This a is summary of our groups and rehearsal times and some general information for interested families.
Very Young Voices
| Age: | 0-5 |
| Location: | D.C. Bricker Social Room, Caulfield South |
| Session times: | Tuesdays during the state school term. Choose from 9:15am, 10:00am or 10:45am |
| Teacher: | Elizabeth O’Leary |
Beginning Training Choir
| Age: | 6 – 7 years (school grades 1 – 2) |
| Location: | St Catherine’s School, Toorak |
| Rehearsal time: | Monday afternoons during the state school term, from 4.30 – 5.30pm. |
| Teacher: | Marion Stafford |
Junior Training Choir
| Age: | 8 – 9 years (school grades 3 – 4) |
| Location: | St Catherine’s School, Toorak |
| Rehearsal time: | Monday afternoons during the state school term, from 4.30 – 5.30pm. |
| Teachers: | Elizabeth O’Leary and tutors Amelia Alder and Juliana Kay |
Senior Training Choir
| Age: | 10 – 11 years (school grades 5 – 7) |
| Location: | St Catherine’s School, Toorak |
| Rehearsal time: | Monday afternoons during the state school term, from 5.30 – 7.00pm. |
| Teachers: | Elizabeth O’Leary and tutors Amelia Alder and Juliana Kay |
Main Choir and YVMen
| Age: | 11 – 18 years (school grades 7 – 12) |
| Location: | St Catherine’s School, Toorak |
| Rehearsal time: | Thursday evenings during the state school term, from 5.30 – 8.15pm, or 6.15 – 9.00pm |
| Teachers: | Juliana Kay and Amelia Alder with accompanist and tutor Julia Piggin |
Exaudi
| Age: | 18 – 30 |
| Location: | Armadale Baptist Church, Kooyong Rd |
| Rehearsal time: | Monday evenings during the state school term, from 7.30 – 9.30pm. |
| Teachers: | Juliana Kay and Mark O’Leary |
Parental Involvement
There is much scope for parental involvement in the Young Voices of Melbourne. The choir is proud to be a community organisation which is strengthened by the involvement of parents and friends of the choir. Volunteer involvement helps to keep costs low, and provide extra opportunities for our young singers.
Following is a list of ways that interested parents can become involved:
• supervision of choir members: at rehearsals, concerts, camps and tours
• medical assistance: nurses and doctors often travel with the choir on tour
• catering: help with food is needed at choir functions and on tours and camps
• front of house duties: manning the box office, distributing programmes, ushering etc
• design skills: assistance with graphic design for choir publications
• Parents may also apply to serve on the Management Committee which governs the choir’s activities.
Attendance
All members of the Choir and Training Choirs are expected to make every effort to attend every rehearsal and performance. This is essential if a high standard is to be maintained. If due to illness or important school or family commitments a rehearsal (or performance) cannot be attended, choristers should contact Juliana at juliana@yvm.au before the rehearsal to make an apology and catch up on any news. It is also important for safety reasons that children not at rehearsals are accounted for. If choir members are only mildy unwell and not contagious, it is recommended that they attend rehearsal in a non-singing capacity as much can be learned by listening. Children who do not regularly attend rehearsals and who miss performances for unacceptable reasons will be asked to re-consider their commitment to the choir.
Parking
St Catherine’s School is in Heyington Place Toorak and there is plenty of street parking available.
Application Procedure
If having read these information sheets you would like to audition for the Young Voices of Melbourne, please contact Juliana at juliana@yvm.au. As places are limited in our groups, it is sometimes necessary to have to wait some time for an audition. New members are welcome to attend a couple of rehearsals before making a final commitment to join.
Contact Juliana Kay: juliana@yvm.com.au