Information current as at FEBRUARY 2022

Ed Chan, Musical Director

Choir's Email Address: gracenotessingers@gmail.com

Choir's Website: www.gracenotessingers.org

Vision statement / Artistic goals: The group's mission is to provide high quality musical experiences for young women in our community; they aim to offer an ensemble that will act as a transition from school choirs to adult, community choirs; the singers perform repertoire of artistic merit at the highest possible standard in a supportive, non-confrontational and enjoyable environment

Voice type: ALL FEMALE CHOIR

Choir performs: Both accompanied & unaccompanied

Year Choir formed: 2013

No. of Singing Members - Currently: 21 Desired: 30-32

Musical Repertoire: Wide variety of music styles such as classical, folk, show tunes, gospel and contemporary, with a particular emphasis on works by Australian composers

Musical Director: Ed Chan

No. of years in current post: since 2022

Previous musical experience: Ed Chan is a classical pianist who recently graduated from the Master of Music (Performance Teaching) program at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music;prior to that, Ed studied in the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in Singapore; Ed was the Resident Choral Conductor of Hwa Chong Voices from 2008; he also served as the resident conductor to Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) Choir, Anderson Secondary School Choir and Assumption English School Choir; Ed's love for vocal and choral music extends to his work as an accompanist; Ed remains active as a tenor vocalist, and performing professionally with Melbourne's top all-male A Cappella group, Suade

Choir's past collaborations with other musical groups: Joint concert with Essendon Choral Society; Lorraine Milne (Australian composer); Moonee Valley Brass

Audition: Yes - newcomers are welcomed throughout the year and are invited to join the group for half a rehearsal; if they still wish to become part of the choir, they will be required to do a short, solo audition to show voice quality, range and pitch; details will be provided but are likely to involve singing scales or other warm-up exercises and possibly a prepared song

Minimum Attendance policy - Rehearsals: Yes Concerts: Yes

Membership Fees: $490 p.a., or $300 p.a. for students

Ability to read music: Highly desirable but not compulsory

Sight-reading ability: Desirable but not compulsory

Av. No. of rehearsals/week: 1

Usual rehearsal night(s): Wednesday

Suburb: Essendon

Rehearsal venue: Polish Catholic Church, Cnr Alma St and Aberfeldie Rd

Off-street parking: Yes/No

Performance Apparel: All black, red necklaces are supplied by the group

Av. No. of Concert Programs/year: 8

Av. No. of Performances/year: 8

Sample of the Choir's past Concert Venues: Eisteddfod by the Bay; Melbourne Eisteddfod, Polish Catholic Church; Moonee Valley Carols in the Park; St Johns Uniting Church; Broadmeadows Hospital

Examples of musical pieces performed: *Maiden Voyage (Lorraine Milne); Look to the Rainbow, from Finian’s Rainbow; *Towards Infinity (Paul Jarman); Followers of the Lamb (Nancy Grundahl); Johnny Said, “No!” (Vijay Singh); * denotes an Australian composition

Touring: Not at this stage

Administration / Governance arrangements for the Choir: Executive/Steering Committee formed of choir members

Own collection of music scores: Yes

Available for hire to other groups: Yes

Hiring fees apply: Yes, if reciprocal borrowing arrangements were unsuitable