NECOM’s Choral Program, established in 2004, has achieved an outstanding reputation for excellence in choral training for young people and it continually achieves impressive outcomes - more choristers are given places in the prestigious Gondwana Choirs National Choral School than from any other regional centre in Australia, and its biennial New England Sings! choral showcases won the national APRA AMCOS Art Music Award for Excellence in Music in 2013 and Excellence in a Regional Area in 2015.
NECOM provides choirs to match children's age, social grouping, performance skills and vocal maturity. Entry to the choirs is either open (no competitive auditions) or via auditions for extension choirs.
- Minisingers (Years K-2)
- Cantilena Singers (Years 3-6)
- Cantilena Chorale (Years 3-6) - extension choir
- New England Singers (Years 7-12)
- New England Chamber Choir (Years 7-12) - extension choir
- Side-by-Side Choir (Years 7-12) at Armidale High School Support Unit
- Children's Opera Chorus: for Opera Australia and Opera in the Paddock
- Conductor Mentoring Program (Year 11)
Each choir nurtures a love for music and aspiration to achieve excellence in vocal performance, technique and music literacy skills. Rehearsals are presented by an experienced choral conductor and accompanist in a friendly and inspiring environment that encourages children and young adults to make lifelong friends and develop their self-confidence and creative expression.
Choirs have 8-9 weekly rehearsals each term and begin with a 5-10 minutes warm-up that focuses on techniques for good vocal tone quality and vocal health, essential for the developing voice. A variety of repertoire (including popular and contemporary music, classical music, music from other cultures, spirituals, Jazz, Broadway and Australian music is covered for performance concerts throughout the year.
Extension choirs are a component of NECOM's Choral Program aimed to give talented choristers the opportunity to sing more challenging repertoire. Entry is via audition. The extension choirs are:
- Cantilena Chorale
- New England Chamber Choir
CHOIR REHEARSALS
| Minisingers | Wednesday 4- 4:45pm |
| Cantilena Singers | Wednesday 4-5pm |
| Cantilena Chorale | Wednesday 5-5.30pm |
| New England Singers | Monday 4 -5:15pm |
| New England Chamber Choir | Monday 5.15-6pm |
| Side-by-Side Choir | Project based at AHS |
Download Choral Information and Enrolment forms:
Choral Program Information 2020
Choral Program Enrol Form 2020
Special Initiative
To encourage instrumentalists to join a choir, NECOM's initiative 'If you can sing it, you can play it' offers a generous Choral Fee discount of $20/term to all NECOM students concurrently enrolled in the Foundation Music Program or Instrumental Lessons Program.