BIG SING for a BIG CAUSE

Connect. Collaborate. Have fun. Feel good. Make friends. Make a difference.

Sing with ACU students, staff and others in a low-pressure atmosphere. Bring food and friends! Everyone is welcome, rranging from those with a lot of experience to those who are new to music ensembles. No auditions  -- just bring your enthusiasm. Rehearsal tracks can be accessed online so you can practise at home between rehearsals.

Rehearsals info and FAQs
 

CHOIR + ORCHESTRA REHEARSALS 

Semester 1: Alternating between Wednesday lunchtimes and Monday evenings

When: Wednesdays 12-1PM during semester 1 (alternating weeks, starting Lecture Week 1)
Where: Music Room, Mary Glowrey Building -- building 420, Lower Ground, Room 20. 
Address: 115 Victoria Parade, Fitzroy

When: Mondays, 5-6:30PM during semester 1 (alternating weeks, starting Lecture Week 2)
Where: Recital Hall -- building 408, Ground level, Room 11. 
Address: Graham St, Fitzroy

No rehearsals during the university vacation week.

IMPORTANT: Additional rehearsals will be held in semester 2 with a different schedule. The main performances will take place in Semester 2. 

ONLINE OPTION?

Occasional online rehearsals will be scheduled if there is sufficient interest. Let us know if this is something you need, especially if this will enable your inclusion.

ACCESSIBILITY and INCLUSION

We are committed to increasing access and inclusion. (See our icons below). If there are ways we can improve to increase your involvement, please let us know. We support the Sunflower program. 

WHAT DOES IT COST?

In 2026, a minimal fee will be required to cover the cost of the music and other incidental items. It costs LESS if you are a member of the ACU Choir & Orchestra (which costs $5 to join). You can JOIN US here: https://aculife.acu.edu.au/choirmelbourne/join-us/
If you are experiencing financial hardship, you can register via the FLEXIBLE rate. 

IS THE PROJECT LED BY STUDENTS OR STAFF?

The music director is Dr Kathleen McGuire, who is an ACU academic with international experience leading orchestras and choirs. There are other staff and students involved in leadership, too. If you have skills you wish to develop in music leadership, please let us know. 

CAN I PLAY AN INSTRUMENT IN THIS PROJECT?

YES! You can play in the orchestra. Rehearsals will be simultaneous (with the choir) until we join forces with players from outside ACU. Let us know your instrument so the music for your part will be ready for you. 

WHAT IF MY INSTRUMENT IS NOT USUALLY PART OF AN ORCHESTRA?
We will accommodate non-traditional instruments such as saxophones, electric instruments or world/folk instruments. Just let us know and a part will be made available for you.

CAN I SING A SOLO?
Yes! There will be opportunities. Let us know what you can do.

WHAT COMMITMENT IS REQUIRED?

We ask that you attend most rehearsals (missing a few here and there is okay). Basically it's up to you to be "performance ready". In scheduled rehearsals, there will also be some combined rehearsals after Semester 1 with other choirs and the instrumentalists.

COMMUNITY ENGAGED / SERVICE LEARNING
Students involved in the Big Sing may able to apply for Community Engagement hours for specific units, such as the new unit starting in sem2: EDES206 Social Justice with Community Engagement for Educators. Staff can apply for Community Service release time via Service Central. 

OTHER WAYS TO GET INVOLVED
If you have skills you wish to offer beyond performing, please let us know! We need:

• Membership manager (needs to be tech savvy)
• Access and inclusion officers 
• Promotors (e.g., social media)
• Designers (e.g., merch, posters, digital screens)
• Social media managers (e.g., Facebook, Livestream)
• Recruitment (e.g., Orientation Day, Open Day)

ABOUT THE 'BIG CAUSE' 

There will be a "cause" aligned with the music we learn. There could be TWO causes in 2026! Stay tuned for updates. You can learn about our previous projects on our website: https://aculife.acu.edu.au/choirmelbourne/home/

BIG SING SOLOMON ISLANDS - addressing climate change (rising sea levels)
We are working toward our first Big Sing for a Big Cause held outside Australia. A scoping trip in November 2025 will inform the focus and what ACU's involvement will look like. Stay tuned for more details. 

ACU Choir & Orchestra, Melbourne | Website | View More Events
Co-hosted with: St Patrick’s Student Association , Campus Ministry Team, Melbourne Christians at Uni Student Society, Melbourne Education Students' Society, Community Achievers Program, ACU Life officers, ACU National Choirs, ACU Choir & Orchestra, Melbourne (OWNER), Campus Ministry, Melbourne Performing Arts Club, What's on Melbourne, Melbourne First Year Student Mentoring, ACU Engagement, Melbourne Music Appreciation Society

Contact the organizers