CHOIR OF NEWMAN COLLEGE
Information current as at JULY 2015
CONTACT DETAILS
Newman College, University of Melbourne, 887 Swanston St, PARKVILLE VIC 3052
Gary Ekkel, Choir Director, 9347 5577 (BH)
Choir's Email Address: choirdirector@newman.unimelb.edu.au
Choir's Website: newman.unimelb.edu.au/college-life/the-choir/
DETAILS ABOUT THE CHOIR
Vision statement / Artistic goals: The Choir of Newman College serves as the chapel and concert choir of Newman College, University of Melbourne
Voice type: SATB
Choir performs: Both accompanied & unaccompanied
Year Choir formed: 2002
No. of Singing Members - Currently: 24 Desired:
Musical Repertoire: The core music is from the Sacred repertoire, with particular focuses on Early Music (Renaissance, Baroque) and 20th-century music; both secular and sacred music are performed in the Concerts of the Choir's own concert seriesl; the Choir sings a weekly mass on Sunday evenings
Musical Director: Dr Gary Ekkel
No. of years in current post: since 2002
Previous musical experience: Director of Schola Cantorum of Melbourne (1994-present), Director of Choral Music at St Michael's Grammar School (1996-present); Artistic Director of the Advent Festival (biennial, beginning in 2009)
Choir's past collaborations with other musical groups: Tour of New Zealand with Affetto (2015); Concerts with Early music ensembles such as La Compania, Consort Eclectus and regular performances with the Newman Baroque Orchestra, an orchestra selected from the leading baroque musicians in the country; performances with Festivals such as the Ballarat Goldfields Festival and the Windfire Festival
JOINING REQUIREMENTS
Audition: Yes - Entry is by audition; all successful candidates receive a choral scholarship; details of the scholarships and the audition process may be found in the choral scholarship document at www.newman.unimelb.edu.au/applications/choral-scholarships
Minimum Attendance policy - Rehearsals: Yes Concerts: Yes
Membership Fees: None
Ability to read music: Essential
Sight-reading ability: Essential
REHEARSAL ARRANGEMENTS
Av. No. of rehearsals/week: 2
Usual rehearsal night(s): Thursday, plus Sunday late afternoons
Suburb: Parkville
Rehearsal venue: The Academic Centre, Newman and St Mary's College
Off-street parking: No
PERFORMANCES
Performance Apparel: Black tie for concert performances, choir gowns for services
Av. No. of Concert Programs/year: 3
Av. No. of Performances/year: 6
Sample of the Choir's past Concert Venues: Newman College Chapel, St Matthew's (Melbourne CBD), Auckland, Christchurch Pro-Cathedral, Ballarat Cathedral
Examples of musical pieces performed: World War 1 repertoire, including Lord, thou has been our refuge (Vaughan Williams), St Matthew Passion (Bach), 1610 Vespers (Monteverdi), concert featuring songs by Cole Porter
Touring: Yes - Regional Victoria/Interstate/Overseas
CHOIR'S ADMINISTRATION
Administration / Governance arrangements for the Choir: The Newman College Administration oversees the governance of the Choir
Types of Committees: n/a
MUSIC LIBRARY
Own collection of music scores: Yes
Available for hire to other groups: Yes
Hiring fees apply: This will depend on the amount and value of the items being borrowed
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