Continuing our mission to get workplaces singing!
The Corporate Choir Challenge was introduced to the Festival of Voices’ program in 2019 to encourage workplace team members to come together and experience the powerful benefits of group singing.
Group singing has extensive benefits and, when applied to a workplace context, includes enhanced productivity, wellbeing, collegiality, and job satisfaction. Our program blends learning, development, and performance, with all teaching and support provided by the Festival.
We invite you and your team, office, organisation, or committee to form a choir, select a song from our carefully curated list, and enrol in our coaching and rehearsal program led by dedicated choral coaches. Then, perform your song live onstage for an audience and selected judges! Experience the excitement of performing, and you might even take home one of our awards presented on the night.
“I’ve loved being able to see progress from week to week and see the joy and pride develop in the group as we’ve learned the song together. As a life-long choir tragic, I think singing in a choir is one of the greatest joys in life and I’ve absolutely loved being able to share and facilitate that joy with a brand-new group of singers.”
– Danni – choir leader (‘The Power Chords ‘ – Hydro Tasmania)
Many workplace participants report a renewed love of singing and stronger connections with colleagues through this shared experience, and some have continued singing together regularly throughout the year.
In 2025, we’re offering 15 organisations the opportunity to participate.
You’ll have the support and coaching from our Corporate Choir Challenge producer, Johanna van Tienen, which can be tailored to suit your team’s needs.
Supporting the local community through fundraising
Over the last couple of years, the Corporate Choir Challenge has raised $21,300 through workplace participation, which in 2022, 2023 and 2024 has gone directly to our community partner, Hobart City Mission.
In 2025, teams can choose to fundraise with our partner, Hobart City Mission, or nominate their chosen charity partner. For further information, contact [email protected].
What’s included in the fee?
Tax deductible program fee
In 2025, the participation cost will be $1,700 per choir, which is tax deductible, plus a $10 booking and handling fee.
- Participation in the Corporate Choir Challenge includes:
- 2x 1hr (or 3x 30min) coaching sessions with a professional choir coach (value $330)
- Private session in the performance space for rehearsal on the weekend prior to the concert (value $397.50)
- Live accompaniment provided for your rehearsal session in the performance venue and for the performance (value $330)
- Hire of performance venue and technicians on the night (value $1,205)
- Sheet music and lyrics sheets (value $60-$100 for a choir of 15-20)
- Backing track for learning and preparation (value $50)
- Additional learning materials to ensure you are well set up for inhouse rehearsals – warmup videos, rehearsal plans and more (value $250)
- Access to a dedicated choir specialist from when you sign up, to work with your group leader to customise rehearsal plans and answer questions to set your group up for success (value $500)
- Administrative setup pack, including checklist and calendar for key dates and communications for your group, and emails pre-written, ready to copy and send on (saving you 10+ hours across the challenge)
- Regular email updates your choir members can opt-in to, to build momentum and excitement
- Regular updates for choir leaders with reminders on key dates and what to be focussing on next
- Framed certificates for all participating groups & prizes for the winning groups
- Setup of fundraising platform and support to run a successful fundraising campaign (value $350)
- Professional photography of your group’s performance provided after the performance (value $200)
- After party venue for your group to mingle, debrief and party with the other choirs after the performance (value $300).
FAQs
What if we don’t have anyone to lead us?
We’d love to help resource you for this. Let’s chat further! Email [email protected]
Do we have to be able to sing?
You just have to be willing to try! Singing in a group is about community and collaboration, and these are the primary focus of The Corporate Choir Challenge! Even if you feel like you can’t sing, we encourage participation anyway! Chat with us further – it’s a great night.
What kind of time commitment are we looking at?
In general, groups will rehearse for around 1 hour weekly, for 12-14 weeks prior to the performance. There is an additional rehearsal in the week prior to the performance, to get used to the performance venue. The concert will run for approximately 2 hours.
Why has the registration fee to participate increased each year?
To continue offering this program, we need to cover rising costs. The annual fee adjustments reflect these increasing expenses.
Can't participate but want to give?
Major donations will receive:
- Official recognition across festival communications
- Thanks on the night
- Branding on winning printed certificates
- Complimentary tickets to the performance and select program events during the Festival
- Contact partnerships manager, Al McCormack, at [email protected] if you’re interested in learning more about supporting our program
Five great reasons why your team should take part!
- Singing benefits your immune system by reducing the stress hormone cortisol and boosting the Immunoglobin A antibody
- It can forge social bonds in large groups and improve our broader social networks
- It can enhance memory and improve mental health
- It improves breathing, posture and muscle tension
- Businesses that have encouraged and implemented staff choirs have seen stronger employee recruitment and retention, enhanced employee engagement, increased teamwork, and leadership skills.
Previous award winners
Winners 2024
- CCC24 Winner: Tourism Tasmania – “TourRhythm Jazzmania”
- Audience Choice: Royal Hobart Emergency Medicine Department – “MediSing”
- Most Outrageous Costume: Hydro Tasmania – “The Power Chords”
- Most Engaging Choralography: University of Tasmania – “Uni Tunes”
- Most Creative Use of Resources: Department of Natural Resources & Environment – “A Choired Taste”
Winners 2023
- CCC23 Winner: Royal Hobart Hospital Department of Emergency Medicine – ‘MediSing’
- Most Engaging Choralography: University of Tasmania – ‘UniTunes’
- Best Costume: Department of Education, Children and Young People – ‘DECYPBels’
- Best Debut: Department of Natural Resources and Environment – ‘A Choired Taste’
- Audience Choice: Royal Hobart Hospital Department of Emergency Medicine – ‘MediSing’
Winners 2022
- CCC23 Winner: The Tasmanian Law Society – ‘Habeus Chorus’
- Most Engaging Choralography: Tourism Tasmania – ‘Tourhythm Jazzmania’
- Best Costume: University of Tasmania – ‘Uni Tunes’
- Best Debut: ABC News Team – ‘The Choruspondents’