Information current as at FEBRUARY 2021

Yvonne Giltinan, Musical Director, 0415 876 255

Choir's Email Address: info@yarragospel.org

Choir's Website: yarragospel.org

Vision statement / Artistic goals: Yarra Gospel is a community choir that loves singing gospel music; practices are as much fun as performances because of the encouraging learning environment and the great community atmosphere

Voice type: SATB

Choir performs: Both accompanied & unaccompanied

Year Choir formed: 2004

No. of Singing Members - Currently: 60 Desired: New members welcome

Musical Repertoire: Arrangements by Rollo Dilworth, Kirby Shaw, Moses Hogan and traditional Gospel favourites

Musical Director: Yvonne Giltinan

No. of years in current post: since 2004

Previous musical experience: Yvonne has been a Director of Music in schools in the Northern Territory and Hobart, and has conducted community choirs throughout her career; Yvonne has recently received 2 awards from the Boroondara Council: the Covid-19 Outstanding Hero, and Citizen of the Year 2021; these awards not only recognise her voluntary work with the choir and other community organisations, but also the amazing work the team did keeping the choir going during 2020

Ed Chan is a professional pianist, accompanist and singer; with a Master of Music (Performance Teaching) and a Diploma of Music (Piano), Ed brings his singing expertise particularly when working with tenors and basses, and musicianship as an skilled accompanist; he is highly valued by choir members

Choir's past collaborations with other musical groups: Cloud9, Gospelfest, Melbourne Singers of Gospel, Rechoired, Yarra Valley Singers

Audition: No

Minimum Attendance policy - Rehearsals: Come as often as you can Concerts: No

Membership Fees: Weekly fee of $10, Annual Membership fee of $20 which covers the Choir's insurances

Ability to read music: Not necessary - the choir has an App to assist singers

Sight-reading ability: Not necessary

Av. No. of rehearsals/week: 1

Usual rehearsal night(s): Thursday

Suburb: Camberwell

Rehearsal venue: St Johns Anglican Church, 552 Burke Rd, Camberwell, just near Camberwell Junction

Off-street parking: Yes

Performance Apparel: Black with a dash of red, or black with silver bling/ties

Av. No. of Concert Programs/year: 1

Av. No. of Performances/year: 4-5

Sample of the Choir's past Concert Venues: Two sell-out tribute concerts featuring gospel music of Elvis and Aretha; Killara Estate Winery; Carol services in various churches; Choral@Montsalvat; Music at the Basilica Geelong; Melbourne Open House; Cruise on the Yarra River; Weddings and birthday parties; Gospel workshops with Tony Backhouse, Kirby Shaw and Rollo Dilworth; Community Choirs Festivals in Surrey Hills, Kew and Hawthorn; Boite Singers Festival in Daylesford; ABC FM Choir of the Year competition

Examples of musical pieces performed: Gospel songs recorded by Aretha Franklin and Elvis Presley including O Happy Day, Down by the Riverside, Amazing Grace, Down to the River to Pray

Touring: Yes - Regional Victoria

Administration / Governance arrangements for the Choir: An Incorporated Association

Types of Committees: Yarra Gospel is managed by an annually elected committee that plans events and assists with choir activities

Own collection of music scores: Yes

Available for hire to other groups: Yes, the choir is happy to lend their SATB music to other choirs

Hiring fees apply: No