ST FRANCIS' CHOIR
Information current as at FEBRUARY 2012
CONTACT DETAILS
326 Lonsdale Street, MELBOURNE VIC 3000
Tony Way, Director, (03) 9639 4560 (BH)
Choir's Email Address: stfmusic@blessedsacrament.com.au
Choir's Website: www.stfrancischoir.org.au
DETAILS ABOUT THE CHOIR
Vision statement / Artistic goals: St Francis' Choir is committed to serving the liturgy at St Francis' Church, Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, Victoria's oldest Catholic church; it presents a wide variety of music in a liturgical setting and promotes wider community interest in choral liturgical music; it also encourages the growth of Australian liturgical music by commissioning and performing new works
Voice type: SATB
Choir performs: Both accompanied & unaccompanied
Year Choir formed: 1845
No. of Singing Members - Currently: 45 Desired: not specified
Musical Repertoire: St Francis' Choir performs a wide variety of music from plainchant through to contemporary Australian works; it has a strong tradition of performing masses from the classical repertoire with orchestra (eg. Haydn, Mozart, Schubert)
Musical Director: Tony Way
No. of years in current post: since 1998
Previous musical experience: After studies at the universities of Queensland and Melbourne, Tony began his involvement with St Francis' Choir in 1986 as choir organist; his career highlights as Assistant Director of Music at St Francis' include playing for Mass in the presence of Olivier Messiaen, being the organist for the National Liturgical Music Convention of 1993, and accompanying the St Francis' Choir on its European tour in 1990-91; apart from his work at St Francis', Tony has regularly reviewed recordings of classical music for the Melbourne Age and continues to compose liturgical music, much of which has been published by various Australian and American publishers; Tony has also completed a Master's degree in Music at the Australian Catholic University
Choir's past collaborations with other musical groups: The choir regularly performs with orchestra and brass ensemble; it hosts an annual Schools' Mass at which the choirs of secondary colleges are invited to perform with St Francis' Choir
JOINING REQUIREMENTS
Audition: Yes - All applicants are required to pass a simple audition and interview; the audition includes a range test and a sight-singing test
Minimum Attendance policy - Rehearsals: Yes Concerts: Yes
Membership Fees: Joining fee $20, and annual subscription fee $30 ($15 conc.)
Ability to read music: Essential
Sight-reading ability: Highly desirable
REHEARSAL ARRANGEMENTS
Av. No. of rehearsals/week: 2
Usual rehearsal night(s): Thursday Night and Sunday Morning
Suburb: Melbourne CBD
Rehearsal venue: St Francis' Hall
Off-street parking: Yes
PERFORMANCES
Performance Apparel: Choir robe provided
Av. No. of Concert Programs/year: not specified
Av. No. of Performances/year: 46
Sample of the Choir's past Concert Venues: St Francis' Church (Melbourne)
Examples of musical pieces performed: Coronation Mass (Mozart), O Nata Lux (Lauridsen)
Touring: No
CHOIR'S ADMINISTRATION
Administration / Governance arrangements for the Choir: Director and General Committee
Types of Committees: General
MUSIC LIBRARY
Own collection of music scores: Yes
Available for hire to other groups: Yes
Hiring fees apply: Yes
Back to ... ALPHABETICAL INDEX OF CHOIRS & VOCAL ENSEMBLES
DISCLAIMER : Whilst much care has been taken in compiling the information in this Guide, it is possible that errors may have occurred. So, please email the Editor at karina.gough@bigpond.com with corrections, and they will be made as soon as possible.
Copyright © Karina Gough WARNING: All Site content is owned by the Editor, and is not to be reproduced elsewhere without permission of the Editor.