Information current as at FEBRUARY 2013

Choir's Email Address: info@msgchoir.com.au

Choir's Website: msgchoir.com.au

Vision statement / Artistic goals:Melbourne Singers of Gospel performs songs of soul and purpose in the Gospel and Motown tradition with funky, foot-stomping energy and jazz-blues accompaniment

Voice type: SATB

Choir performs: Mostly accompanied, sometimes with a band, occasionally unaccompanied

Year Choir formed: 2000

No. of Singing Members - Currently: 90 Desired: 100

Musical Repertoire: Soul, Gospel, Spirituals (but stretching as far as Funk, Rock and Pop)

Musical Director: Darren Wicks

No. of years in current post: since 2008

Previous musical experience: Darren Wicks has been teaching music since the early 1990s and has firmly established himself as a leader in the field; his teaching experience encompasses all age groups (from infant to adult) and a variety of contexts (studio, classroom, workshops and conferences); studies include jazz piano and education at the University of Melbourne, a Master of Music Education from Monash University, and he is a graduate of the Brisbane Summer Kodály Institute; he has completed two study tours to the USA where he worked with several noted voice scientists, gospel choirs and jazz artists; Darren is currently completing PhD studies in voice pedagogy; he is the author of a number of publications on music education and regularly presents at teacher training workshops and conferences

Choir's past collaborations with other musical groups: 2012 music collaborators have been Low Rez Melbourne Male Pop Choir, Chiara Passarini

Audition: No, but for solos - yes

Minimum Attendance policy - Rehearsals: Yes - 80% Concerts: Yes - 80%

Membership Fees: $125/$100 conc. per term (8-10 rehearsals)

Ability to read music: Desirable but not necessary

Sight-reading ability: Desirable but not necessary

Av. No. of rehearsals/week: 1

Usual rehearsal night(s): Tuesday (and some Thursdays close to performance time)

Suburb: Port Melbourne

Rehearsal venue: Uniting Church

Off-street parking: No

Performance Apparel: Formal black with accessories to suit performance

Av. No. of Concert Programs/year: Repertoire of 20-30 songs

Av. No. of Performances/year: 8-12

Sample of the Choir's past Concert Venues: St Kilda Town Hall, Northcote Town Hall, Stones of the Yarra Valley, Port Fairy, Rutherglen, Federation Hall Hobart, radio work

Examples of musical pieces performed: Don't Stop Believing, Go Down Moses, Great Day, Loves Me Like a Rock, I Can Go to God in Prayer, Precious Lord take My Hand, Fire and Rain, Bridge Over Troubled Water, Hallelujah I just Love Her So, Stand By Me, Reach Out/I'll Be There, You Can't Hurry Love, Lean on Me, Higher Ground, Respect, Higher and Higher, Ain't No Mountain High Enough

Touring: Yes - Melbourne Metro Area/Regional Victoria

Administration / Governance arrangements for the Choir: Incorporated Association, Management Committee elected annually, Director and Accompanist are contracted by the committee

Types of Committees: As above, with volunteers for social activities, rehearsal support, promotion, projects; some volunteering is expected from all members, external volunteers used as well

Own collection of music scores: Yes

Available for hire to other groups: Yes

Hiring fees apply: To be negotiated