Australia's National Children's Choir - Gondwana Voices
Gondwana National Choral School
The annual Gondwana National Choral School is the entry point for all national Gondwana activities. This inspiring two-week intensive residential music camp of singing, learning and fun is open to all Australian singers aged 10 – 25, including boys with changing/changed voices.
In January 2011, National Choral School will be held at the University of Sydney. Choristers take part in rehearsals, workshops and sectionals under the guidance of Australia’s best choral conductors, led by Artistic Director and Founder Lyn Williams OAM.
Successful applicants to National Choral School are placed in one of four choirs, depending on their age, ability, voice type and previous experience. Following participation in Gondwana National Choral School, invitations are made for further exciting performances and tours in 2011.
Click here to download a Gondwana Choirs 2011 Audition and Information Pack
Click here to download a Gondwana Choirs 2011 Application form
Dates for 2011
| Gondwana Chorale and Gondwana Voices | Mon 10 – Sun 23 Jan |
| Gondwana Singers | Tue 11 – Sun 23 Jan |
| Junior Gondwana | Wed 12 – Sun 23 Jan |
| Family Open Day | Sat 15 Jan |
| Performances | Sat 22 Jan |
Verbrugghen Hall, Sydney Conservatorium of Music
Prices
Gondwana Chorale & Gondwana Voices: $1,330
Gondwana Singers: $1,270
Junior Gondwana: $1,230
Price includes accommodation & meals, sightseeing, ground transfers, t-shirt, music & tuition. Please note that return transport from each chorister’s home to Sydney airport at the beginning and end of the season and travel insurance are not included in this price.
Gondwana Chorale (non-residential): $800*
*Price includes t-shirt, music & tuition. Please note that meals, accommodation, all transport and travel insurance are not included in this price.
Financial assistance
Gondwana Choirs aims to make its programs accessible to all young people across Australia. Bursaries are available to assist singers, conductors and families with participation fees and travel costs where possible.
Please indicate on your application form if you would like to be considered for financial assistance.
Non-Residential Participants
Choristers over 18 years of age can choose to stay off-campus. This gives older choristers greater flexibility to plan their own accommodation and meal arrangements, but still be part of the National Choral School experience.
Gondwana 2011 Season Performances & Tours
Invitations to further Gondwana activities are made to choristers following National Choral School. In 2011, these include:
GONDWANA SINGERS & JUNIOR GONDWANA
FESTIVAL OF VOICES – HOBART
In 2011 the Festival of Voices will once again be taking over the streets and venues of Hobart as singers from across Australia meet to celebrate the power of the voice. Treble-voiced singers from Gondwana Singers & Junior Gondwana will make their Festival of Voices debut as part of the Youth Stream, taking part in numerous performances and workshops with leading conductors.
Dates: TBC
Price: $990
Price includes accommodation, all meals, ground transfers & music. Please note that transport from each chorister’s home to Hobart airport at the beginning and end of the season and travel insurance are not included in this price.
GONDWANA VOICES
INTERNATIONAL TOUR – AMERICA & CANADA
In 2011 Gondwana Voices travels to America and Canada to perform with some of the world’s finest children’s choirs. The choir will work with the Northwest Girl Choir in Seattle, Anima Singers in Chicago, and the Toronto Children’s Chorus. The choir will also visit Vancouver and New York.
Dates: Sun 3 – Fri 22 April
Price: Approx. $5,500
Price includes all accommodation, ground transfers, travel insurance, music & tuition. Please note that return transport from each chorister’s home to Sydney airport at the beginning and end of the season are not included in this price. Homestay accommodation in Sydney will be generously provided by Sydney Children’s Choir families.
WORLD ORCHESTRA SEASON – SYDNEY
In 2011, Gondwana Voices will perform the Sydney premier of Brett Dean’s Vexations & Devotions alongside Sydney Philharmonia Choirs and the exciting, new Australian World Orchestra. This orchestra brings Australia’s finest orchestral musicians together with expat musicians from around the globe who are returning home for these special concerts. The composer Brett Dean (himself a parent of former Gondwana choristers!) will be conducting these performances.
Dates: Thurs 25 August – Thurs 1 September
Performances: Tue 30 Aug & Wed 31 Aug, Sydney Town Hall
Price: $250
Price includes music, tuition, meals, accommodation and ground transfers. Please note that return transport from each chorister’s home to Sydney airport at the beginning and end of the season and travel insurance are not included in this price. Homestay accommodation will be generously provided by Sydney Children’s Choir families.
VOICES OF ANGELS – SYDNEY
Each year, Sydney Children’s Choir and Gondwana Voices celebrate the festive season with an uplifting concert of traditional Christmas music as well as fresh and fun new sounds of an Australian Christmas. Gondwana Voices will take part in an intensive rehearsal season in Sydney before two joyous performances at City Recital Hall Angel Place on Tuesday 13 and Thursday 15 December.
Dates: Thurs 8 – Fri 16 December
Performances: Tue 13 & Thurs 15, Sydney Town Hall
Price: $250
Price includes music, tuition, meals, accommodation and ground transfers. Please note that return transport from each chorister’s home to Sydney airport at the beginning and end of the season and travel insurance are not included in this price. Homestay accommodation will be generously provided by Sydney Children’s Choir families.
GONDWANA CHORALE
INTERNATIONAL TOUR – NEW ZEALAND
2011 will mark Gondwana Chorale’s first international tour! Under the direction of Principal Guest Conductor Paul Holley, the choir will rehearse and perform in Sydney before travelling to New Zealand. In New Zealand the choir will perform with Karen Grylls’ acclaimed New Zealand Youth Choir in New Plymouth and will undertake other performances in Hamilton, Auckland and Wellington.
Dates: Fri 1 – Thurs 14 July
Price: approx. $2,750
Price includes accommodation and meals in New Zealand, air and ground travel on tour & travel insurance. Please note that return transport from each chorister’s home to Sydney airport at the beginning and end of the season, and Sydney accommodation, is not included in this cost. Choristers are welcome to stay with friends and family in Sydney and we will assist with providing Homestay families where possible.
