Archive
2010
Berwick information day
June 5 2010
Berwick Anglican Church resounded to the strains of "Black socks" on Saturday, as a host of young children tried being choristers for a day.
Parents were treated to a performance from their own children, delicious morning and afternoon teas, and various displays and media relating to the Choir. Staff and volunteers alike were pleased with the outcome, and we will see a dedicated group beginning in the next school term.
Trivia night
May 15 2010
The Choir's first Trivia night was a great success, with many thousands of dollars raised towards the Youth Chorale tour later in the year. There were games, silent auctions, public auctions and even a display of New Zealand culture put together by Meridee.
Thanks go to all who helped organise the event, especially to Tasha and Susan who both put so much time and energy into the proceedings. Thanks also to our MC for the evening, Liam, who did a great job!
Prelude Concert
May 1 2010
On Saturday afternoon a large audience of dedicated mums and dads were treated to a demonstration performance by all current Preludes held at the Keysborough Lighthouse Centre. It was an entertaining afternoon, complete with a guest appearance from the Keysborough Concert Choir, who were able to give the Preludes an idea of what to aim for.
The audience even got to sing themselves - and they didn't sound too bad! All Choristers involved sang well and behaved impeccably, a real tribute to their parents and the staff of the Choir.
Vicky's wedding
May 1 2010
One of the Choir's staff tied the knot in wonderful fashion, at Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Kew. Vicky married fellow musician Michael in a wedding that was accompanied by the Youth Chorale, brass, and a chamber orchestra.
Guests at the reception were also entertained by a big band, who in turn accompanied a member of the Youth Chorale, Julian, in a few classic jazz numbers. All at the Choir wish Vicky and Michael a wonderful future together.
Rowville information day
April 24 2010
A happy and enthusiastic crowd of budding young choristers were present for an information day at RAFT Anglican Church, taking advantage of the new format.
There were lots of smiling faces and even a performance for the parents, followed by morning tea and a quick chat with staff. All in all a very successful day!
Member's area
March 9 2010
The Member's area of the website is finished! It contains lots of things to do for NCCA choristers and their parents.
Click on the link at the bottom of the menu and log in to browse through musical resources for primary and high school students' assignments, interesting musical facts and even a few games from the Eighties for the parents.
Log in details were included in the recent newsletter. If you have trouble logging in, just email Andrew in the office.
Open for business
January 27 2010
The NCCA office is open for business, and we're all looking forward to a very full year for the Choir. There are lots of events planned and more will appear as the year progresses.
Make sure you head on over to the Choir calendar to see what's in store. The first newsletter for 2010 will be distributed soon, with lots of important new details including direct deposit information for payments to the Choir.
2009
Merry Christmas
December 25 2009
The NCCA wishes everyone in our Choir community a safe and happy Christmas for 2009, and a happy New Year!
Hopefully everyone is getting a break of some kind. The NCCA office will be fully staffed from the 28th January, when we look forward to another great year of concerts, tours and special events. See you all then!
Carols on the Keys
December 20 2009
The Youth Chorale and Keysborough Concert Choir took part in the final choir event for 2009 at the Keysborough Lighthouse Centre on Saturday night.
The Carols on the Keys is an enjoyable and fitting way to end the year, with rides, food, raffles, entertainment and of course lots of carol singing! This year the rain held off, and Santa arrived on a lawn mower instead of the Harley he arrived on last year. A large number of parents stayed to swell the crowd, and the choristers themselves sounded fantastic.
Carols on the Mountain (Ferny Creek)
December 12 2009
The rain held off once again as the Youth Chorale joined forces with the Sing Australia Choir, to lead an enthusiastic crowd in raising funds for the Sassafras-Ferny Creek Fire Brigade at the Ferny Creek Recreation Reverve on Saturday night.
One highlight of the night was a rendition of Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus", another being the Youth Chorale's splendid performance on their own. There was a good crowd and a lot of money was raised for the local CFA.
City of Knox Carols by Candlelight
December 5 2009
On Saturday evening the Berwick and Rowville Concert Choirs, together with the Youth Chorale, took part in the Knox Carols held in the Ferntree Gully Recreation Reserve. It was a cool but dry evening, in stark contrast to last year's version when the sound check was washed out and the band couldn't play!
This year everything went off without a hitch, including our own solo items and many other songs with the Australian Army Band, Melbourne. Glen Shorrock sang, Santa arrived and the fireworks were spectacular too.
