ACU Melbourne Choir - introductions and first rehearsal for 2021!

Welcome to the 2021 choir!

Thank you for signing up for the ACU Melbourne Choir! This is one of several choirs running at ACU campuses in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. We had some wonderful achievements in 2020 in spite of the various pandemic challenges, include "virtual choir" videos, workshops and online socialising.

2021 promises to be wonderful for the choir, with many new people signed up, many returning, plus the excitement of being able to sing in the same room again! 

Introductions and farewells

Continuing in 2021 is ACU's National Choir Coordinator is Timothy Sherlock - you will hear from him from time to time, especially when the choirs on different campuses have opportunity to collaborate.

My name is Kathleen McGuire. I conducted the choir in 2020, ably assisted by the remarkable Professor Tim McKenry (our pianist). Tim and I have stepped away from our respective choir leadership roles this year due to increased responsibilities at ACU. You will still see us "around" and we will continue to support and encourage the choir. 

New to the choir in 2021 are two amazing professionals who bring their vast international experience.
 

Choir conductor: Dr Houston Dunleavy

I am thrilled to introduce your new conductor, Dr Houston Dunleavy. I have been privileged to know Houston my entire career, so I know you're in excellent hands.

Houston is a conductor, composer and performer. He has worked with countless community choral groups and brings warmth and humour to his directing style. 

Houston was born in Northern Ireland. His family moved to Melbourne when he was young.  After graduating from The University of Melbourne with a B.A. in history and a B.Mus. in composition, he started my professional career as a clarinetist and conductor. He later switched to composition full time,  travelling to the USA to complete Masters degrees in composition and choral conducting at The Cleveland Institute of Music, then a Ph.D. in music composition from The State University of New York at Buffalo. 

Houston was appointed to The University of Wollongong as Lecturer in Composition. becoming Senior Lecturer and, eventually, Acting Head of The School of Music and Drama. From 2010 he taught at The Australian Institute of Music in Sydney, then in both Sydney and Melbourne, eventually becoming Head of the Composition and Production Program. In addition, he became MD of The Sydney Male Choir.

In addition to his new role as with the ACU Melbourne Choir, Houston is Artistic Director of the Southern Cross Philharmonia Orchestra and has joined the academic staff at ACU in the School of Arts, teaching Music.
 

Pianist: Berta Brozgul

Born in South Africa into a musical family, Berta moved to Australia at the age of 12. She has established herself as a versatile and exciting performer, as soloist, chamber musician and accompanist.  The recipient of many awards, she has performed throughout Australia and with such notable orchestras as the Queensland Symphony Orchestra and the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. She is also a member of the award-winning Clarendon Trio.

First rehearsal: Wednesday 3 March, 4:00 - 5:30PM, Recital Hall 408.G.11

• social distancing (before during and after rehearsal, with extra space required for singing)
• masks worn at all times
• hand sanitising
• special care will be taken with music distribution
• QV code for contract tracing