Voices of Birralee

Voices of Birralee is a not for profit 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 choral organisation was founded in 1995 by Julie Christiansen OAM.


The name Birralee is derived from an indigenous word, Birralii, used in the language of the Yuwaalaraay and Gamilaraay people from North-West NSW and South-West QLD, meaning 'child/children.' What began as a children's choir now comprises six ensembles (and a seventh adult project choir), which have attained a remarkable level of professionalism and are highly acclaimed by national and international audiences.


Voices of Birralee caters for approximately 300 young people and employs 15 professional musicians and arts administrators and in excess of 20 volunteers.


Our organisation believes in providing children and young people with rewarding singing experiences both onstage and beyond the concert hall. Our activities focus on the provision of positive life experiences that see choristers grow as competent and confident human beings.

Our vision
Values sing create inspire
Sing! Create! Inspire!

Sing develop confident and expressive singers in choirs

 

Create            enriching experiences through music and champion Australian     composers both established and emerging

Inspire           develop the next generation of choral music educators, provide   meaningful experiences for audiences and export Queensland’s choral excellence to the world

Our values


Values excellenceValues communityValues culture

                      Values integrity            Values education


Our mission


Voices of Birralee is a multigenerational community arts organisation that nurtures and inspires a lifelong love of choral music in our people and the broader community.

We aim to:

o   Strive for musical excellence

o   Develop personal growth of individuals and the collective

o   Appreciate and accept diversity

o   Discover and honour Australian history and culture through singing

o   Create professional development opportunities in the choral community

o   Showcase Australia’s unique cultural identity internationally


Our impact 

Through our vision, mission and values, Voices of Birralee has the following impact on our people, singers and the broader community.

Sing:

o   To provide choristers with a safe and encouraging environment to discover and develop exceptional musical skills through singing, and to experience the joys of making music as part of a team

o   To create an extraordinary ensemble with singers of all abilities

Create:

o   Choral experiences where expected life skills such as teamwork, empathy, respect, discipline, adaptability and initiative are developed.

o   Opportunities for Australian composers through commissioning of new music

o   Performance opportunities and collaborations within the professional arts arena and on the world stage

o   Pathways for choristers to engage in music and arts professions

Inspire:

o   Develop the next generation of choral leaders

o   Engage audiences with our dynamic and vibrant choral music practices

o   Encourage and nurture choral and other community arts organisations

o   Build community through singing

Through participation in our programs, choristers experience:

o   Mental health benefits

o   Increased self-esteem and confidence

o   Awareness of others and social connection

o   Resilience building

o   Teamwork

o   Citizenship

o   Social Conscience

Signature Choirs

Voices of Birralee has three signature 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 Grade 7 - 12 Treble voices SSAA

Birralee Blokes  Age 13 - 25 Changed voice choir TTBB

Resonance of Birralee Age 18 - 35 Mixed voice choir SATB (post-secondary school)

Training Choirs

The Voices of Birralee philosophy wholeheartedly endorses the fact that every child has a song in their heart and that singing is as important and natural for a child to do as walking, talking and dancing. 


Experienced tutors take care in nurturing each individual member within their ensemble.   Fundamental music principles are taught within the choral context, with a strong emphasis placed on having fun in a joyful creative environment and developing healthy vocal technique, aural perception and music literacy.   


Classes commence from 5 years of age, with singers divided into three training choir levels: 

Birralee Piccolos  Prep - Grade 1

Birralee Kids  Grade 2 - 4

Birralee Singers  Grade 5 - 7

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