Choral Ensembles

2021 is shaping up to be a super choral year. In addition to our annual choral events and concerts, our choristers have two amazing performance opportunities so read on for a preview of the year that includes:

• Children’s Opera Chorus for Carmen (presented by Opera Australia and NECOM in Armidale on Thursday 20 May)
• New England Sings! (presented by NECOM in October)

Singers from K-Yr 12 are invited to enrol (or re-enrol) in a NECOM choir so they don’t miss out on these two sensational events. Enrolment information for continuing students will be sent out in mid-January 2021 and new students can complete the online enrolment page – just click on the tab ENROL and fill in the information: https://necom.org.au/new-student/

NECOM CHORAL PROGRAM
Established in 2004, NECOM’s Choral Program has an outstanding reputation for excellence in choral training for young people and it continually achieves impressive outcomes -  more choristers win places in the prestigious Gondwana Choirs National Choral School than from any other regional centre in Australia, and its biennial New England Sings! choral showcase won the national APRA AMCOS Art Music Award for Excellence in Music in 2013 and Excellence in a Regional Area in 2015.

NECOM provides core choirs to match a child’s age, social grouping, performance skills and vocal maturity. Entry to the core choirs is open with no competitive auditions – every child has a voice and every child is welcome.

CORE CHOIRS

• Minisingers (Years K-2)
• Cantilena (Years 3-6)
• New England Singers (Years 7-12)
• Side-by-Side Choir (Years 7-12) at Armidale Secondary College Support Unit

EXTENSION CHORAL PROGRAM
To provide talented choristers from Yrs 3 upwards with additional opportunities to develop their performance skills, NECOM offers the following extension activities. Enrolled choristers audition for these extension activities:

• Cantilena Chorale (Years 3-6)
• New England Chamber Choir (Years 7-12)
• Children's Opera Chorus: for Opera Australia’s presentation of Carmen in Armidale May 2021
• Conductor Development Program in New England Singers (Years 11-12)

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.

OPPORTUNITY FOR INSTRUMENTALISTS
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 and Vocal Lessons Program. Contact NECOM Administration on 6788 2135 or admin@necom.org.au for information.