Why sing in the Choir of Newman College?
Ever since the Middle Ages, university towns from Oxford to Paris have combined university education with a vibrant choral tradition.
The Choir of Newman College allows you to enter into this exciting tradition, giving you the opportunity to sing the great masses of the Catholic heritage, to learn the beautiful lines of Gregorian Chant and to perform the choral works of masters such as J.S. Bach, Handel and Mozart. At the same time, the choir also provides a voice for the twenty-first century, allowing you to explore more contemporary music. The choir is made up of twenty-six voices, comprising eight sopranos, six altos or countertenors, six tenors and six basses. As a member of the choir, you would sing in a mass each Sunday of the Academic term in the surroundings of the elegant high-roofed Chapel of Newman College. You would have the opportunity to revel in the joy of the Carol Service, to experience the stillness of the monthly candle-lit Compline service and to ‘sing for your supper’ in concert-dinners in the magnificent domed Dining Hall, designed by Walter Burley- Griffin.
You would take part in a concert series, widely acclaimed for its originality, diversity and excellent standard. Some of the choir’s specialties include the performance of major choral works with orchestra and music coupled with other arts such as poetry, drama and painting. Music performed recently has included Bach’s Easter Oratorio, Monteverdi’s 1610 Vespers, Cole Porter’s songs, a medieval play and a concert-dinner of music and food from the court of Louis XIV in association with the chef, Maggie Beer. The Choir toured New Zealand in 2015 and 2019, and regularly performs in festivals such as the Ballarat Goldfields Festival, the Tasmanian Pugin Bicentenary Festival and the Apollo Bay Festival.
Choral scholarships
If you are accepted into the Choir of Newman College, you would receive a choral scholarship valued at $2,355 for the first year, $2,610 in the second year and $2,860 per annum in subsequent years.* Furthermore, the College gives all choral scholars the opportunity to develop their vocal skills and encourages this by providing a $300 contribution towards vocal tuition.
Entry to the choir is by audition.
* The full amount of the Scholarship is reserved for choristers who reside in the College. The scholarship is reduced by $1000 for non-resident members of the College.
Residency at Newman College
To make the most of your experience in the Choir of Newman College, it is strongly recommended that you also apply to be a resident student or tutor of Newman College. As a resident member of Newman College, you would have the benefit of living in the richness of an active community with all meals within five minutes of the University of Melbourne. Choral scholars who are resident in the College are also eligible for further scholarships and bursaries at the College. Facilities for music students, instrumentalists and singers in the new Academic Centre are among the best in the University Colleges.
For application forms and further information about scholarships, the audition process and residency at the College, see the Newman College website or ring the College Office on (03) 9347 5577.