Information current as at MARCH 2015

Mark O'Leary, Musical Director, (03) 9578 5459 (BH + AH)

Choir's Email Address: info@yvm.com.au

Choir's Website: www.yvm.com.au

Vision statement / Artistic goals: To provide outstanding performance and music education opportunities for young singers

Voice type: Children's Choir

Choir performs: Both accompanied & unaccompanied

Year Choir formed: 1990

No. of Singing Members - Currently: 140 in four groups Desired: 140

Musical Repertoire: A wide range of world music, contemporary music, and some classical repertoire

Musical Director: Mark O'Leary

No. of years in current post: since 1990

Previous musical experience: Mark O'Leary graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor of Music degree in 1983; in 1985 he was awarded a Commonwealth Postgraduate Research Award, and since then has completed a Master of Music degree, passed with honours, and a Bachelor of Music Education degree; Mark has also studied conducting with Robert Rosen as a private student and was the recipient of a Churchill Fellowship in 1989, which took him to England, Hungary, Finland, Canada and the U.S.A to study outstanding children's choirs; Mark has conducted choirs in schools and the community for many years, and has special interests in Kodaly teaching techniques, the development of excellence in music education and children's choirs, and Australian choral music; he presents many workshops each year on choral music education throughout Australia, is guest conductor at many festivals, and is actively involved in the Australian National Choral Association and the Kodaly Music Education Institute of Australia; Mark is also the Principal Guest Conductor of Gondwana Voices, Australia's national children's choir

Choir's past collaborations with other musical groups: Gondwana Voices, Melbourne Symphony, Brisbane Birralee Voices, The Australian Voices

Audition: Yes, held yearly in November

Minimum Attendance policy - Rehearsals: Yes Concerts: Yes

Membership Fees: approx. $750 p.a.

Ability to read music: This is taught by the Choir

Sight-reading ability: This is taught by the Choir

Av. No. of rehearsals/week: 1

Usual rehearsal night(s): varies, depending on the choir group

Suburb: Caulfield

Rehearsal venue: Caulfield Grammar School

Off-street parking: No

Performance Apparel: Uniform black pants and choir T-shirt

Av. No. of Concert Programs/year: 3-12, depending on choir group

Av. No. of Performances/year: 3-12, depending on choir group

Sample of the Choir's past Concert Venues: BMW Edge Theatre, Glen Eira Arts Complex Auditorium, Our Lady of Victories Church (Camberwell)

Examples of musical pieces performed: Songs of Sanctuary (Karl Jenkins), Boy on the Bay (Paul Stanhope)

Touring: Yes - Regional Victoria/Interstate/Overseas

Administration / Governance arrangements for the Choir: An Incorporated Association, with a Management Committee and a full-time Director

Types of Committees: see above

Own collection of music scores: Yes

Available for hire to other groups: No