Information current as at AUGUST 2016

Rhys Arvidson, Musical Director, (03) 9639 4560 (BH)

Choir's Email Address: rhys.arvidson@blessedsacrament.com.au

Choir's Website: www.stfrancismelbourne.com/youth-choir/; also www.facebook.com/stfrancisyouthchoir

Vision statement / Artistic goals: To provide musical leadership for the 6pm Mass at St Francis' Church each first Sunday of the month from March – December; to provide opportunities for young people, including international students, to develop their singing and liturgical music experience in a friendly, supportive environment; to provide social activities for the group

Voice type: SATB

Choir performs: Both accompanied & unaccompanied

Year Choir formed: 2006

No. of Singing Members - Currently: 30 Desired: 34-36

Musical Repertoire: The choir sings a varied selection of liturgical music both traditional and contemporary; for concert performances they also perform secular music including jazz and pop

Musical Director: Rhys Arvidson

No. of years in current post: since 2013

Previous musical experience: Rhys Arvidson completed his Bachelor of Music at the University of Newcastle Conservatorium majoring in Pipe Organ performance; during this time he served as an Organ Scholar at Christchurch Cathedral, Newcastle and sang in the Cathedral Choir; in addition to accompanying the Cathedral Choir, Rhys was Accompanist for the Conservatorium Choir, the University Choir, and was a member of the award-winning University of Newcastle Chamber Choir; after relocating to Melbourne in 2008, Rhys has been busy as a church organist, choral accompanist, chorister and instrumental teacher; he was a member of the St Patrick's Cathedral Singers 2008-09; Rhys has been an organist at St Francis' church since 2008 and was accompanist for the St Francis Youth Choir 2011-13; in 2013 Rhys became Director following the retirement of Marilyn Brown

Choir's past collaborations with other musical groups: St Francis' Choir, The Julian Singers, All Saints Youth Choir (Fitzroy), Melbourne Samoan Choir, ACU Student Choir

Audition: Yes - basic pitch-matching, etc

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

Membership Fees: $20 p.a.

Ability to read music: Desirable

Sight-reading ability: Desirable

Av. No. of rehearsals/week: 1

Usual rehearsal night(s): Wednesday

Suburb: Melbourne CBD

Rehearsal venue: St Francis' Church Monastery Hall, 326 Lonsdale St (access via Little Lonsdale St)

Off-street parking: Yes

Performance Apparel: All black, Women - a blue scarf (provided), Men - a blue tie (provided)

Av. No. of Concert Programs/year: 12

Av. No. of Performances/year: 12

Sample of the Choir's past Concert Venues: 'Seasons of Love' Charity Concert (2015), Sacred Music Appreciation Night, All Saints (Fitzroy, annually), various Masses

Examples of musical pieces performed: Mass settings by Willcock, Proulx, Jenkins and Buc; pieces by Chilcott, Stopford, Rutter, Lauridsen

Touring: Yes - Melbourne Metro Area/Regional Victoria

Administration / Governance arrangements for the Choir: Committee with Manager, Secretary, Treasurer and several choir members

Types of Committees: as above

Own collection of music scores: Yes

Available for hire to other groups: Yes

Hiring fees apply: Yes