Choirs participating in 2023
Choirs are listed alphabetically and in some cases choir names are abbreviated. Select any choir to jump to their entry:
Academy Singers
AChoired Sound
Andalus Arabic
Aurora Australis
Beating Time
Bel a cappella
Bondi Sings
Byrd Consort
Canada Bay
Coastal a cappella
Coro Austral
DElites
Endeavour
Evergreen Music
Georges River
Good Vibrations
Heathens
Hunter Singers
Academy Singers
Directed by Paul Terracini
Accompanist: Jane Andino, piano
Classical
academysingers.com.au
Academy Singers is a Blue Mountains chamber choir offering residents and visitors regular concerts of choral and other chamber music throughout the year at various mountains venues. We host an annual community workshop and participate in large scale works with Penrith Symphony Orchestra and other local choirs. We rehearse on Thursday evenings at Wentworth Falls and interested singers are welcome to attend a free trial rehearsal. For further information about coming events or contact details, go to our website or find us on Facebook.
AChoired Sound
Directed by Paul Haire
Accompanists: Paul Haire, piano;
Fergus Hides-Pearson, guitar;
Graham Tweedie, single snare drum, tambourine
Musicals, popular, Australian, contemporary, military
The Choir, in its 24th year, was established under the guidance of professional musician Paul Haire, a graduate of the Sydney Conservatorium and an experienced teacher/performer. After a 1999 Opera House school concert at which parents, teachers and students were formed into a massed choir, some of the dads got such a buzz out of the experience that we formed our own Men’s choir in 2000. About 20 fathers, and their friends, of past and current students of St Aloysius’ College make up the choir. We have performed at the Opera House (2004), weddings, nursing homes, parties, fund raisers, school carol nights and events, church services, World Youth Day Concert, businessmen dinners, a Homeless people dinner and Blackheath Choir Festivals in 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2022. We sang songs of the WW1 era during the end credits of two episodes of Channel 9’s “Gallipoli” Mini Series plus sang at the ABC radio’s “Sing Out Sydney” in 2019. We also sang at a 2017 book launch in front of the NSW Premier and at the 2019, 2021 and 2022 Anzac Day lunches for the 2/20th Battalion plus we sing rocking Christmas Carols each year at Bunnings. We sing everything from Gershwin, Beatles, Eagles through to Coldplay and we love new members enjoying our experiences.
Andalus Arabic Choir
Directed by Ghada Daher-Elmowy
Arabic traditional and Andalusian
andalusarabicchoir.com; facebook
We are a group of Arabic and Non-Arabic speaking Australians who share the love of Arabic music and singing. The Andalus Arabic Choir reflects the vibrant, creative, multicultural and tolerant era of Andalucia. We sing Arabic and Andalusian songs in dialects from Andalucia to the Middle-East and North Africa. We include many genres of Arabic music: Andalusian, traditional, folk, qudud, tarab, shaabi and original.
Aurora Australis Chorus
Directed by Karen Ramirez
Popular, barbershop, Australian, contemporary
auroraaustralis.org.au
Aurora Australis is a group of friendly and supportive women who love to sing and perform. We are a women’s four-part harmony a cappella chorus that meets every Thursday in Concord, Sydney. We like to say we came for the music and stayed for the friendship! At our weekly rehearsals, our two talented Musical Directors, Sue and Karen, instruct us in correct harmony singing technique as we learn to sing and perform a wide range of special four-part a cappella arrangements – from popular and classic hits to barbershop and contemporary ballads, as well as Australian songs and Christmas carols and songs. We enjoy performing at private functions and public events, including Citizenship Ceremonies for the City of Canada Bay. We regularly compete in local eisteddfods and on the national stage at the annual Sweet Adelines Australia Convention. Around Christmas you will find us singing carols at local shopping centres or on the steps of St Mary’s Cathedral. Aurora Australis is part of Sweet Adelines Australia, and is one of 31 choruses from across the country. Sweet Adelines is a non-profit music association for women, which focuses on educating its 20,000 members world-wide in the art of a cappella four-part harmony, barbershop style.
