BALLARAT local Josh Woodhart has been selected for the Australian Boys Choir’s most senior treble choir, the performing squad.<\/p>\n
Members complete rigorous training so they can perform and tour at the highest level.<\/p>\n
Josh joined the Australian Boys Choral Institute at nine years old in 2022 after his parents heard about the opportunity through friends of Josh’s grandparents.<\/p>\n
“Josh has loved to sing since he was a toddler, and we thought the ABCI would be great place for this to be explored and nurtured,” his mother Lauren Woodhart, who also volunteers with the choir, said.<\/p>\n
“We decided to try an online audition, and from there Josh definitely found his flock.”<\/p>\n
Josh said his favourite pieces to perform with the organisation have been Carol of the Sun by Natalie Williams, If Christ Had Been Born in Another Time by Matthew Orlovich, and Out There by Dan Walker.<\/p>\n
“I enjoy everything about choir, but if I had to choose it would be singing lots of unique and diverse pieces,” he said.<\/p>\n
“For boys aiming to be in the performing squad, my advice is to stay positive and open minded and be prepared to work hard.”<\/p>\n
Ms Woodhart said her highlight from Josh’s time in the choir were the St Mark’s Passion performances in Ballarat and Melbourne.<\/p>\n
“They are all memorable, but the 2024 Bach St Mark’s Passion performances… were an extraordinary achievement for the ABCI, bringing together the boys’ and young men’s choirs with 17th century baroque orchestra,” she said.<\/p>\n
“The whole experience has far exceeded anything we could have imagined.<\/p>\n
“The music education is world class, but the huge growth in Josh’s self-confidence, resilience and friendships has been something we didn’t expect and has transferred into other areas of his life.”<\/p>\n
Ms Woodhart encouraged local families to consider becoming a part of the Australian Boys Choir.<\/p>\n
“It might be the best decision you make,” she said.<\/p>\n
“Choir is a likeminded community where everyone is working together with a shared love of music.<\/p>\n
“The way the older boys model expectations to the younger boys is commendable, as is the level of respect the boys have for each other and their teachers.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
BALLARAT local Josh Woodhart has been selected for the Australian Boys Choir’s most senior treble choir, the performing squad. Members complete rigorous training so they can perform and tour at the highest level. Josh joined the Australian Boys Choral Institute at nine years old in 2022 after his parents heard about the opportunity through friends […]<\/p>\n