Audition Call for Echology – Join the University of Newcastle’s Chamber Choir for a Trip of a Lifetime
Echology, the University of Newcastle Chamber Choir, is inviting singers from around Australia to audition for the group and join them on a week-long invitational singing tour of Italy.
The choir will host 30 additional singers as they represent Australia on the prestigious International Festival of Sacred Music and Art (Festival Internazionale di Musica e Arte Sacra) held in Rome in November.
Choir Conductor, Dr Philip Matthias, says the trip is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
"We're widening the choir to allow more choristers to join us on this fantastic trip where they will not only have the chance to visit iconic locations such as the Sistine Chapel, but also sing for an international audience as part of one of the finest musical festivals in the world," said Dr Matthias.
Auditions are on an as needed basis (i.e. according to singer's experience), and will be held until mid-August either in person or via Skype or video for singers based interstate.
Rehearsals for the tour will be held from mid-August.
"Singers need just a good choral tone and good music reading ability. Much of the learning will be done in the singers' own time, negating the need for weekly rehearsals; it's a more 'project-based' approach," said Dr Matthias.
Sharing the stage with the likes of the Vienna Philharmonic, the Cologne Cathedral Choir and Guerzenich Orchestra, the Sistine Chapel Choir and the IlluminArt Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus from Japan, Echology will present a program of selections by Stravinsky, Berkeley and Petrassi in addition to Australian composers Butterley, Stanhope and Donovan.
With a long and successful history of performance tours and competitions including the World Choir Games, Battle of the Choirs and the Australian National Choral Championships, conductor Philip Matthias is no stranger to the international stage. Having had appearances in China, France, Korea, England and the United States, Matthias will now share the podium with the likes of Eberhard Metternich, Tomomi Nishimoto, and Leopold Hager.
"This is a great privilege, being able to perform in such an important event as this, one which we look forward to with much anticipation, including its impact to our community and University," said Dr. Matthias.
Established in 1995, the University of Newcastle Chamber Choir includes students and staff of the University along with members of the wider community who share a love of singing and enjoy performing a challenging and varied repertoire. Decorated on numerous occasions with top ranking awards and medals, Echology has been featured on ABC Radio, BBC Radio, national and international television, and has an extensive discography.
The choir will also perform the tour program at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Newcastle West, on Sunday 20th October at 2.30pm.
For more information contact Conductor, Dr Philip Matthias, on 02 4921 8928 or send an email.
