Australian Girls Choir
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The Australian Girls Choir is a choir best known for its involvement in the successful Qantas 'I still call Australia home' campaign. It was founded in 1984 by Judith Curphy, OAM in 1984.
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[edit] History
Founder and Director, Judith Curphey (OAM) established the Australian Girls Choir in 1984. The founding philosophy of the Australian Girls Choir is that every child can sing given the correct training, opportunity and encouragement[1].
The Choir began in 1984 with four probationary groups rehearsing weekly in the Melbourne suburb of Burwood. Within a year, the first performing Choir had been formed from the original group of 150 girls. Chapters of the Australian Girls Choir were opened in South Australia in June 1984 and in New South Wales in February 1986. In 1987 the first Performing Choir Music School was held in Victor Harbor, South Australia and in 1989 the AGC undertook its first International Tour to Canada. The choir has now also expanded to Queensland.
[edit] Levels
The choir consists of 7 levels, with numerous specialist groups. The levels, in order, are:
1. Junoir Music School (one and two)
2. Probationary
3. Training
4. Prelude (previously called Reserve)
5. Concert Choir
6. Camerata (previously called Cantabile)
7. Performing Choir
[edit] Specialist groups
These groups exist at most levels of the Australian Girls Choir and were created to provide additional opportunities for choristers demonstrating exceptional vocal ability. Choristers are nominated by the tutor to be auditioned for a place in the specialist group relevant to their level and auditions are held at the start of each year
The groups are:
1. Cantissimo (Girls of Junior Music School and Probationary)
2. Canto (Girls of Training and Prelude)
3. Ballare (Girls of Performing Choir especially talented in dance)
4. Bel Canto (Girls of Performing choir)
[edit] Performances
The choir is best recognised for its involvement in the highly successful Qantas 'I Still Call Australia Home' advertising campaigns.
Past performances of the choir include:
Boy From Oz with Hugh Jackman 2006
Performance for Nelson Mandela at World Reconciliation Day Celebrations in Melbourne and Sydney
State Reception Dinner for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh
Symphony of Angels with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
Mahler Symphony No. 8 with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
The Ultimate Symphonic Spectacular with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra
World Vision International Women’s Day Dinner
An evening with President Clinton for the Westmead Children’s Hospital
AFL Grand Final
Bledisloe Cup
Australian Grand Prix
Melbourne and Adelaide Cup
Soccer World Cup Qualifier
Carols By Candlelight Channel 9
Carols In The Domain Channel 7
Good Morning Australia Channel 10
Sunrise Channel 7
Today Channel 9
Mornings with Kerri-Anne Channel 9
Good Friday Appeal Variety Gala Channel 7
Recording of the Channel 7 Olympic Theme
Official Commemoration of the Centenary of Federation, Sydney
Australian Citizenship Ceremonies
World Vision Fundraising Dinner
Juvenile Diabetes Foundation Dinner
Make-A-Wish Foundation Dinner
The choir has also sung in many concert venues in South Australia, Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales and have performed in eight international and seven national tours.
[edit] Criticism
The choir has come under criticism for practices which are exploitive. For example, girls are required to leave the choir at the end of Year 12 and then are given the opportunity to become a Senior Leader which entails working for the choir without pay. Also, their involvement with the Qantas advertisements came under scrunity because the children in question worked long hours without pay.
The choir has also come under criticism for their mecenary interests. This is indicated in expensive tution, and tours which come at an optional but extremely high cost.
