Established 1986
“Because everyone deserves the gift of music”
“In my song there’s a race through a wild green meadow…” (I Remember, by Sarah Quartel)
Racing against time in Term 1, Melbourne Youth Chorale passed through a ‘wild green meadow’ of picturesque learning. Learning two new full choir songs and building on lockdown learning to polish repertoire ready for performance, the MYC community pulled together to produce a fantastic 35th Anniversary Concert.
The Anniversary Concert featured all of Melbourne Youth Chorale’s choirs, Daughters of the King (DOTK) and The Velvetones. A beautiful expression of community harmony, it was a celebration of 35 years of the Gift of Music. We were proud to honour the legacy of MYC’s founder, the late Jean Heriot OAM, whose belief has become MYC’s motto – “Every child deserves the gift of music”.
The Velvetones led an afternoon workshop including choristers from MYC and DOTK, as well as MYC alumni and members of the wider community.
The evening concert began with an impressive premiere performance of Juliana Kay’s commissioned “Friendship Song” performed by all MYC’s choirs, choristers aged 6 to 17 years old. Juliana was a guest presenter at MYC’s Children’s Day event in 2021 and encouraged choristers to share their thoughts and feelings about friendship, which she then used as inspiration for the Friendship Song. The choristers themselves created the body percussion. It’s a very special song.
For many choristers this was a first performance. Parent Liz Carrick says “My son was so proud to be performing in front of an audience – he’s only little but he was prepared so well and he was full of confidence. A great experience for him.”
The concert wound up with a premiere performance of Claire Patti’s commissioned song “The Gift of Music” which involved choristers from MYC and DOTK as well as past choristers and teachers. “The Gift of Music” is a song of celebration, beautifully capturing the spirit of the choir over its 35 years.
In other news…MYC’s new website is launched!
Take a look at www.melbourneyouthchorale.com.au!
MYC is collaborating with Living Learning in Pakenham to teach music at African Homework Club. We’re loving this opportunity to expand MYC’s programs beyond our own choirs and give the gift of music to others. We’re planning a combined performance at LLP between Homework Club and MYC at the end of June.
Our “Flying Free” Therapy Choir for children with intellectual disabilities has started this year! Children aged 8-12 are invited to explore communication and socialisation skills through music.
We’re having a much quieter term with a focus on learning through games and enjoying the freedom to engage in deeper learning of the repertoire. There’s a lot going on in Term 3, with performances with Casey Philharmonic Orchestra in July, our Big Sing community workshops event in August and performing with Opera Australia in Barber of Seville in September.
Thanks for coming with us on the journey!
