About
OUR MISSION
Young Voices of Macedon seeks to provide quality music education for children in the context of choral singing. In particular it aims to:
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Encourage a love of group singing and quality music
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Guide young singers in developing vocal technique
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Provide training in music reading, part-singing, aural skills and general musicianship
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Introduce a wide range of music, including works from the classical tradition
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Assist choristers to develop vocal confidence and performance skills
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Offer a range of performance opportunities
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Provide an enjoyable, inclusive and social environment.
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STRUCTURE
We have 2 groups that sing separately and together.
The Vivo group comprises children from 5 to 8 years and those in need of assistance in developing security in pitch. The programme is largely Kodaly-based and includes musical games and action songs.
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The Cantabile group includes children over the age of 8 and sings a wide-ranging repertoire from classical, folk, sacred and popular traditions and from musicals. We enjoy singing commissioned works, arrangements by our teachers and songs for special occasions. There is an emphasis on music in 2 and 3 parts.
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REHEARSALS
Our choir rehearses every Thursday during term time from 4.15 to 5.45pm, with occasional weekend workshops. From 1 February 2024 rehearsals will be held at The House of the Rock Church, 247 Station Street, New Gisborne.
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Each rehearsal commences with warm-ups involving the entire choir that always include the singing of rounds. Thereafter children rehearse in separate groups.
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ACTIVITIES
In 2023 our choir was invited to perform at Choralfest@Montsalvat, at the opening of the Woodend Winter Arts Festival and in 2 performances of Deep sea dreaming by Elena Kats-Chernin along with the Bendigo Youth Choir and the Bendigo Symphony Orchestra. In September the choir staged a major concert, and in December performed with the choir of the Anglican Parish of Gisborne and singers from the Australian Chamber Choir in a Service of Readings and Carols at the Church of the Resurrection, Macedon. We are also very proud of the recording (available on Itunes and Spotify) in which 6 of our girls provided backing vocals in the song Merry Christmas, war is over by John Lennon with lead singer Dylan Marguccio, a project hosted by Muscular Dystrophy Australia.
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The 2024 programme will include 2 performances of the entire Messe brève by Leo Delibes with the Bendigo Youth Choir, organ and string ensemble on 8 September at St Andrew’s Uniting Church, Bendigo and on 15 September at the Church of the Resurrection, Macedon.
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