2. Acknowledgement of Country
We would like to Acknowledge the Traditional
Custodians of the land on which we live and
work, meet this evening and where we will sing
in the future, the Wadawurrung People. We pay
our respects to their Elders past, present and
emerging and extend that respect to all
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.

3. Welcome
•Why we are here tonight
•What you’ll find out
•Q&A
•Other information

4. Who We are
Introducing Ballarat Voices

5. Ballarat Voices …
• is a new choral organisation
• will develop students’ musical potential
• extends students in school choirs
• provides choir for students who don’t have a school choir
• brings together children with a passion for singing from across the community
• offers Ballarat children a chance to reconnect to others in the post- covid world

6. Aims and objectives
• To provide high level choral tuition (performance skills, aural training and
music reading) to children from Ballarat and region in a supportive,
professional and friendly environment
• To extend on the opportunities provided by our schools and help children
to take the next steps in their musical journey
• To promote good health and wellbeing and develop resilience through
singing together
• To build ongoing relationships with people from diverse backgrounds,
gender, age, ability and financial status through our connections with
school communities

7. Approach
Singing is for everyone and everyone should sing because singing
• improves mental health and well being
• involves developing aural, music reading and performance skills
• activates all parts of the brain at once
• creates deep connections between people

8. Environment
Physical
• Rehearsing each week at the hub and in the Phoenix music room
• Thanks to Phoenix for their generous support!
Other important environmental factors
• Child Safety:
• all adults over 18 are required to have either teacher registration or a working with childrens check
• members must wear their uniform, lanyard and name tag to rehearsals,
• sign in and out protocols will be established for drop off and collection
• All abilities space – no stairs, and all other needs will be considered – please talk to us!
• First aid trained staff member, , medical form requested on signing up for BV
• Covid Safe measures

9. Our Program
Beginning with 1 choir for 2022, the inaugural Ballarat Voices includes:
• students in Grade 4 to Year 8, approximately 9-15 years old
• large group rehearsals and small tutorial group time within the sessions
• aural, theory and musicianship training including the use of Mark O’Leary’s
“Sight Singing School” resources
• has a high staff to student ratio, providing individualised educational
opportunities
• A range of performance opportunities that demonstrate the groups progress
We expect to offer a wider range of programs, including a training choir
from the beginning of 2023.

10. Our Rehearsals
Ballarat Voices rehearses each Wednesday during the school term.
Rehearsals:
• begin at 4.30pm
• end at 5.45pm
• take place at the Ballarat South Community Hub and Phoenix P-12
College Music rooms
• must be attended every week (unless ill)

11. Our Staff
• Highly regarded, professional musicians in their own right
• Collective experience second to none in Ballarat
• Highly trained and experienced educators
• Understand the diversity of needs of children as learners and singers
• Inspired by Ballarat’s young people and their capacity in the field of choral performance
• Committed to engaging singers in the highest levels of musicianship possible
• Have a passion for people, music and community

12. Mrs. Lyndell Allen
Artistic Director
Conductor
BMus (ed) Uni Melb
Churchill Fellow (Choral Conducting)

13. Ms. Brooke Johnson
Director
Conductor
BMus BTeach Adelaide
Estill Teacher

14. Ms. Wendy Rechenberg
Accompanist
MPVA (CSU)
Dip. Fine Arts (Music) (VCA)
A. Mus. A.

15. Sebastian Allen
Tutor
Gondwana NCS 2017-19
Member, Gondwana Chorale, 2022

16. Opportunities
Connections, Collaboration, Community, Concerts

17. Connections
• Post-covid connections are important
• Meet others just like you
• Social fun as well as working hard
• One big team kicking goals together
• Happy family
• Loads of fun
• Finding your tribe

18. Collaboration
• Staff and Students
• Working together and developing peer
relationships
• Local Composers to create New works
• Hosting and visiting ‘like-minded’ choirs
• Development of a strong parent support
group

19. Community
• Giving back
• Performance opportunities
• Chance to help others-visits to
Retirement Villages, Schools,
• Supporting and working with other
musical groups; BSO, local bands and
other choirs including the Ballarat Choral
Society on larger projects Ballarat and
further afield
• Links with Gondwana
• Choral Festivals
• School support

