Birralee Blokes

Exciting plans for 2023

20th Anniversary of the Birralee Blokes
In 2023 the groundbreaking Birralee Blokes celebrate their 20th birthday. Events during the year will celebrate the group and it's members past and present. Join us for the party.

Pemulwuy National Male Voice Festival
From 7 - 9 July the Birralee Blokes will be a host ensemble for the Pemulwuy Festival which brings together boys, young men and adult males to sing together for three days culminating in a concert in the Concert Hall of the Queensland Performing Arts Centre. This event only occurs every three years and duer to Covid hasn't happened since 2017.
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Who are they?

Birralee Blokes is a dynamic, award-winning ensemble of young men aged 13 – 25 whose love for singing and communicating good music has fascinated and captivated audiences around Australia and the world. Since its inception in 2003 the ensemble has performed for various musical and charity organisations and toured nationally and internationally, including to Cornwall, UK, Canada and France. 


Highlights for the choir has included winning Choir of the World at Kathaumixw in 2012 in Canada and at home winning the ABC Classic FM Choral Competition in 2006 where in addition to being judged Youth Choir of the Year and receiving the Listeners’ Choice Award they were named the ABC Classic FM Choir of the Year.


Membership is drawn from state and independent secondary schools and universities and there is a strong emphasis placed on inclusion for any young man who enjoys singing and expresses a desire to develop as a musician. What is so very exciting about their success is that ensembles which exclusively attract young men are very rare. Not only are ‘The Blokes’ providing a secure environment for young men to explore their changing voices, but they are proving that the art form is as inspiring as it is unique. 


Register Now

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Voices of  Birralee  Poppies &  Poems 2- 9- 18 0089
The Birralee Blokes perform at Voices of Birralee's Poppies & Poems (image: Darren Thomas) 

What do they sound like?


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When do they rehearse?

Rehearsals

6.30 - 8.30pm Monday evenings

Birralee Headquarters - 57 Carwoola St, Bardon

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Choir Staff

Artistic Team

Conductor: Paul Holley OAM

Assistant Conductor: William Brown

Accompanist: Justine Favell


Volunteer Team

Choir Managers: Dominik Suschinsky & Brigitte Deeb

Choir Librarian:      Tania Phillips

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How to Join

Are you interested in becoming a Birralee Bloke?

See fee information here

Contact Us to register your interest and organise an audition.

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Highlights

Touring & Festival highlights: 

Europe Tour 2019

With BBV the Blokes toured Austria, Croatia, Slovenia and concluding in France for the Anzac Day Dawn Service at at the Australian National Memorial, in Villers-Bretonneux. 

Anzac Day, France 2017

Birralee Blokes choristers joined choristers from Brisbane Birralee Voices to tour France for the 2017 Anzac Day Dawn Service at the Australian National Memorial, in Villers-Bretonneux. This was a part of the five year commitment to the Department of Veterans' Affairs. 


Pemulwuy! National Male Voice Festival 2008, 2011, 2014, 2017

Choir of the World at Kathaumixw, Canada 2012

3rd International Male Voice Festival, Cornwall, UK     2007 

Men of Song Male Voice Festival, Bunbury, Australia  2015 


Performance Highlights!

Queensland Pops Orchestra Celtic Mist 2019
Queensland Music Festival's Help Is On It's Way 2019

The Lights of St Stephen's  2018 

Side by Side Concert  2018

Kenmore Uniting Church, Cool & Classic Series  2018 

Combined Choral Concert with Marist Brothers Ashgrove 2016 & 2018 

Channel 7 Battle of the Choirs  2008


Other regular performances: 

ANCA Choralfest Conference 

KMEIA National Conference 

Brisbane City Council Citizenship Ceremonies 


CDs: 

Towards Infinity (2011)

Walls Come Tumblin’ Down (2006) 

ABC Classic FM Choir of the year (2006) 

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Reviews

"The Birralee Blokes have done for male singing what ‘Billy Elliot’ did for male dancing."

Dr Jonathon Welch AM

 

"The Birralee Blokes came along and singing for young men and boys in this country has never been the same since."

     Lyn Williams OAM

 

"A performance by the Birralee Blokes is both an aural and visual treat providing a perfect blend of fine music making firmly rooted in all that is good about Australian culture."

         Dr Christopher Kiver    

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