Resonance of Birralee
Who are they?
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. This ensemble performs music from classical to contemporary with a special emphasis on Australian choral music. In the last two years they have premiered several new works including the first two in a series of compositions inspired by the artwork of Vincent van Gogh written by Luke Byrne and Carl Crossin. At their 2022 Queensland in Song Concert they presented premieres of a new work in collaboration with composer Charulatha Mani inspired by the Brisbane River and a choral version of a song by Brisbane singer/songwriter Jo Davie.
Their strengths as an ensemble include their expertise in a broad range of music styles and their ability to adapt their program to suit any event. Resonance have performed with high profile Australian and international artists including John Farnham, Katie Noonan, Kate Ceberano and Josh Groban and with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra and Queensland Pops Orchestra. Their most recent collaborations with the QSO include Handel’s Messiah in 2022 and, Cinematic and Paul Rissmann’s The Lost Thing in 2023.
Following on from the formation of a Birralee Tenth Anniversary Alumni Choir in 2005, Resonance of Birralee was formed under the leadership of Paul Holley. Since then, choristers have enjoyed a range of high-quality singing opportunities. A major highlight for the ensemble was being selected to represent Australia singing at the First World War Centenary Commemorations on the Western Front from 2015 - 2018.
Resonance of Birralee performing at Voices of Birralee's, 2023 Birralee Celebrates concert (image: PhotoCo)
Key information
Rehearsals
Tuesday 7.00 - 9.00pm
Brisbane Girls Grammar School
Artistic Team
Conductors: Paul Holley OAM & Peter Ingram
Assistant Conductor: Brendan Murtagh
Accompanists: Brendan Murtagh & Cara Tran
Volunteer Team
Choir Manager: Sue Holley
Uniform
Formal: Black formal outfit
Informal: Black trousers/socks/shoes, black Birralee polo shirt
How to join
Please note:Resonance is an auditioned ensemble. Auditions take place in January each year or throughout the year if places become available. Auditions for 2026 are still welcome for tenors and basses. There are currently no places available for sopranos and altos but you can audition for a waiting list for when places become available.
Fee information:Please refer to information here.
Enrolment:Please click hereto enrol for 2026
History & Highlights!
Following on from the formation of a Birralee Tenth Anniversary Alumni Choir in 2005, Resonance of Birralee was formed under the leadership of Paul Holley. Since, choristers have enjoyed a range of high quality singing opportunities. One of their strengths as an ensemble is their expertise and appreciation of a broad range of music styles and their ability to adapt their program to suit any event.
Performance Highlights
The choir regularly performs their own concerts including staged performances of Annelies by James Whitbourn and The Armed Man by Karl Jenkins in recent years. In addition they have also worked with many performance groups including:
Queensland Symphony Orchestra's
Home Alone in concert 2025
Harry Potter in concert 2025
Opera Gala 2024
Cinematic Blockbusters and Beyond 2023
Messiah 2022
Blue Planet II 2019
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban 2018
Mahler Symphony #3 2018
Carl Orff Carmina Burana 2016
Busoni Piano Concerto 2014
Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers 2012
Brisbane Excelsior Band's A Christmas Spectacular 2018
Queensland Music Festival's Absolutely Everybody 2021
Queensland Music Festival's Help Is On It's Way 2019
Queensland Music Festival's You're the Voice 2017
Queensland Pops Orchestra's Best of British 2018
Queensland Science Festival's Close Encounters of the Third Kind 2018
QPAC's Spirit of Christmas 2015, 2016, 2017
Gold Coast Commonwealth Games Opening & Closing Ceremonies 2018
Touring:
Western Front Anzac Centenary Touring Commitment (2015 - 2018)
Choristers have been regularly drawn from Resonance of Birralee to fulfil our five year commitment to the Department of Veterans' Affairs, including:
- Anzac Day, France (2015, 2016, 2018)
- Centenary of the Battle of Fromelles and Pozieres, France (2016)
- Centenary of the Battle of Polygon Wood, Belgium (2017)
- Centenary of the Battle of Villers-Bretonneux, France (2018)
- Centenary of the Battle of Hamel (2018)
- Centenary of the First World War Armistice, France (2018).
- Adelaide for Choral Exchange with the Adelaide Elder Conservatorium Chorale
International Choir Festival, Kazakhstan (2018)
Eight choristers drawn from Resonance of Birralee toured Kazakhstan for the International - Voice of the World choral festival in Astana. This was an exceptional experience, where our choristers performed as a small chamber choir, as well as in a 400 person massed choir.
World Choir Games, Austria (2008)
Resonance of Birralee were presented both Gold and Silver medals at the World Choir Games in Graz, Austria in popular vocal and gospel categories.
CDs:
Sleep and Dreams (April 2009)
Sing For Australia (2010)
.... so far (2012)
Sing We Now Of Christmas (2012)
Official partners of Voices of Birralee
Associate Sponsors
What's new?
Voices of Birralee acknowledges the Traditional Owners of this country and recognise their continuing connection the land, water and culture. In our organisation, we recognise the Turrbal and Jagera Peoples as the traditional custodians of Meanjin land. We pay our respects to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, and to their Elders past, present and emerging.