AUSTRALIAN BOYS CHORAL INSTITUTE TRAINING PROGRAM
Composer Zoltan Kodály (1882-1967) determined to build a national musical culture for his native Hungary by educating children in their heritage of folksongs (their ‘mother tongue’). Promoting the desire to sing, he discovered that it is possible to achieve universal musical literacy and to bring music into everyday living in home and classroom as well as the concert hall. His approach to music education has since become known as the 'Kodaly Method' and has had an enormous impact worldwide. According to one of the core principles of this methodology, the ear, the eye, the hand, and the heart must all be trained together. Hand signs are used to represent the notes of the solfege (do, re, mi, etc) and reinforce pitch, helping children to learn the intervals between the notes.
We at the ABC firmly believe that musical literacy ought to be a goal for all and that the benefits of a sound musical education are far-reaching for aesthetic, academic and social outcomes. So we have taken many of Kodály’s ideals and adapted them to our needs.
Each boy progresses through the following training levels of the Australian Boys Choir at his own rate, gaining not only musical knowledge and skills, but also growing in confidence and personal independence. A feature of the Choir is the unique 'career path' for boys after their voices change: the Kelly Gang for those of secondary-school age and The Vocal Consort for young adults.
In addition to our auditioned entry choral program, the Australian Boys Choir's Early Learners Program, introduced in 2019, offers non-audtitioned classes for preschool and lower primary girls and boys aged 1-7 years.
EARLY LEARNERS
Our Early Learners Program, introduced in 2019, offers non-audtitioned classes for preschool and lower primary girls and boys aged 1-7 years. Perfect for helping your child to map the neural pathways associated with language and reading, develop fine motor skills, learn fun songs and games, and get ready to start school, all classes are 45 minutes in duration, and children attend with a parent. Weekly sessions are facilitated by specialist music teachers with activities tying in to our Kodály-based approach to music education.
Contact the Choir Office today on (03) 9818 4818 to confirm your child's involvement.
PROBATIONERS
Each boy starts as a Probationer for one school semester. Emphasis is placed on experiencing music through enjoyment, and the discipline and skill of singing and an understanding of the language of music is gradually and gently instilled by trained specialist staff.
TYROS
The Tyro training commences the real choral training for each boy, encouraging aural development and music reading skills as well as vocal development.
JUNIOR SINGERS
Junior Singer training builds on the basics with more emphasis on vocal technique and music reading skills. Performance skills become important at this level.
SENIOR SINGERS
Senior Singers concentrate on performance skills, while continuing to broaden their own musical skills and experience. Boys at this level may from time to time be selected to perform with the Choir in public performances.
CHORISTERS
The highest rank is that of Chorister, and these boys are eligible for selection as Leaders in the Australian Boys Choir, the top performing group.
RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM
An important part of the training program are the two residential weekend workshops held each year and an intensive residential camp held in January. These music schools provide not only intensive musical training, but the encouragement of independence and the building of life skills.
CAMBIATA AND KELLY GANG
Cambiata and The Kelly Gang* are groups of teenage boys whose voices have begun to change and who choose to continue their vocal and choral interests. Membership of the Kelly Gang is by invitation/audition and normally requires qualification at Chorister level. In both groups, the focus is on training rather than performance, with an emphasis on vocal technique, especially learning to cope with the “new instrument”. In Cambiata, boys continue their Junior Singer or Senior Singer skill development. In Kelly Gang, some boys choose to develop their musical leadership qualities by learning conducting techniques, and music reading skills are constantly enhanced.
* The name honours the memory of the founder of the Australian Boys Choir, Vincent J. Kelly, who devoted his life to music education and, particularly, to fostering singing among boys.THE VOCAL CONSORT
The Vocal Consort was formed in 1984 to complement the work of the Australian Boys Choir, but has a very active performing schedule of its own. Visit The Vocal Consort website to find out more.