The Melbourne Chamber Choir has been a distinguished contributor to the Melbourne choral scene for more than forty years. The choir is a small, four-part ensemble (SATB) that prides itself on high quality performances of a varied repertoire from across the musical ages, from medieval to the present day. Recent performances include JS Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, Rachmaninov’s All Night Vigil, Handel’s Solomon and songs of Percy Grainger.

Sam Hartley, our Music Director, is an established pianist, composer, singer and conductor based in Melbourne. He completed undergraduate training majoring in performance at the University of Melbourne, before undertaking postgraduate study and research at the University of Cambridge. He is currently also the artistic director of The Melbourne Chinese Choir (墨尔本华韵合唱团) and The Melbourne Dutch Choir (Zing! Sing in Dutch), as well as assistant conductor for the Lotus Wind Choir (百合风合唱团), Choristry and the Cloud9 Women’s Choir. As a composer, Sam has also released five albums of original works.

Repertoire

MCC’s past performances have included Poulenc’s beautiful and rarely performed Stabat Mater and Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle, as well as Tchaikovsky’s 9 Sacred Pieces and Rachmaninov’s All Night Vigil at the Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Brunswick, JS Bach’s Christmas Oratorio at the German Lutheran Trinity Church in East Melbourne, a program of music by Australian composer Colin Brumby, and, in collaboration with Temple Beth Israel in St Kilda, the world premiere of Alon Trigger’s Kristallnacht Cantata. In 2017 MCC became the lead choir in a performance of the John Monash Peace Cantata, written by David Kram to commemorate the leadership of Sir John Monash in WWI. This was performed with community choirs from across Victoria at Hamer Hall, and then again in 2018 in Amiens, France. In addition, the choir annually performs at the Choral@Montsalvat Festival of Choirs, which it co-hosts with the Melbourne Women’s Choir. 

In past years, under the leadership of its founder, Faye Dumont, the Melbourne Chamber Choir has also performed with the Melbourne and Sydney Symphony Orchestras, Orchestra Victoria, the Melbourne Chamber Orchestra, the percussion ensemble Synergy and the Stonnington Symphony Orchestra. It has shared concerts with the Blessed Sacrament Basilica of Christchurch, New Zealand, the North Arizona University Choir and the Corinthian Singers of Adelaide. It has been involved in the Adelaide and Castlemaine Festivals, and participated in the southern continent choral music for the opening of the Beijing Olympics.

In past years, under the leadership of its founder Faye Dumont, the Melbourne Chamber Choir has also performed with the Melbourne and Sydney Symphony Orchestras, Orchestra Victoria, the Melbourne Chamber Orchestra, the percussion ensemble Synergy and the Stonnington Symphony Orchestra. It has shared concerts with the Blessed Sacrament Basilica of Christchurch, New Zealand, the North Arizona University Choir and the Corinthian Singers of Adelaide. It has been involved in the Adelaide and Castlemaine Festivals, and provided the southern continent choral music for the Opening of the Beijing Olympics.

Rehearsals

The choir rehearses on Wednesdays from 7.30 to 9.30pm at West Melbourne Baptist Church, 4 Miller Street, West Melbourne (see link below).

West Melbourne Baptist Church

Becoming a member of the choir

Melbourne Chamber Choir accepts new members throughout the year. Ideally, prospective singers would have some musical experience, a pleasant voice, good intonation, and some sight reading ability. After attending a few rehearsals, a short, friendly audition is usual. 

For more information, please email us at:  contact@fdsingers.com