Start your child’s choral journey with one of Australia’s finest youth arts organisations.
Voices of Birralee has a choir for every voice, and almost every age!
Who Are Voices of Birralee?
Voices of Birralee is a community arts organisation that believes singing together strengthens community, with choristers collaborating to create expressive music while building a strong sense of self and audiences being inspired by the beauty and infectiousness of joyous performance. Based in Brisbane, this not-for-profit choral organisation was founded in 1995 by Julie Christiansen OAM.
Voices of Birralee believes in providing children and young people with rewarding singing experiences both onstage and beyond the concert hall. Activities focus on the provision of positive life experiences that see choristers grow as competent and confident human beings.
With a membership base of 300 choristers, aged from five to 35, Voices of Birralee provides unique opportunities for those who love to sing.
Tuition is provided by highly regarded professionals who are experienced in their field. Strong emphasis is placed on holistic education, building social and cognitive skills, emotional resilience, and musical expertise.
Training Choirs
The Voices of Birralee philosophy wholeheartedly endorses every child has a song in their heart and singing is as important and natural for a child to do as walking, talking and dancing.
As a training choir, choristers will gain valuable choral and musical experience, while forming strong connections with like-minded young people. Voices of Birralee’s training choirs, under the guidance of encouraging and inspiring conductors, will prepare the young singers to progress into their world-renowned signature choirs.
Birralee Piccolos (Ages 5 – 7)
As Voices of Birralee’s youngest children’s choir, emphasis is placed upon having fun and the children developing musically through the selection of appropriate music literature for children.
Rehearsals for the Birralee Piccolos choir are held on one of the following days:
- Wednesdays 4PM – 4:45PM at Birralee HQ, Bardon
- Saturdays 1:30PM – 2:15PM at Ascot State School, Ascot
Conductor: Deborah Daley
Birralee Kids (Ages 7 – 10)
This group loves the challenge of musicianship, singing in parts and learning to read their music. The self-esteem of each of the Birralee Kids is nurtured, as they are encouraged to present their songs enthusiastically and confidently.
Rehearsals for the Birralee Kids choir are held on one of the following days:
- Wednesdays 4PM – 5:00PM at Birralee HQ, Bardon
- Saturdays 1:30PM – 2:30PM at Ascot State School, Ascot
Conductors: Jenny Moon & Kate Littlewood
Birralee Singers (Ages 10 – 13)
The Birralee Singers are an exciting and disciplined children’s ensemble made up of keen young musicians who love to sing. They sing a wide range of music styles from various parts of the world, but most of all, love celebrating their Aussie heritage by singing new Australian music.
Rehearsals for the Birralee Singers choir are held on one of the following days:
- Mondays 4PM – 5:15PM at Carina Salvation Army Church Hall, Carina
- Tuesdays 4PM – 5:15PM at Birralee HQ, Bardon
- Saturdays 3PM – 4:15PM at Ascot State School Hall, Ascot
Conductor: Paul Holley OAM
Signature Choirs
Voices of Birralee’s Signature Choir program consists of three ensembles, all of which have attained national and international acclaim.
These ensembles provide experienced singers with an opportunity to expand their musical education and to rise to the challenge of achieving high artistic standards amidst a friendly and creative environment.
Brisbane Birralee Voices (Ages 12-18)
Female and unchanged male voices
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 is acknowledged on home shores and abroad as one of Australia’s finest children’s choirs.
Rehearsals for Brisbane Birralee Voices are held on:
- Tuesdays 6:30PM – 8PM at Birralee HQ, Bardon
Conductor: Jenny Moon
Birralee Blokes (Ages 13-25)
Changed voice male choir
Birralee Blokes is a dynamic, award-winning ensemble of young men aged 13 – 25 whose love for singing and communicating good music has fascinated and captivated audiences around Australia and the world.
Rehearsals for Birralee Blokes are held on:
- Mondays 6:30PM – 8:30PM at Birralee HQ, Bardon
Conductor: Paul Holley OAM
Resonance of Birralee (Ages 18-35)
Mixed voice choir SATB (post-secondary school)
Resonance of Birralee is a choir comprising young adults aged 18 – 35 years who collectively bring a wealth of experience, enthusiasm and musical leadership to the Voices of Birralee program.
Rehearsals for Resonance of Birralee are held on:
- Tuesdays 7PM – 9PM at Brisbane Girls Grammar School, Spring Hill
Conductors: Paul Holley OAM & Peter Ingram
What parents have to say…
“As a choral conductor and music teacher, my opinion is that Birralee offers one of the highest quality choral experiences for children in Brisbane.” – Samantha, mother of four choristers
“Both boys have developed tremendously as singers under the tutelage of Paul, Jenny and Julie. Singing with Birralee simply makes them happy. It doesn’t matter what has happened in their day – good or bad – as soon as they get to Birralee and sing, all the troubles disappear. As a parent, what more can you wish for?” – Sarah, mother of two choristers
FAQs
Can any child join or do they have to audition? If your child loves to sing, then we would love to have them! Auditions are only required for our Signature Choirs.
Sing with Birralee in 2024!
Secure your child’s spot today via the Voices of Birralee website or email contact@birralee.org.