Beating Time
Directed by Margot McLaughlin
Accompanist: Kian Woo, piano
Popular, indigenous and other ethnic, semi-classical
facebook
Beating Time, an unauditioned choir of seniors, has been rehearsing and performing at the Dougherty Community Centre, Chatswood for over 20 years originally under the name of Sydney U3A choir. We have regularly performed in retirement villages, for Meals of Wheels luncheons and citizenship ceremonies and have taken part in festivals such as the Blackheath Choir Festival in 2016, 2018 and 2022 and the North Shore Community of Choirs Festival in February, 2020 just before we had to go into lockdown because of the Covid 19 pandemic. We continued rehearsing via zoom during that time, returning to rehearsals in 2022 during which year our membership rose. In 2023 we opened the Willoughby City Council’s Gala Concert for Seniors at the Zenith Theatre, Chatswood. Under the leadership of our Director of Music Margot McLaughlin, we have developed a wide repertoire including songs in languages such as French, Italian, Spanish, and indigenous as well as popular and choral music. We are always happy to welcome new members who love to sing.
Bel a cappella
Directed by Monica Buckland
Renaissance, baroque, classical, Australian, contemporary
belacappella.org.au
Bel a cappella is a chamber choir of 25-30 experienced singers who are dedicated to the performance of diverse, high quality choral music in fine venues around Sydney. Established in 1995 by a few members of Sydney University Musical Society who were looking for the challenges of singing in a smaller group, Bel a cappella continues to attract able singers who are keen to explore the more demanding repertoire to the highest possible standard. The choir has an extensive repertoire ranging from Gregorian chant to twentieth-century music. Our concerts are designed to appeal to those who are new to the world of choral music as well as those who already enjoy the choral repertoire and seek to further explore it and hear it at its best.
Bondi Sings
Directed by Gary Smith
Gospel, jazz, popular
bondisings.com.au; facebook
Bondi Sings is a non-auditioned community choir. It was originally formed as an initiative of the Waverley Council in the early 2000’s. In 2013 the choir became a registered ‘not for profit association’ and is now managed by a committee of dedicated members. Gary Smith took over the role of Musical Director in the same year and has witnessed the growth of the choir from its humble beginnings of about 10 members to over 40 choristers. The choir meets for 2 hours each Tuesday night during school terms at 7.15pm. They rehearse at the St Columba Uniting Church located at 53 Ocean St Woollahra. Like most choirs over the last few years, Bondi Sings struggled to stay afloat and resorted like many other groups to online rehearsals, followed by a slow return to normal face-to-face rehearsals last year. The choir members love to sing music in a fairly broad range of styles but mostly favour gospel, pop and folk music arrangements. Gary, the MD, is a music educator and freelance musician who currently directs 3 community choirs as well as managing The Choir Central website and leads musical tours to Greece when pandemics don’t interfere.
Byrd Consort
Directed by James Dixon
Polyphony
Specializing in Renaissance polyphony, the Byrd Consort is made up of singers from Australia and the UK. Several live locally in the Blue Mountains. The Consort’s conductor, James Dixon, left Sydney to study choral conducting at the Royal Academy of Music eight years ago. He remains in London and now conducts four choirs there. Together James and Blue Mountains resident Claire Cook, with whom he has formed a musical partnership, organise for the group to participate in workshops and performances in historical churches in England and France, Australia and Singapore. Often the churches pre-date the music sung by the Consort. Many of the Consort’s members sing in other choirs when not on tour. For more information, Claire Cook 0418843751.
Canada Bay Community Choir
Directed by Bradley Gilchrist
A mix of modern, Australian & other cultural
cbcch.com.au; facebook
Canada Bay Community Choir is a non auditioning choir comprising of an enthusiastic group of community members who love to sing learn & make music. All people are welcome and we are very inclusive.We are based in Drummoyne in Inner West Sydney & meet on Thursday nights, 7 to 9pm. Our range of music includes modern, folk, classical & gospel songs. We like to perform at community events including Choir Festivals, Christmas Carols, Seniors Week & at our Choir Family & Friends nights.
Coastal a cappella
Directed by Lynette Smith
Women’s barbershop
coastalacappella.com;
facebook
Coastal a Cappella is a 45 member women’s a cappella chorus based on the Central Coast of NSW. We have been established for 31 years and are a member of Sweet Adelines International. We have won the Community Choir and Show Choir sections of the City of Sydney Eisteddfod on several occasions, we won the inaugural Short+Sweet Voices competition in 2015, have performed for many years at the Lights of Sydney at St Mary’s Cathedral, Hunter Valley Gardens Light Spectacular, and in 2022 at NOEL Sydney. We perform a wide genre of music and many of our songs are choreographed.
