Choir connecting across the ditch

MELBOURNE-based not-for-profit choral organisation, Australian Boys Choral Institute are debuting a program exploring the cultural link between New Zealand and Australia.

Ballarat will serve as the launching point for the project, with the concert taking place on Saturday, 6 August at the Anglican Cathedral.

With 35 singers from the Australian Boys Choir, artistic director Nicholas Dinopoulos said the program aims to celebrate the shared culture between the neighbouring countries.

“I think we need to celebrate the special link that Australians and New Zealanders have. The two countries do share a lot by way of culture,” he said.

“The New Zealand choral culture is tremendous and something I think a lot of Australian singers and directors have sought to emulate.

“We’ll be profiling leading composers from both countries with an element of cultural exchange especially through the prism of Maori and Indigenous cultures.”

Conducted by Dinopoulos, the choir will be accompanied by 20 singers from the Vocal Consort alongside Zachary Hamilton-Russell on piano.

The program’s title, Trans-Tasman Exchange, references its inspiration in Australia and New Zealand’s travel and economic bubble during COVID restrictions.

The Australian Boys Choir is the country’s oldest secular choir, and performed at Ballarat’s Catholic Cathedral last year.

Dinopoulos called the new program’s debut location “a no-brainer.”

“Ballarat’s a city that’s always been great to us. There’s two cathedrals that are ideally suited for choral music performance especially,” he said.

“The boys love coming out from the train, and the people know and like their music over there so it’s always a warm reception for us.”

Tickets are $30 with concession $25 and children under 12 entering free. To book, visit bit.ly/3ooHZwM.