JOIN ACU choir & orchestra / BIG SING FOR A BIG CAUSE
The ACU Choir and Orchestra provide singers and instrumentalists with the opportunity to participate in various ways, ranging from small groups for intimate events on campus, to huge combined ensembles at St Patrick's Cathedral and beyond! Participation is open to students, staff, alumni, affiliates, and community members. If you enjoy being part of a vibrant ensemble of voices or instruments, you’re invited to enrich our University fabric and lift spirits. We provide a low-pressure atmosphere, catering to a range of abilities and experience. Support materials are provided so you can practise at home between rehearsals. The music is often easy, fun and inspirational. Our major events provide advocacy for serious societal issues, raising awareness and funds to help partnering organisations to support the dignity of all people.
Joining is FREE for ACU students.
ACU students in EDES206 unit: EDES206 unit engagement: REGISTER HERE
Others: Register here https://bigsingforabigcause.teamapp.com/
The third annual Big Sing for a Big Cause at ACU advocates for climate action and environmental protection. Featured piece is the Australian premiere of *Songs of the Reef*, music by Cassie To, with text by Cherissma Blackman-Costelloe, a Gurang, Meeroni, and Gooreng Gooreng woman, incorporating the Great Barrier Reef's creation story belonging to the Yidinji people. Collaborators and guests include Essendon Symphony Orchestra (ESO), Climate Choir Melbourne, Justice Choir-Melbourne and many more! Opportunity for CHILDREN’S CHOIR. Partners include Yarra Climate Action Now - YCAN and the City of Yarra.
Concert: Saturday October 10 (afternoon).
MEET & GREET Wed 5 Aug, 12:30-1PM, Recital Hall
Choir rehearsals (opt instruments): Start in August at ACU (Melb)
Wednesday lunchtimes 11:30am-1PM, Cathedral Hall ACU, starting Week 2, and/or...
Monday evenings 6:30-8PM, ACU Staff Lounge (421.7.06)
Orchestra rehearsals Tues evenings 7:15-8:45PM, starting September 1, Moonee Ponds, combining with the Essendon Symphony Orchestra. Instruments are also welcome at the choir rehearsals.
Conductor: Dr Kathleen McGuire (ACU Senior Lecturer, Music Education)
Students enrolled in the new ACU unit EDES206 - Social Justice & Community Engagement for Educators - can do the Big Sing project for their Community Engagement! Available from 2026 semester 2 for students doing a Bachelor of Education
EDES206 engagement students register here: https://bigsingforabigcause.teamapp.com/registration_memberships/new.html?_detail=v1®istration_template_id=18110
Why should you join?
Based on feedback from participants:
| Advocacy: Social Impact and Purpose | Through our Big Sing for a Big Cause projects each year, opportunities abound for deep, emotional connection to important social causes, enacting ACU's mission, vision and values. |
| Community engagement and collaboration | Build lasting friendships and be part of the ACU (and wider) community, working toward shared goals together, including collaborations with visiting artists from overseas. Studies show that students are more successful academically when they feel meaningfully connected to their campus. |
| Personal and musical growth | Fulfilling and joyful experiences, providing a sense of peace, purpose, and accomplishment. Your musical skills will grow and your physical and emotional wellbeing will benefit, too. |
| Feel great about your uni experience | Rehearsals and performances are organised by professionals, contributing to enjoyable, positive and low-stress experiences for participants. |
| Thrive and develop | Leadership, solo and organisational opportunities are encouraged! This ranges from composing/arranging to joining a committee, managing attendance, engaging in research, or helping with promotions. If you have skills to offer or wish to develop, let us know! |
| International travel possibilities | The choir, which started at ACU more than 30 years ago, ha a history of visiting Rome every second year. We are exploring options for travel in the not-too-distant future! |
Student review: The [Big Sing project] was a joy to take part in. Not only is the work important as it recognises those who have died through violence or neglect on the streets, but it also gives those experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity a voice, where often their struggles go unrecognised. The opportunity to work with other musicians and choristers from community choirs and universities to produce such memorable performances was amazing. Rehearsals were the highlight of my week and enabled me to make new friendships. – ACU student.
Fri 27 June: St Patrick's Cathedral, 1 Cathedral Place, East Melbourne VIC. Access the livestream HERE.
Sat 28 June: Preston Market, 30A The Centreway, Preston VIC 3072
Our “cause” this year was advocacy for Mental Health and Wellbeing. Our repertoire and our fundraising efforts focussed on this theme, aligning with ACU's mission and values. Our concerts raised funds for Orygen and headspace.
Also, we received HEPPP funding to increase access and inclusion for students and others with a disability. A co-design team of students, staff and external experts contributed to help improve experiences for our participants and audience members.