Coro Austral
Directed by Margot McLaughlin
Spanish, Portuguese, Latin American, mainstream classical
www.coroaustral.org; facebook
Coro Austral was established by Artistic Director Margot McLaughlin in 2010 as a Sydney-based auditioned chamber choir specialising in Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American music. Its current repertoire ranges across all the well-known “Western mainstream classical” forms from the 13th century to the present, including Latin American Baroque, as well as music from other traditions such as Catalan and Basque, choral tango, Andean folkloric, Sephardic, contemporary Chilean, and arrangements of classic Cuban songs. In 2017 Coro Austral undertook a performance tour through Cuba which included workshops with professional choirs as well as dance and percussion workshops, culminating in participation in the International Festival of Choirs – Santiago De Cuba, one of the longest standing and most prestigious events in the international choral calendar. As well as presenting regular concerts, Coro Austral has performed as a guest choir at Australian Jewish Choral Festivals and has been a regular participant in Blackheath Choir Festivals – in fact our very first public performance was at this Festival in 2010! It has also participated in Advent and Easter services at St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Rozelle. We are always on the lookout for experienced choral musicians to audition as permanent or casual singers. Ability to speak Spanish is not required, as language coaching is provided, but prospective members should enjoy exploring new repertoire, languages and cultures. Contact: David Goodwin 0414505784 and dgoodwin237@gmail.com.
DElites
Directed by Darryl Roberts
Baby Boomers will know all of our songs
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The DElites are a collection of dedicated singers that formed from an event staged by choirs from the Dural and Epping areas, hence the DE-lites. We sing adult rock and pop and simply love to entertain our audience. We are the best of friends and that is reflected in our music. Our focus is all about giving our all and handing out love to all that will listen. We are harmonic pub singers, eager to please, eager to play up.
Endeavour Harmony Chorus
Directed by Lea Baker
Barbershop
endeavourharmony.com
Endeavour Harmony Chorus has become well known as one of Australia’s leading female a cappella ensembles. They have achieved many accolades including winning the John Lamble Australian Choral championships and the Australian Choral Grand Prix and have performed overseas on several occasions. Their membership is currently 65 singers from all walks of life. Singing, friendships and the occasional wine keep us connected. The chorus rehearse in the Sutherland Shire of Sydney on Tuesday evenings and perform regularly with a repertoire of contemporary pop, rock standards and poignant ballads. Rehearsals, under the leadership of Lea Baker and Karen Ramirez, are fun, energetic and educational.
Evergreen Music Wednesday Singers
Directed by Ben Marshall
Popular, contemporary, folk
website
Every Wednesday night, Evergreen provides an opportunity to break from normal routine to personally unwind and connect with other people through singing. We sing fast and slow, high and low, old and new, choral to blues. We harmonize and unify, give it a try, you’ll be surprised! It’s a relaxed and friendly environment coordinated by Evergreen Music director, Ben Marshall. Despite the constantly changing material sung on the night, the outcome of each session is always a really enjoyable, stress-free musical experience. You’ll feel physically and mentally revitalised, and ready for the rest of your week.
Georges River Voices
Directed by Emilio Mancia
Classical, musicals, popular, contemporary
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Georges River Voices is a community choir for adults based in the St George area of Sydney. Our primary objective is to share with others the joy and power of singing together. An a capella choir, we sing a diverse range of repertoire, from contemporary, to jazz, classical and world music. We are a non-auditioned choir, welcoming in-tune singers of all abilities ‒ our key requirement is enthusiasm and commitment to turn up to rehearsals. Georges River Voices choir members aim to extend musical knowledge and challenge ourselves to a high musical standard in a safe, inclusive environment. Our choir is run by its members, with musical leadership from our musical director. We are inspired by our director and each other to sing our very best. We aim to perform regularly to showcase our work and we want to expand our choir to ensure that we thrive. Most importantly ‒ we have fun!!
