Information current as at JUNE 2022

Choir's Email Address: joinus@thedecibelles.org

Choir's Website: www.thedecibelles.org

Vision statement / Artistic goals: Celebrating womanhood by uniting women from diverse backgrounds, race and sexuality to raise the spirit and inspire the soul through music and song

Voice type: ALL FEMALE CHOIR

Choir performs: Both accompanied & unaccompanied

Year Choir formed: 2013

No. of Singing Members - Currently: Recruiting now Desired: 30-40

Musical Repertoire: Modern popular music ranging from the 60s to now

Musical Director: Ursula Paez

No. of years in current post: since 2015

Previous musical experience: With a Bachelor in Music Performance (Mezzo Soprano) from the Victorian College of the Arts, Ursula has sung with professional choirs performing classical and folk music, zarzuelas (Spanish operetta) and operas; she has worked as choir conductor, mainly with children, including collaborating in a music therapy program to develop expression and communication; Ursula has sung with the Melbourne Chorale and in the Wesley Uniting Church Ensemble, Opera Australia, Victorian Opera, and performs weekly as Alto soloist for the Toorak Uniting Church; currently Ursula works as Musical Director and conductor for Low Rez male pop choir, The Decibelles female pop choir, and the Alphingtones

Choir's past collaborations with other musical groups: Low Rez, Melbourne Gay and Lesbian Chorus

Audition: No, but singers must be able to hold a tune

Minimum Attendance policy - Rehearsals: Yes Concerts: No

Membership Fees: After 2 trial rehearsals, $400 full fee ($280 conc) p.a.

Ability to read music: Not necessary

Sight-reading ability: Not necessary

Av. No. of rehearsals/week: 1

Usual rehearsal night(s): Monday

Suburb: St Kilda East/Balaclava

Rehearsal venue: Uniting Parish Mission Church, cnr Carlisle/Chapel Sts)

Off-street parking: Yes

Performance Apparel: Red and black

Av. No. of Concert Programs/year: 1

Av. No. of Performances/year: 2

Sample of the Choir's past Concert Venues: Memo Music Hall. Chapel Off Chapel, Meat Market

Examples of musical pieces performed: Jar of Hearts, Back to Black, Never Tear Us Apart, Nothing Else Matters, Ship to Wreck, Tragedy, Someone Like You, Young and Beautiful, A Thousand Years, My Immortal, Like A Prayer, Titanium, ABBA medley, Aretha Franklin medley

Touring: No, but possibly in the future

Administration / Governance arrangements for the Choir: The choir is an Incorporated Association

Types of Committees: The choir is run by a committee made up of current members

Own collection of music scores: Yes

Available for hire to other groups: Yes

Hiring fees apply: Yes