Lunchtime @ St David’s

Six Degrees of Sound is a Melbourne based a cappella vocal group which, through the combination of blended harmony and strong connections to each other, create an inspiring and evocative soundscape. Under the guidance of Musical Director Andrea French, they reprise and reinvent music from folk, jazz and pop traditions, as well as their own original compositions. Six Degrees of Sound aims to surprise and delight audiences, whilst always sharing with their love of music.

Vocally Wild is a long-standing, independent mixed community choir where the love and joy of music is experienced by a friendly, cohesive group of singers who create delightful harmony in a supportive environment.

Their Musical Director is Dr Bill Miles and they are accompanied by pianist Ms Emma Lippa, both experienced musicians and proficient in their abilities.

Vocally Wild accepts all singers regardless of age, gender, ability, religion or ethnicity. No audition is required.

Choristers enjoy the challenge of sight reading, leaning some theory of music and singing a variety of music. The repertoire includes musical numbers, classical (e.g. Handel’s “Halleluiah Chorus” and Mozart), modern popular (e.g. Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, Lennon and McCartney), to folk songs, Spirituals, Christmas carols and seasonal songs!

This is Vocally Wild’s first appearance at Festival of Voices, and they are delighted to be chosen to sing at Voices@5.

Brisbane Birralee Voices (BBV) is a choir for young people aged 12 - 18 who have a love for singing with others and a desire to create choral music of a high standard across a variety of styles. BBV, the signature children's choir of the leading choral organisation, Voices of Birralee, is acknowledged on home shores and abroad as one of Australia's finest children's choirs.

The program encourages young singers to develop their vocal technique and attain musical excellence. In addition to the excitement of achieving high artistic goals and the personal enrichment experienced by each member, there is an emphasis placed on the benefits of sharing their gift of music with others and the intrinsic value of music within society.

BBV enjoy performing at Voices of Birralee produced concerts and events, as well as in collaboration with professional arts organisations such as the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Queensland Ballet and for community and various charity events. They are also featured as the children’s choir at Queensland Performing Arts Centre’s annual production of Spirit of Christmas.

Founder: Julie Christiansen OAM
Conductor: Jenny Moon
Accompanist: Justine Favell

Photo credit: Luke Monsour

Somerville Singers are a tour choir formed from non-auditioned, keen singers from the school’s large and extensive choral program. The students range from Year 7 through to Year 12. They have been preparing a varied program of repertoire ranging from classical through to pop and musical theatre and delight in performing whenever they can. This group takes members from Cantrice and Camerata, the two most senior ensembles at Somerville House.

The Somerville Singers are led by Mr Shannon Leonard and Dr Debra Shearer-Dirie.

Sing Australia is a national network of singing groups. There are two groups based in Hobart, one in Newtown and one in Kingston, and each year these two groups join together for Festival of Voices. Sing Australia believes that everyone can sing, and makes no judgement on how well that happens. Sing Australia is inclusive and welcoming of everyone, with a focus on making positive connections with people from all walks of life and demographics. Our emphasis is on fun and friendship through singing.

Clarence City Children’s Choir’s mission is to nurture the love of singing in school-aged children.

Since 2012, Clarence City Children’s Choir has been providing a wide range of valuable experience to young choristers in southern Tasmania. The Choir has sung live on local radio and regularly performs in community events and celebrations such as eisteddfods, carol singing, the ABC Giving Tree launch, and the Festival of Voices.

Notable successes for the Choir include winning the Open Vocal Choir section of the City of Hobart Eisteddfod in 2019 and placing first in both the Vocal Group with Song and Action and the Junior Choral sections of the Eastern Shore Eisteddfod in 2018. In 2023 The Choir won the Year 8 and Under Vocal Choir section of the City of Hobart Eisteddfod. Clarence City Children’s Choir has been a guest choir at Tasmania Sings concerts (Festival of Voices) in both 2019 and 2020.

Image credit: Kate Denmead

Peace ‘n’ Choir is an a cappella choir which started in the community of Mt. Nebo on the northwestern outskirts of Brisbane in 1994.

The Choir’s repertoire is both contemporary and drawn from a range of vocal and cultural traditions.

The core of our music is a love and respect for the natural environment and a celebration of the human spirit.

Adelaide Vocal Union is a four-part, men's acapella chorus from South Australia.

Formed in 2015, the group has strong ties with Barbershop Harmony Australia and often competes in both the Regional and National Barbershop contests across the country.

Bringing together voices of all ages and walks of life, the boys rehearse every Thursday night and always finish off at the nearest pub.

Under the direction of Cam DuRieu, Adelaide Vocal Union has found its pace again post Covid19 and are looking forward to bringing their brand of Barbershop to the festival.

Casey Choir came into being in April 1998 with the intention of performing a varied and exciting program of music from many different genres. They are a soprano/alto choir, open to all women who love to sing. The choir is based in the City of Casey, in the south eastern suburbs of Melbourne.

The choir has a high profile in the City of Casey, performing frequently for the local community at a range of civic events, as well as their two annual concerts in the area. Outside of Casey, the choir performs at festivals such as Choral@Montsalvat, Woodend Choral Marathon, and Voices of Women. They have recorded one CD, "Birds Of A Feather".

This is Casey Choir's fourth appearance at the Festival of Voices.

Casey Choir are directed by Simon Loveless, and accompanied by Adrian Allen

The Sing For Your Life! Choir is a non-auditioned a cappella choir based in Hobart, Tasmania, directed by Jane Christie-Johnston.

Since starting up in 2005 with about a dozen members, Sing For Your Life! now has about 100 singers regularly rehearsing and performing - and half of them are in this year's Festival choir.

Performance highlights over the years have included two tours to Ireland (2016 and 2019), where they performed and participated in the Cork International Choral Festival.

Image credit: Alastair Bett