Good Vibrations
Directed by Fiona Lamb
Musicals, gospel, popular, contemporary, folk
goodvibrationschoir.com.au;
facebook
Good Vibrations is an a cappella community choir on the northern beaches singing an eclectic repertoire with an emphasis on fun! If you love to bop in the basement, croon in the car, shout in the shower, (maybe even keen in the kitchen?) and have a high tolerance for Dad jokes, then this is the choir for you!
Heathens
Directed by Christine Wheeler
Folk and popular
heathenschoir.org
We are an inclusive and welcoming community choir based in the heart of the Blue Mountains world heritage listed national park. The choir was founded in 2009 by Christine Wheeler and sings a mixture of folk, world and popular music arrangements. The choir is unauditioned and welcomes the opportunity to offer all comers the chance to enjoy making good music together. The Heathens are regularly invited to perform at a range of festivals and community events in the Blue Mountains.
Hunter Singers
Directed by Kim Sutherland
Classical, popular, Australian, contemporary
huntersingers.com
The highly acclaimed regional choir Hunter Singers was founded in 1989 by Kim Sutherland OAM, with the aim to provide students in government schools with an outstanding choral experience. There are currently 35 singers in Hunter Singers, representing 8 high schools in the Newcastle and Hunter area. There have been many highlights for Hunter Singers, including outstanding commissions and 11 international tours. In 2018, Hunter Singers toured to Canada for the Kathaumixw Festival in Powell River British Columbia. They have also toured throughout Australia and to the UK, France, USA, Italy, China and New Zealand. In 2019 the group toured to Central Australia with the Hunter Wind Ensemble and participated in the Gondwana World Choral Festival. Hunter Singers has commissioned works from some of Australia’s leading composers, including Michael Atherton, Stephen Leek, Sally Whitwell, Paul Jarman and Matthew Orlovich. In 2016 Hunter Singers performed Fromelles by Paul Jarman at the Centenary Commemorations for the Battle of Fromelles in Fromelles, France. Hunter Singers regularly perform at concerts in Newcastle and the Hunter area. They are particularly looking forward to participating in their first Blackheath Choir Festival in 2023.
Jubilate Singers
Directed by Georgina Andrews
Renaissance
jubilate.org.au
The Jubilate Singers have been a pillar of community choral music in Sydney for over 20 years. Jubilate sings a wide variety of music, particularly major classical choral works such as Handel’s Messiah, as well as rhythmic African songs and jazz standards. We performed traditional songs and body percussion from Aceh for ABC Radio’s Sing Out Sydney. We regularly partner with Symphonia Jubilate, a like-minded community music organisation, and perform everything from musical theatre classics to Mozart. In 2020, we adapted quickly to Zoom rehearsals because of Covid restrictions and made a recording from our homes like many choirs during this time. At the end of 2021, we were able to sing in person again, celebrating with a community carols concert to end the year. In 2022 we finally performed Mozart’s Requiem to a sold-out audience with members of St Matthew’s Singers from Tasmania. This was followed by Fauré’s Requiem with Excelsia Choir and Strathfield Symphony Orchestra as well music from La La Land with Symphonia Jubilate. With no formal auditions and funded by member contributions, this choir is open to anyone with a love of music. We rehearse on Monday evenings during school terms in Dulwich Hill, and welcome new members of all ages and backgrounds.
Kooskõlas
Directed by Naomi Cooper
Estonian Western Art Choral
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Estonia is known for regaining its independence through the “Singing Revolution”, inspired by the tradition of the Song Festival “Laulupidu” held every 5 years in Tallinn. The Kooskõlas Choir (“together in song”) was formed comprising Estonian and non-Estonian Australian citizens residing in NSW. It auditioned and was accepted to perform at Laulupidu 2014 amongst the massed choir of over 35,000 singers performing before an audience of more than 100,000 people. In 2019 the Kooskõlas Choir successfully undertook the ambitious project of taking another choir comprising singers from around Australia (NSW, QLD, VIC, SA, ACT) to perform at Laulupidu. The Estonian Song Festival (“Laulupidu”) is a unique cultural event, which every five years brings together choirs from around Estonia and the world for a celebration over several days in July. More than just an internationally-recognised choral event, Laulupidu has become a key anchor of Estonian identity and symbol of independence which has recently celebrated its 105th Anniversary. In the 19th century this celebration was at the core of the Estonians’ national awakening. Their singing traditions helped enforce their language and cultural heritage. It would inspire their fight for independence in 1918. During more than 50 years of Soviet occupation after World War Two the song celebration helped keep the Estonians’ national spirit alive. In 1988, in a show of solidarity against their occupiers, several hundred-thousand people gathered at the Tallinn Song Festival grounds and sang songs of freedom for many days and nights. There would be many more. This spirited defiance would become known as the “Singing Revolution” as it helped end Soviet rule of the country, allowing Estonia to regain its cherished independence in 1991.