Choristers will take with them great memories of the evening, in particular the wonderful sight of all the colourful candles spread amongst many thousands of people. As part of his MC duties, Brian Nankervis mentioned the Choir several times and this was always greeted with a cheer from the many parents who had joined the crowd.
Yooralla Art Exhibition
November 24 2009
The Berwick Concert Choir and the Youth Chorale performed as part of a community art exhibition, with all artworks coming from the children who attend the Yooralla Narre Warren Central Children's Centre.
The Choirs sang a selection of music from the recent End-of-Year Concert. There was a very appreciative audience of parents, children and the general public, and all involved had a rewarding time.
Thanks once again to Margaret Watson for organising this fantastic opportunity for our young choristers to sing.
End of Year Concert
November 15 2009
The entire Choir took part in a highly successful End of Year Concert at the Robert Blackwood Hall, Monash University, on the evening of Sunday 15th November.
Choristers aged 7 to 25 performed to an audience of nearly 1500 people in what was an entertaining and uplifting evening based on the theme "A Night at the Movies". Repertoire for the concert consisted of songs that have been used in famous movies. There was even a standing ovation at the very end!
Every choir performed brilliantly, and the behaviour and attitude of the choristers was admirable. Thanks go out to all the staff and volunteers who made the night a success. The award ceremony that concluded the concert also included the inaugural presentation of a new perpetual trophy for Most Outstanding Chorister.
Special thanks to Mobile Video Services, who filmed the concert. A DVD will be available the week beginning Monday 30th November, and it makes a lovely Christmas present! Download the order form, or pick an order form up at your rehearsal venue.
McHappy Day 2009
November 14 2009
The Youth Chorale performed at Noble Park McDonalds as part of the McHappy Day fundraising activities for 2009.
Last year McHappy Day raised a total of $1.9 million dollars for charity, and the organisers hope to match that figure this year. Proceeds go to charities such as Ronald McDonald House. This performance is a great way for the Choir to raise our profile in the local community, whilst supporting a very worthy cause.
Every teenager's dream - performing at a McDonalds!
Narre Warren Central Children's Centre
October 26 2009
The Berwick Concert Choir together with the Youth Chorale will be performing at an art exhibition held at the Yooralla Narre Warren Central Children's Centre on the evening of Tuesday, 24th November.
The exhibition showcases art work created by children of all abilities from across the City of Casey, and is a great opportunity for the Berwick choristers to add their voice to the cultural life of their area. Repertoire will include several items from the Robert Blackwood Hall concert held a few days earlier, with a few Christmas favourites as well.
Many thanks to Margaret Watson for facilitating this wonderful performance opportunity for the Choir.
Youth Chorale concert
September 12 2009
On Saturday night the Youth Chorale treated an enthusiastic crowd to a wide selection of favourites and solo items, in the warm surrounds of Flockart Hall, Methodist Ladies' College, in Kew.
Repertoire included choral masterpieces from several centuries, solo VCE items performed by members of the Chorale, and culminated with Paul Jarman's entire song cycle "Turn on the Open Sea". A raffle drawn on the night also helped raise money for a tour in 2010, with prizes generously donated from within the Choir community.
On the Sunday the Chorale then performed at the Preston Salvation Army Citadel, along with the Preston Salvation Army brass band under the direction of Michael Pilley, Vicky's lucky fiance. All up it was a wonderful weekend of performances by the Chorale, ably directed by Sharon and accompanied by Daniel Moldrich.
Level 3 Camp
August 7 to 9 2009
The Choir's first camp for two years was held at Oasis Camp in Mt Evelyn over the weekend, and was a lot of fun for all concerned.
Choral music wafted through the trees and the sun shone all weekend, allowing the choristers to learn a large amount of new music in a short time and enjoy themselves while they were doing it. There was even reville in the morning, and a birthday on camp!
Many aches, bruises and experiences were earned during the activities and many hidden talents came to the fore in an entertaining variety concert on Saturday night. Planning has already begun for next year...
Mid-Year Concert
June 21 2009
The Choir's Mid-Year Concert at the Victoria Police Academy Chapel was a great success. All choristers except the Preludes were in attendance, spread over two concerts.
