Thank you to those who sent so many lovely messages congratulating Richard and I on our 25th wedding anniversary. Our relationship has grown in parallel to Voices of Birralee (VoB) and it has been an amazing 25 years where I have been surrounded by incredibly talented and supportive colleagues and where my involvement with thousands of young singers in Australia and abroad has been a constant source of fulfilment.
During a time, which has been one of the most challenging years for all music makers, I have had time to reflect on the significant influence we have had on so many lives and the accomplishments which we have achieved. Leading VoB from its foundation and witnessing the growth into what is now such a highly regarded and vibrant organisation has been an extraordinary privilege.
Upon such reflection and in the absence of an opportunity to make an announcement at a public concert, it gives me great pleasure to hand over the Artistic Direction of Voices of Birralee to Paul Holley OAM and to acknowledge the enormous role which he has played since joining our team in 2003. Paul’s brilliance and artistry has expanded the fine reputation of our children’s choirs into realms of championing male voices and world class young adult ensembles. For many years it has been an honour to share our mutual passion for music making and to recognise Paul’s leadership skills and inherent humility, even amidst the finest of achievements.
As we move into a new phase for VoB, I realise that there are so many people to whom I am indebted. To name just a few I must acknowledge Justine Favell who began this journey with me in 1995 and who insightfully said to me in 1999 ‘Are you going to send in Birralee’s audition tape to be selected as Australian reps at World of Children’s Choirs 2001 in Vancouver?’ That was our very first international exposure…the rest is history. Justine is the most beautiful player and she has given so much to me personally and musically. I am incredibly grateful to her.
It has been a great joy in recent times, to see the foundation children’s choir ‘Brisbane Birralee Voices’ achieving outstanding results under the new direction of Jenny Moon. Jenny has upheld everything I love about the amazing sound of children’s voices and I am incredibly grateful that she was willing to take the baton in 2018 and lead BBV into its next exciting chapter.
I am also sincerely grateful to Lyn Williams AM, Deborah Munro & Mark O’Leary OAM who accepted me into the Australian choral music elite many years ago and who wholeheartedly supported the emergence of VoB into the international choral world. They, along with so many other incredible musicians offered me mentoring and friendship.
This year has introduced me to the tranquillity of semi-retirement and has been a striking contrast to the frenetic paced lifestyle which I have enjoyed immensely. Whilst I look forward to being involved in VoB’s future directions, my main focus for now is on family health matters and in particular my mother, whose health is declining.
As I have been on leave during the COVID19 pandemic, I realise how much I have missed being a part of the amazing team who keep the wheels in motion on a daily basis and who tirelessly uphold the program. I have missed weekly rehearsals with such great kids and I have missed sharing the stage with such incredible musicians whose friendship and love means the world to me. Isaac Newton acknowledged that he could see further by standing on the shoulders of giants, but I have been blessed to stand beside giants and together we have achieved more than I would have ever imagined.
I wish Paul many years of fulfilment as VoB Artistic Director and look forward to supporting him in this role for another 25years! I know that we all look forward to a time in the near future when we can come together as a community in a safe and relaxed way and where we can celebrate the power and joy which music brings to our lives.
Kind regards
Julie Christiansen OAM
Founder of Voices of Birralee