Loungeroom Voices
Directed by Sue Capper
Relaxed trad/popular
susan.capper@gmail.com
The Loungeroom Voices emerged after lockdown and are a small group of friendly people who love to sing together. We meet in a loungeroom, hence our name. We sing popular and traditional songs in SATB format and enjoy contributing to community events and singing with the residents who are in local Aged Care.
Martenitsa Ensemble
Directed by Mara Kiek
Accompanists: LLew Kiek – bouzouki, Laura Bishop – piano accordion Mara Kiek – tapan
Culture specific
maramusic.com.au; facebook
Since their formation in 1990, ‘Martenitsa Choir’ have been performing Bulgarian traditional choral music along with new Australian compositions in concert halls and festivals around Australia and abroad, under the direction of founders Mara & Llew Kiek. Their original Australian works include “Tra Parole e Silenzio” and the ARIA nominated “Sezoni” (Real World) with the Mara! Band. Recorded works also include albums with David Hobson, David Hirschfelder, Tenzing Tsewang and Clarion Fracture Zone, plus soundtracks for motion pictures, short films, documentaries and video game productions. With Mara!, Martenitsa has performed at WOMAD Reading, WOMADelaide, Koprivshtitsa Festival (Bulgaria) and Udine Music Festival (Italy). “Homeland”, the aerial spectacular featuring Martenitsa, Mara! and Legs on the Wall, was performed live at Circular Quay for the Sydney Olympics, the Brisbane Festival and Berlin Poesiefestival and recorded for the Manchester Commonwealth Games festival. “Homeland” was also screened to 60 countries on ABC TV’s Today 2000. Martenitsa’s next album with the Mara! Band (for release late 2023) includes original works by Sandy Evans and Laura Bishop. Over the past three decades, Martenitsa has performed in a number of guises from the full ‘Martenitsa Choir’ to their petite ensemble ‘MiniMart’ and including local Blue Mountains offshoot ‘MalkaSestra’ (Little Sister). For Blackheath Choir Festival this year, Martenitsa will present their 12–14 voice ‘Martenitsa Ensemble’.
Mudlarks
Directed by Alison Jones
Contemporary
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Mudlarks are a group of women who have been singing together for over twenty years, in various configurations. In recent years their song selection has been thematic: songs from Australia; songs from the Seventies; a just-for-fun set called Mudlarks’ Relationship Tips; poems set to music. Apart from the occasional local gig, they have sung at the Festival of Voices in Hobart, and the Choirtly Loud Festival Wollongong, both excellent musical adventures. Their song selection is eclectic, relying partly on what pops up, but always on the lookout for songs charged with meaning. Their own creative forays into song-writing and arranging are welcomed by their MD. They rehearse together on Friday mornings in Faulconbridge Hall, with MD Alison Jones. Contact Alison at alison46@yahoo.com.
Northside Community Choir
Directed by Rose Saunders
Accompanist: Benjamin Au
Popular, indigenous
Northside Community Choir meet and rehearse once a week in the Northside Conference Centre at Crows Nest, under the direction of Rose Saunders. The choir comprises all ages and voice types and performs at community events, concerts and special occasions throughout the year. Their repertoire is varied from sacred music to light pop and jazz, with a blend of some folk songs and vocal music from other countries. Our accompanist is Benjamin Au.
