June has been a busy, yet successful month, as we all get ready for some rest over the holidays (final rehearsals for term 2 are next week!).
In recent months, Voices of Birralee has been busy managing Queensland Youth Music Awards (QYMA) which has been a great opportunity to see a raft of fresh talent from across Brisbane and beyond! We were also very pleased to have our Birralee Singers perform at the Section 9 Final which wrapped up QYMA 2019.
At the end of May, our Birralee Piccolos, Singers and Kids did us proud at the annual Cupcake & Cushion concert, with some performing for the first time! We're excited to share three beautiful videos captured at the concerts, where we introduce some of our choristers (these will be shared via our Facebook and Instagram over the next week and emailed to our members' parents).
In other news, we're very excited to announce that Birralee Recycled registrations have opened! In our fourth year of running this program, we're looking forward to welcoming adults who love to sing (no matter their experience) to join us for this seven-week program, which, for the first time, involves performing at Birralee's end of year concert. Register now.
In other news, we have recently announced the Repertoire Reading and Conducting Masterclass sessions that will be held in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast in October. These classes will be conducted by myself, Paul Holley OAM, Jenny Moon and Peter Ingram. We're excited to announce that as a bonus, each attendee will receive digital links to 50 Australian choral composers and their works as well as a take-home perusal score booklet. Read on to find out where to register!
Finally, with end-of-financial year quickly approaching, I would like to remind everyone that Voices of Birralee relies on its fundraising and the support of the broader community to continue its nationally and internationally recognised program of musical excellence. Tax-deductible donations can be made here, which will go towards supporting commissions for Pemulwuy! 2020 and offering scholarships to young musicians.
Hope you all enjoy your well-deserved break!
Kind regards,
Julie Christiansen OAM
Founder & Artistic Director
Voices of Birralee
Tomorrow is World Music Day!
We have a special announcement to celebrate the day and the wonderful music in Birralee and the wider community! Stay tuned on our Facebook and Instagram pages to find out more.
Join Resonance of Birralee!
We are taking expressions of interest for bass singers to join our Resonance of Birralee choir, so if you know anyone between the ages of 18 to 35 who loves music and has a bass vocal range, please let them know! We have rehearsals available on Tuesday 30 July and Tuesday 6 August if they would like to see how the process works. If they're interested, please have them contact admin@birralee.org.
COMING UP!
Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2019
When: 6.30pm, Tuesday 25 June 2019 Where: Voices of Birralee, 57 Carwoola Street, Bardon QLD 4065 RSVP: Contact admin@birralee.org to let us know your attendance by COB Monday 24 June 2019
Gondwana World Choral Festival 2019
When: 7.00pm, Monday 15 July 2019 Who: A select group of Resonance of Birralee tourers Where: Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House Tickets: Here
Queensland Music Festival
When: 5.30pm,Saturday 27 July 2019 Who: Resonance of Birralee & Birralee Blokes Where: Brisbane Convention and Entertainment Centre Tickets:Here
Sai Naidu (Birralee Singers) passed his Australian Music Examinations Board Level 2 Piano Exams recently - congratulations Sai, keep up the great work!
Congratulations to Arwen Abad (Birralee Singers), who has made it to the Grand Festival Music Gala Night for both her singing and violin - Well done Arwen, we can't wait to hear how you go and good luck!
Congratulations to...
In the past month, we have seen many of our choristers performing in their school ensembles during QYMA and at EQ Choral Fanfare. We are extremely pleased to see Birralee members supporting their school programs and 'carrying the flame' within their schooling communities.
TOURING CDS
A note from Europe touring parent Michael Bain and his daughter, and chorister Katja.
Dear Birralee family,
Next week I will be delivering a souvenir CD of recordings I made on the European Tour in April this year. There will be one for each (touring) chorister family, staff and few extras, available in the Bardon office, free of charge. Please note, the recordings were made in many unusual locations, using very basic recording equipment. As such, the volume levels, equalization and quality will vary widely. Most ‘live’ recordings these days are taken straight from the sound desk in the venue, and are basically studio recordings. This CD is not. It’s a true record of the 2019 European adventure; coughs, sneezes, birdsong and traffic included.
For family members who didn’t go on the tour, I hope these recordings will provide a talking point, and for those families who were lucky enough to be along, they should conjure wonderful memories. Thanks to Tony Forbes for the fantastic cover.
This is the Bain family parting gift to you, the Birralee family – thanks for a truly awesome six years.
Musically yours,
Michael (and Kat)
Do you have a Chorister Highlight to share? Be included in July's Birralee Billboard
by emailing marketing@birralee.org.
FUNDRAISING
It's almost tax time!
Consider making a tax-deductible donation to Voices of Birralee to help support
commissions for Pemulyway 2020 and scholarships for young musicians!
Voices of Birralee relies on its fundraising and the support of the broader community to continue its nationally and internationally recognised program of musical excellence.
The Public Fund is overseen by an independent committee which ensures every dollar is directed into the Birralee program.
Stay hydrated this season with a Birralee branded drink bottle! Click below to order.
Do you have Birralee uniforms you or your children have grown out of? Or are you looking for second-hand uniforms? Our Community Noticeboard is a great place to buy, sell or swap items relevant to our members. Check out our Facebook Community Noticeboard.
ON THE BLOG
Birralee Piccolo's conductor Debbie Daley shares why she loves conducted the Piccolos! Read here.
BOOK OUR VENUE
Our fantastic Bardon spaces are available for hire - perfect for use as meeting spaces or for rehearsals. Check out our options here.