20. Concerts
Christmas Carols
Local major events: Ballarat Show; Ballarat Heritage Festival;
Begonia Festival etc
Private Functions/Charity events
Shared concerts with like-minded groups
End of term/year informal concerts
Tours - both state and interstate
Botanical Gardens Concert Series
Concerts

21. Expectations
Ballarat Voices, Parents, Members

22. Ballarat
Voices
expects :
Students to:
• arrive on time and prepared for rehearsals
• be respectful towards each other, staff members
and parent helpers during rehearsals
• be courageous when asked to learnnew things
• make a commitment for the full of the year
• miss rehearsal if they have cold or flu symptoms
• ask for leave if going to be absent for a
significant period
Parents are:
• respectful towards all staff members and the
decisions they make
• inform Ballarat Voices staff in a timely manner if
their child is sick and unable to attend
• make a strong commitment to assist their child
to attend all choir rehearsals and concert dates
• meet the financial commitment to Ballarat
Voices, including membership and term fees

23. Students can
expect:
• to learn, work hard, try new things
• that rehearsals will begin on time, be
well organised and planned
• to meet other students like them from
across Ballarat
• that they will work with a range of
experts including guest conductors,
composers and clinicians
• to be treated with respect
• To be challenged and supported through
the musical experiences they are offered
• to have fun!

24. Parents can
expect:
• Ballarat Voices to be inclusive of all students
regardless of gender, cultural heritage, socio-
economic situation, ability, or school
• Ballarat Voices to communicate regularly and
clearly with students, parents, family and the
community
• all rehearsal and concert dates to be published
as soon as possible, no later that the start of
each term
• each child to improve their musicianship,
confidence, singing and performances skills
through weekly rehearsals
• that their help will be requested from time to
time
• their child will be musically challenged but also
supported during learning opportunities
• that a range of performance opportunities will be
provided

25. How do I join?
Audition process, timeline, costs

26. Audition
Process
•Sign up for an audition at your choice of date and
time
•Students are asked to fill out their information
sheet before the day of their audition and bring it
with them
•Parents wait outside the audition room and
complete the parent information form
•Students will sing a piece that they know and feel
comfortable with.
•Students will be supported to sing a variety of
technical exercises and scales
•The audition process will take approximately
10 minutes.

27. Who will
be in the
room?
Inside the audition room will be
Wendy – Accompanist
Lyndell – B.V Conductor
Brooke – B.V Conductor

28. What should I
sing?
• Sing something that you
are comfortable with!
Do I need a
backing track?
• Backing tracks and
accompanists are not
needed for your audition
What if I
muck up?
• It doesn’t matter how many
mistakes you make! We just
want to hear your voice and
see that you having a go.

29. After the
Audition
There will be limited spots in the first
choir
Parents will be contacted via email and
informed if their child has been offered
a spot in the Ballarat Voices Choir
Feedback on the audition will be offered
to all students who did not gain a spot
in the first round

30. Timeline
dates
Review of all candiates and selection of inaugural
voices
Letters sent out to auditionees (all)
First Rehearsal Term 3 Week 1 (13/7/22)
Membership fee on acceptance of a position in
Ballarat Voices.
Term Fees due by the second rehearsal

31. Cost Commitment 1:
Joining fee
$120
• Once only (not annual)
• Compulsory for every member
• Due after the first rehearsal
• a membership pack (see following
slide)

32. Membership Pack inclusions
Rehearsal Uniform - Polo Shirt
Bag - backpack
Drink Bottle
Handbook
Lanyard and ID Card
Rehearsal Folder
One time only Music Contribution
Use of BV Performance Uniform
“Sight Reading School” online Membership (1 year)
Insurance (1 Year)

33. Cost Commitment 2:
Term fee
$180
Family discounts available
• Due by the second rehearsal each term
• Includes all large and small group tuition,
use of all music and special rehearsal
events
• Payment plan available on request
• Direct Debit
• One cost based on an 8 week term (even
when there are more weeks - no extra
costs!)
• Generous family discount for siblings

34. Q&A

35. What happens next?
•Please come and chat with Brooke, Wendy, Sebastian
•Ask any further questions you think of
•Book an audition time with Lyndell
•Contact us if you have any problems
•See you at your audition!