Orange Male Voice Choir
Directed by Phil Rees
Musicals, popular, Australian, contemporary, folk
omvc.org.au
The Orange Male Voice Choir is based in Orange NSW. We have a proud 90 year history of bringing song to Orange, the Central West Region of NSW and beyond. Formed in 1926, the Choir has performed on many stages in the course of its eventful life
Phoenix Chamber Choir
Directed by Amy Moore
Classical
phoenixchoir.org.au; facebook
Phoenix Choir is a community choir performing classical music based in Blackheath and drawing members from the upper Blue Mountains and Lithgow with some from further afield. A group of our singers meet up for extra rehearsals with musical director, Amy Moore, to rehearse and perform a capella music. We enjoy the extra discipline of singing unaccompanied and we enjoy every opportunity to sing. For the Choir Festival, Phoenix Chamber Choir will perform a selection of Hubert Parry’s Songs of Farewell.
Phoenix Choir
Directed by Amy Moore
Accompanist: Janette Norcott, piano
Classical
phoenixchoir.org.au; facebook
Phoenix Choir is a classical music choral society based in Blackheath. We perform music from Renaissance to Romantic with occasional works from the 20th and 21st century. Our members are mainly from the upper Blue Mountains and Lithgow with some from further afield. We don’t audition, and we accept a wide range of musical experience, but under our musical director, Amy Moore, we set a high standard and we perform our concerts with professional instrumentalists and soloists for maximum effect. We are on a journey around the major works of the classical canon – Mendelssohn Elijah, Mozart Requiem, Bach Magnificat – and our next big come and sing event under the SingintheMountains.com banner will be Haydn Creation in 2024. For the Choir Festival we will perform English music from Benjamin Britten (St Godric’s Hymn and an extract from Rejoice in the Lamb) and Hubert Parry (Blest pair of Sirens).
ROH Ensemble Choir
Directed by Désirée Regina
Renaissance
rohaustralia.com; facebook
The captivating ROH Ensemble Choir was featured as one of the choirs in the highly-anticipated “Sing out Sydney!” event, which was broadcasted by ABC Broadcasting. The choir had the honour of performing as the opening act last December, enchanting the audience gathered in Martin Place with their captivating melodies. This event marked the beginning of the festive season, and was meticulously organised by the City of Sydney council. The ROH Choir adorns themselves in exquisite Renaissance attire, creating a stunning visual and auditory experience for their audience. Their performances offer a charming glimpse into the lively and elegant music of days gone by and are often accompanied by a variety of Renaissance instruments. They infuse their music with humour and theatrical flair and never take themselves too seriously – except when it comes to their music! They hold rehearsals on Thursday evenings in the Sutherland Shire and welcome anyone who harbours a secret desire to be a minstrel.
“Come, lendeth thy voice to our joyful choir,
And be part of the music that doth inspire.
Join us in harmony, and let thy heart be true,
As we sing together, like minstrels do.”
Singers Re-Choired
Directed by Alex Pringle
Accompanist: Sharon Simons
Opera, barbershop, contemporary, folk
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Singers Re-Choired was founded in 2018 when the director, Alex Pringle, moved to Drummoyne and decided to bring together friends and family to foster community in the area. Since then it has grown and developed into a beautiful group of singers who come together to make great music, have some fun and enjoy each others company. They specialise in the quirky and the sublime, with the ultimate goal always being to deliver entertaining performances. New members are always welcome!
Solidarity
Directed by Deb Jones
Political, folk, environmental, human rights
solidaritychoir.wordpress.com; facebook
Solidarity Choir is a committed bunch of human rights activists who are also committed to knowing their musical stuff. They sing songs to celebrate the willingness of peoples to struggle against oppression and in solidarity with those whose voices aren’t being listened to. Sometimes it’s via satire, sometimes sad, sometimes a fiery statement of power, they sing in many languages fearlessly.
Southland
Directed by Lesley Challender
A cappella choral music from many cultures ranging from the Renaissance to contemporary
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Southland is an ‘occasional performing choir’. We are a group of friends from a wide range of musical backgrounds who first came together as a choir in 2012 to combine the joy of choral singing with the pleasures of overseas travel. Our choir is based in New South Wales on the east coast of Australia and our choristers travel up to 150km to rehearse together in the months before touring. We have toured mostly in Europe, participating in festivals in Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Italy, Spain, Croatia, Poland, Austria, Croatia and Slovenia. Our Australian performances include the Blackheath Choral Festival; concerts in Pyrmont, Camden, Bathurst, Berry, and Ulladulla; and as a featured choir in the International Choral Program at the Festival of Voices in Hobart (2017). Our repertoire is varied. We enjoy learning works of composers from the countries in which we sing, and we find overseas audiences enjoy the particular harmonies, styles and sounds of our Australian repertoire. Our musical director is Lesley Challender. Lesley is a musician and music teacher. She has directed the Shoalhaven Lydian Singers, the Macarthur Singers, a cappella groups Cambiata and Cantare, and various church choirs.
