Australian Music Centre | Breaking sound barriers

We all have the ability to sing, and singing is a way for us to communicate and connect with each other. To be in a choir is about being part of a community and you don’t always have to be able to read music to join one. You don’t need an instrument and there are no lessons necessary, but to sing with others can be a truly joyous experience and contribute greatly to our healthy wellbeing. Australia is home to numerous choirs that celebrate the music from a range of diverse cultural backgrounds in recognition of our First Nations and multicultural heritage.

One of the first choral organisations to be established in Australia was the Royal Melbourne Philharmonic (RMP) as early as 1853. In 1880 the same choir performed with orchestra at the Melbourne International Exhibition – the first time a choir had performed with an orchestra in Australia. From the early 1900s, other organisations (such as the Sydney Philharmonia Choirs) followed the lead of the RMP and later this culture of choral singing spread far and wide across the country. 

Australian choral repertoire covers a range of compositional approaches which until the early 1960s included tonal/modal constructs in both sacred and secular contexts. As modernism emerged in Australia onto the scene, these practices were transferred into the choral genre and inspired new ideas and practices. Works for choir now included atonal pitch relations, use of overtones and complex rhythmic phrasing with texts adopted from cultures within Australia and overseas. Compositions have been written for large choirs with orchestras down to the intimacy of a cappella writing for small vocal ensembles. 

One of the most important instigators for change and the development in choral composition was the formation of children’s choirs. This tradition of young choirs has inspired composers to write for this genre – with opportunities for experimentation with the exploration of new tonal colours. This freedom in practice has transferred beautifully to the adult choir and/or professional vocal ensembles. For example, innovation in Australian choral composition has been inspired by such organisations as The Sydney Childrens’ Choir, Young Adelaide Voices, Moorambilla Voices, Dhungala Children’s Choir as well as vocal ensembles that include The Song Company, Adelaide Chamber Singers, Fusion and Luminescence. In addition to the larger state based choral organisations these ensembles have dedicated their programs to commissioning and performing works by Australian composers and therefore adding to the rich and wonderful tradition of Australian choral music. Australian composers who have written for a wide range of vocal ensembles and choirs include Dan Walker, James Henry, Deborah Cheetham Fraillon, Alice Chance, Elizabeth Sheppard, Heather Percy, Clare Maclean, Katherine Parton and Luke Byrne.