Our first Big Sing for a Big Cause, in 2024, focussed on the advocacy issue of homelessness and housing insecurity. We performed STREET REQUIEM in Melbourne and Ballarat in August 2024. Below are some outcomes and statistics, including articles about the project.
Performance sample, 26 Aug 2024
Advocacy theme: awareness of and dignity for students and others experiencing homelessness or insecure housing
Funds raised: $20k for ACU student hardship funds + charities
Collaboration: 160 participants included: ACU students, staff, students from La Trobe Uni and Monash Uni, urban/regional Vic, secondary school students, vulnerable adults, international – LGBTIQA+ choir from NZ
Audience: 750 (in person); 600+ (livestream)
Media impact: 19.1 million people globally; 95 impressions. (See examples below).
Inclusion: Music accessible to wide range of abilities/experience. Deliberately multi-faith, multi-cultural
First Peoples: Involvement with NAIDOC celebration (prayer service). Mob Tix at event. Indigenous guest artists. Audience-inclusive Acknowledgement of Country. Artwork in colours of Aboriginal flag.
Low-SES: $0 participant fee. Free entry for homelessness services (clients, staff) and self-identified individuals.
Disability: Considerations for participants and audience.
Catholic connections: Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne, St Patrick’s Cathedral, CatholicCare Victoria, St Patrick’s College Ballarat
Scroll Magazine - The Big Sing and its Cause (Dec 2024) by Kathleen McGuire, https://www.scrollmagazine.net/2023/bearing-it
2SER Radio (Sydney) Drive with Beattie (19 Nov 2024) "Oboes and orchestral tuning" - Kathleen McGuire interviewed. https://2ser.com/?s=oboes
ABC Radio (Melbourne) Evenings with David Astle (14 Nov 2024) The Conversation article ("Why is the oboe"…) - Kathleen McGuire interviewed. https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/melbourne-evenings/evenings/104578238#
ACU Radio (Victoria) Lexie Jeuniewic (28 Sept 2024) "Big sing for a big cause" - ACU students and staff interviewed. https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/am/big-sing-for-a-big-cause-/104278328
ACU Impact article "Singing the praise of a uni choir" (Oct 2024). https://impact.acu.edu.au/community/singing-the-praises-of-a-uni-choir
Ballarat Times article (27 September 2024). https://ausprint.meltwater.com/print_clip_previewer/499860486?text=on&keywords=Big+Sing%2CBig+sing
ACU staff bulletin (9 Sept 2024). https://www.acu.edu.au/about-acu/news/2024/september/acus-big-sing-for-a-big-cause-raises-20k-for-victorians-at-risk-of-insecure-housing
Education Daily (2024, September 6). Inaugural fundraiser helps uni students experiencing financial hardship. https://educationdaily.au/general/inaugural-fundraiser-helps-uni-students-experiencing-financial-hardship/
CathNews (5 Sept 2024). https://cathnews.com/~documents/media-releases/media-releases-2024/240905-acu-charity-concerts-raise-close-to-20k-for-victorians-at-risk-of-insecure-housing/?layout=default
ACU News (30 July 2024). https://www.acu.edu.au/about-acu/news/2024/july/victorias-homeless-community-to-receive-free-tickets-to-acus-big-sing-for-a-big-cause
Ballarat Times (10 Aug 2024). https://timesnewsgroup.com.au/ballarat/living/singing-for-social-justice/
Catholic Diocese of Ballarat (Aug 2024). https://www.ballarat.catholic.org.au/acus-big-sing-for-a-big-cause/
Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne (July 30, 2024). Link (Facebook).
ABC Radio National (28 Aug, 2024) + 43 local broadcasts. https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/am/big-sing-for-a-big-cause-/104278328
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Learn more: https://aculife.acu.edu.au/ChoirMelbourne/bigsing2025
ACU's Choir & Orchestra provide opportunities to develop your music skills, contribute to campus life, build personal confidence and improve wellbeing generally. Being part of the ACU Choir & Orchestra is an excellent way to meet people, make friends, be creative, have fun, and develop networks at the university. Studies have demonstrated the powerful effect that communal singing and playing together can have on the body's physical, mental and emotional health. Membership is FREE for ACU students. (Others may need to pay a minimal fee to cover the cost of purchased music). The beauty and power of music has always been an important part of the Catholic University intellectual tradition. Quality music is a powerful tool to draw people together to build community, and to make a difference through engagement with the wider community. Catholic universities have always recognised music as an expression of faith, prayer and celebration. We welcome people of all backgrounds and beliefs. Achieve your potential by participating in live performances. Let your light shine by sharing your gifts with your University community!
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E: choirorch.melb@acu.edu.au
P: +61 3 99533353
ACU Choir & Orchestra, Melbourne
115B Victoria Parade, Fitzroy
Melbourne VIC 3065