Sydney Trade Union Choir
Directed by Deb Jones
Political, folk, environmental, human rights
sydneytradeunionchoir.wordpress.com; facebook
Sydney Trade Union Choir (STUC), formed in 1991, is an a cappella choir that sings at union conferences and picket lines, May Day, IWD and other marches and rallies, folk festivals, markets, pubs, clubs, parties and even funerals – wherever people are interested in workers’ rights, social justice, liberation, democratic and human rights, peace and the environment. Our repertoire includes Australian and international songs of struggle – traditional and contemporary, moving and witty, but always with a political message. STUC is part of a network of union choirs across Australia. We also work closely with the Sydney-based Solidarity Choir. STUC is a non-auditioned choir and we welcome new members interested in singing our sort of songs. We believe that just about everyone can sing and you don’t have to be able to read music. For most of the year, we rehearse weekly on Tuesday evenings between 6 pm and 8.15pm at the NSW Teachers Federation in Mary St, Surry Hills. Contact us on our website or Facebook page.
Urban Voices
Directed by Alex Pringle
A mix of contemporary, folk and classical
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Urban Voices is a vibrant community choir based in the Sydney suburb of Epping. They perform a mixture of styles of music in the name of joyous song and togetherness. They perform regularly in Sydney and are previous finalists in the John Lamble Australasian Choral Championships. New members are always welcome!
Valley Voices
Directed by Peter O’Regan
Accompanist: Eric Eisler, guitar
Popular, soul, gospel and folk
facebook
The Valley Voices Choir is a community choir which has been singing for over 10 years. The founding members were inspired by the video ‘Choir of Hard Knocks’, a choir started in Melbourne for homeless and disadvantaged people. We sing a mix of pop, soul, gospel and folk songs. We meet from 5.30 – 7.00 pm every Monday evening during school terms at the Holy Name of Mary old church hall at Myrtle St, Rydalmere (next to St Mary’s Public School). The choir sings under choir master Peter O’Regan (lead singer of The Kites) and to the fine accompaniment of Eric Eisler on guitar. The Valley Voices Choir performs at community events such as the Granny Smith Festival, Carols at Twilight, charity events and nursing homes. We were invited to perform at the Sydney Opera House as part of Opera Australia’s Community Choirs project. We always welcome new members, especially people who have no singing experience, to join us in the celebration of singing. We can be contacted through our Facebook page or you can talk to any of our choir members.
Vocal Edge
Directed by Amanda Nelson
Barbershop
vocaledgebluemountains.com
Creating and sharing exciting 4-part a cappella with artistry and joy. Vocal Edge is a female vocal ensemble based in Blackheath with members who travel from both ends of the Blue Mountains and beyond to rehearse and perform. We are committed to the vocal and musical excellence of four-part a cappella harmony singing and the musical education and vocal development of every member. Under the guidance of Amanda Nelson (Musical Director) we get together weekly to work on improving our vocal and performance skills in a warm, fun, and supportive environment. Our repertoire showcases a variety of styles including the close-ringing harmonies of barbershop, jazz, swing, folk and pop. We welcome women of all voice ranges from 16 years of age and up, who want to sing exciting harmonies and be part of our future adventures. For this year’s festival, we are joined by some of our friends from Riverland Harmony Chorus, based in Penrith. We enjoy collaborating and seeking out opportunities to share the joy of performing our unique style of 4-part a cappella harmony.
With One Voice Choir Mt Druitt
Directed by Wendy Toulmin
Popular
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We are an all inclusive choir that meets weekly. Most of us have never sung before but we have an awesome conductor who makes us feel comfortable, confident and sound good! We haven’t been singing for long and COVID has played havoc with our rehearsals but we are super excited to be performing at Blackheath Choir Festival!
Blackheath Choir Festival 