoria State Opera; in the early 1990s Lucas began his career as an operatic baritone soloist in England and continued to tour the world, performing over forty roles; Lucas has been a teacher of classical voice at Monash University, the Australian Catholic University and in his own studio while continuing his operatic career; he studied conducting with John Hopkins, conducting performances of "The Magic Flute" and "Orpheus in the Underworld" for Monash University

Choir's past collaborations with other musical groups: Berwick Youth Choir, Liederkranz, Dutch Male Choir, Australian Welsh Male Choir, Bats Theatre Group, More Than Opera, Cranbourne Lions Concert Band

Audition: No, but there is a voice test to determine placement within the choir

Minimum Attendance policy - Rehearsals: No Concerts: Yes

Membership Fees: $65 per quarter

Ability to read music: Desirable but not necessary

Sight-reading ability: Not necessary

Av. No. of rehearsals/week: 1

Usual rehearsal night(s): Wednesday

Suburb: Cranbourne

Rehearsal venue: The Factory, Rehearsal Centre for the Arts, 65 Berwick-Cranbourne Rd

Off-street parking: Yes

Performance Apparel: Ladies - Black trousers, skirt or dress, black stockings, black long sleeve top, black shoes, blue choir scarf; Gents - Black trousers, black shirt and jacket, blue choir tie

Av. No. of Concert Programs/year: 1

Av. No. of Performances/year: 12-16

Sample of the Choir's past Concert Venues: Bunjil Place (Narre Warren, performed at the Opening Ceremony), Hamer Hall, Cranbourne College, Malthouse Theatre, Melbourne, various local Christmas events (Carols by Candlelight)

Examples of musical pieces performed: Saints Go Marching In (Rutter), Deep River, Rock My Soul, Chindia, Ave Maria/I Believe, Go Tell It On The Mountain, Coventry Carol, On Eagles Wings, Song of the Mira, Ave Verum, Lachrimosa; in 2017, joined with More than Opera to perform "Peace: Cantata for Sir John Monash" (David Kramm); in 2023, sang the Victorian Premier of "Eternal Light" (Howard Goodall)

Touring: Yes - Melbourne Metro Area, Regional Victoria, Overseas - in 2010, the choir undertook a major concert tour in China

Administration / Governance arrangements for the Choir: A Committee comprises President, Vice President Secretary, Treasurer, 4 Ordinary Members

Own collection of music scores: Yes

Available for hire to other groups: No