Harmony Day - Combined rehearsals for Piccolos, Kids and Singers
1:30 PM to 4:00 PMConducting Masterclass
9:30 AM to 11:30 AMYoung Voices Festival
Farewell Queensland Concert
Rehearsal Techniques
5:30 PM to 7:30 PMBirralee 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.
The Birralee Blokes performing at Voices of Birralee's, 2023 Birralee Celebrates concert (image: PhotoCo)
Rehearsals
6.30 - 8.30pm Monday evenings
Birralee Headquarters - 57 Carwoola St, Bardon
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
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, 2023
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!
20th Anniversary of the Birralee Blokes 2023
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)
Are you interested in becoming a Birralee Bloke?
See fee information here.
Contact Us to register your interest and organise an audition.
"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 AM
"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