The keys to successful singing

Term one is underway and all of our choirs are now back into rehearsals with excitement and enthusiasm for the year ahead. So, we caught up with a few of our conductors to find out their top tips and tricks when it comes to learning new music and getting the most out of every rehearsal. Whether you are finding your voice or are a seasoned performer, new to Birralee or have been singing with us for some time, there are pearls of singing wisdom and friendly reminders for everyone to take on board.

The year that was – 2019!

Time flies when you’re having fun and our choristers, artistic team and organisational team have achieved a great deal over 2019! Let’s reflect on the year that was! JANUARY - FEBRUARY Rehearsals for Voices of Birralee commenced for all ensembles and our first performance of the year was Brisbane Birralee Voices (BBV) performing at a...

Resonance of Birralee’s take on Eumeralla, a War Requiem For Peace

Voices of Birralee’s goal is to provide meaningful opportunities for its choristers, and many of these in the past have included our choirs participating in events with historical significance to Australia. Particularly over the past five years, we’ve given great focus to Australia’s involvement in World War One, but in October, we were grateful to...

Four years and counting, Birralee Celebrates… Birralee Recycled

In early 2016, Voices of Birralee’s artistic team was contemplating beginning a project choir for adults, 18 to no limit. For an organisation that had been run on the concept of youth choirs since 1995, this was quite the bold idea. Four years later, Birralee Recycled, the ‘give-it-a-go’ adult community choir is thriving, this year...

3. Birralee takes its songs from school to stadium

In our final blog, we start at Day 5, Wednesday 25 September! Today the apartments groups enjoyed another easy morning. Many only had a light breakfast as we were free to explore the CBD and quay of Perth and find somewhere nice for brunch! Hay St Mall proved a popular eating destination! Some groups met...

2: WA is alive with the sound of Birralee

Monday morning was spent eating a plethora of leftovers from our time spent in the Wellington Cottages for breakfast - some enjoyed rice, different spreads on toast or corn chips with salsa! Packing up to leave, we began the bus to our next journey, passing luscious green rolling hills, fields full of black and white cows,...

1: The WA tour begins!

Today was the first day of the 2019 “The Meeting Place” Singers tour to WA! Our first stop was Brisbane airport, the departures lounge. Nice and early, the choristers arrived and checked in, excitement bubbling in the air for the flight. After a smooth and easy plane ride, the Singers and Birralee staff members arrived...

Celebrating the Birralee families

At Voices of Birralee, we often feel like one big family and it’s wonderful to see how many actual families sing across our ensembles! We asked some of these families to share their experiences with Birralee. Singing in a choir with her own siblings as a child inspired Samantha Cook to sign her four children...

“Why did you choose a career in music?”

Music has always been my passion – ever since I was very young, I loved singing. My favourite films were “The Wizard Of Oz”, “Bedknobs and Broomsticks” and “Mary Poppins” – I always loudly sang along! I joined my primary school choir in Grade 4 and the conductor, Mrs Rostedt, really inspired me as a...

Why I love conducting the Birralee Piccolos

Written by Voices of Birralee conductor of the Birralee Piccolos, Debbie Daley https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rO_6Ap-BTQk The Piccolos, who are Prep and Year 1 children have a natural affinity with music whether they realise it or not. As a choir conductor, I have the opportunity to explore the world of music with the children using their voices -...

Attending rehearsals – a team pursuit

Written by Voices of Birralee conductor of the Birralee Blokes and Resonance of Birralee, Paul Holley OAM “All the real work is done in the rehearsal period.” - Donald Pleasence, British Actor At Voices of Birralee, our choristers, conductors, accompanists, and our volunteers are united by our love for creating or listening to great music. To...

21. Anzac Day… Lest we forget

Thursday 25 April - Anzac Day This Europe tour blog has returned to the hands of the original bloggers - Joshua Clifford and Ally Dunk  *** To arrive on time to the Australian National Memorial (ANM), Villers-Bretonneux for our Anzac Day commitment, the Voices of Birralee choristers woke up at 1am, meeting in the foyer...

20. Albert and Vimy Ridge

This blog post was written by BBV chorister, Emily Flanagan, and Birralee Blokes chorister, Charlie Stewart.  *** Wednesday 24 April 2019 Thankfully, we were given a nice sleep in this morning which was greatly appreciated after our long day yesterday. We then split off into little groups and experienced the culture of a French township,...

19. Allonville & Vignacourt

Tuesday April 23rd An early breakfast in our Albert hostel led us to the Australian National Memorial for a full day of rehearsals with the army band. These rigorous sessions are run to a tight schedule. Song times are checked and rechecked, sound levels are set and official protocols are rehearsed repeatedly! We were provided...

18. A day we will never forget

Monday 22 April 2019 Today’s blog was written by BBV chorister, Isabel Matthews, and Blokes chorister, Cameron Bryer, to give a fresh perspective on the days events in the lead up to Anzac Day Commemorations.  *** We began the day by visiting Lochnagar crater, a large hole left in the country side by a bomb...