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Probationer
Tuesday evening rehearsals
Tyro
Tuesday evening rehearsals
Junior Singer
Friday evening rehearsals
Senior Singer
Mon & Fri evening rehearsals
Chorister
Mon & Fri evening rehearsals
Cambiata
Wednesday afternoon rehearsals
Kelly Gang
Sunday afternoon rehearsals
The Vocal Consort
Thursday evening rehearsals
Workshops
Our residential programs

Training Program

Each boy progresses through the following training levels at his own rate, gaining not only musical knowledge and skills, but also growing in confidence and personal independence. A feature of the Choir is the unique  'career path' for boys after their voices change: the Kelly Gang for those of secondary-school age and The Vocal Consort for young adults. 

 

Each boy starts as a Probationer for one school semester. Emphasis is placed on experiencing music through enjoyment, and the discipline and skill of singing and an understanding of the language of music is gradually and gently instilled by trained specialist staff

 

The Tyro training commences the real choral training for each boy, encouraging aural development and music reading skills
as well as vocal development. 

 

Junior Singer training builds on the basics with more emphasis on vocal technique and music reading skills. Performance skills
become important at this level. 

 

Senior Singers concentrate on performance skills, while continuing to broaden their own musical skills and experience. Boys at this level may from time to time be selected to perform with the Choir in public
performances. 

 

The highest rank is that of Chorister, and these boys are eligible for selection as Leaders in the Australian Boys Choir, the top
performing group. 

 

Cambiata and The Kelly Gang* are groups of teenage boys whose voices have begun to change and who choose to continue their vocal and choral interests. Membership of the Kelly Gang is by invitation/audition and normally requires qualification at Chorister level. In both groups, the focus is on training rather than performance, with an emphasis on vocal technique, especially learning to cope with the “new instrument”. In Cambiata, boys continue their Junior Singer or Senior Singer skill development. In Kelly Gang, some boys choose to develop their musical leadership qualities by learning conducting techniques, and music reading skills are constantly enhanced. 

* The name honors the memory of the founder of the
Australian Boys Choir, Vincent J. Kelly, who devoted his
life to music education and, particularly, to fostering singing
among boys.

The Vocal Consort was formed in 1984 to complement the work of the Australian Boys Choir, but has a very active performing schedule of its own.
Visit
The Vocal Consort website to find out more.

 

 

 

An important part of the training program are the two residential weekend workshops held each year and an intensive residential camp held in January. These music schools provide not only intensive musical training, but the encouragement of independence and the building of life skills.

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