Every group had their chance to sing in the beautiful surrounds, and the music staff did a wonderful job. A past chorister, Michael Rankin of Michael Rankin Audio, took care of the sound and Vanessa from Redbook Photography took group photos before each concert. If anyone would like extra prints of their photos, please contact Vanessa.
It was a very rewarding day for all concerned!
Berwick and Rowville audition days
June 13 and 20 2009
A large number of budding choristers attended the final audition days for 2009. Various versions of "Advance Australia Fair" could be heard, and relieved smiles could be seen as the attendees made their way home.
As always Sharon was impressed by the quality and enthusiasm of voices heard on these days, and it will be an exciting time when the new Preludes start in the coming semester. There were also a lot of smiling parents, especially when they were offered lollies...
Parents can approach the Choir anytime if their child displays an interest in joining the Choir.
Bridal Expo performance
June 1 2009
Over the weekend of May 30 and 31, the Youth Chorale performed no less than eight times as part of the Ultimate Bridal Event in the Palladium Ballroom at Crown.
Literally tens of thousands of potential bridal couples and their friends watched the NCCA perform a medley of wedding repertoire songs, ranging from traditional hymns to contemporary favourites.
It was an exciting weekend, and our young choristers gained valuable experience as well.
Sing your own The Magic Flute
May 18 2009
Although not an official Choir event, all those interested can head along to the BMW Edge, Federation Square on Saturday June 13 from 2.30pm - 8.00pm for a unique singing event.
Whether you're a seasoned singer or a tentative beginner, you will definitely have fun among a large, enthusiastic crowd ready for a big sing. The audition requirements are simply: 1. find BMW Edge and 2. be warm and vertical! The event is ticketed through Ticketmaster, and if desired the music can be collected closer to the date.
If you'd like to know more, visit Sing your own The Magic Flute at the Victorian opera's website.
NCCA at Bridal Exhibition
April 21 2009
The Youth Chorale will perform at the Ultimate Bridal Event at the Crown Palladium, on the weekend of May 30/31.
The Event is being organised by the Australian Bridal Service, with whom the NCCA is now a fully accredited business. Choirs add a very nice touch to weddings, and our attendance at this event will show the bridal audience what a choir can do.
Preludes Concert
March 28 2009
The Preludes Concert given at the Keysborough venue went very well, with special guests the Youth Chorale also contributing to a wonderful concert.
The concert was almost a sell out, which helped to make it a special day for our youngest choristers, some of whom were singing in public for the first time. There was even a little bit of audience participation for the finale, bringing the afternoon to a close.
All members of the Youth Chorale also took on other duties before and after the concert, including sound, front of house and stage setup. The efforts of all music staff, office staff and choristers was much appreciated by Andrew and Sharon in the Choir's first performance for 2009.
Keysborough audition day
March 21 2009
The Keysborough venue enjoyed an excellent audition day on Saturday.
A healthy number of budding young choristers attended, and Musical Director Sharon Batterham was pleased with the level of musicality she found throughout the day.
The venue resounded to many different interpretations of "Advance Australia Fair", some of them highly original! Rehearsals for the new Keysborough Prelude group will commence in the second week of Term 2, on Tuesday 28th April.
EFTPOS facilities now available
February 18 2009
Parents can now make payments to the Choir using our new EFTPOS facilities!
Payments using credit cards and debit cards can be made in person at the office using our new EFTPOS machine. Please be aware that we do not give cash out, and that the only credit cards we accept via EFTPOS are Visa and Mastercard.
Credit card payments may now also be made over the phone. Remember that a surcharge of 5 dollars applies to all credit card payments made to the Choir. A surcharge of 1 dollar applies to debit card transactions, which can only be made at the office.
2008
New premises for the Choir
December 23 2008
The Choir has moved to an office suite in Mulgrave. This location is central to the Choir's venues, and will enable the staff to run the organisation more efficiently and smoothly.
Parents are welcome to drop in at any time, wether to take care of uniforms, ask about things relating to the Choir or just to check out the new digs.
Check out the Contact page for the full address, as well as the new PO Box details. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Change of management
December 17 2008
Andrew and Sharon Batterham have taken on the role of managing the Choir.
This change heralds an exciting new time in the life of the Choir and the choristers. Sharon has already been with the Choir for some time and is well known to the community of choristers and parents. Andrew and Sharon are both experienced musicians, teachers and organisers, and together look forward to taking the organisation in new directions in the future. Three of their four children currently sing with the Choir.
