Audition Call for Echology - Join the 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 signing 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 Pro 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 up until mid August either in person or via Skype or video for singers based interstate.

Rehearsals 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 Dome Choir and GÜrzenich 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.

 "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.

The choir will also perform the tour program at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Newcastle West, on Sunday 20th October at 2.30pm.