About the TCS Youth Choir

The Toowoomba Choral Society Youth Choir is a non-auditioned community choir for children and youth aged 5 – 18 years. The Youth Choir provides a widely varied program of training and performance whilst providing opportunities to make friends with similar interests and have fun! Choir Members develop an interest in the skills of choral singing and aural musicianship, helping them build self-confidence and a sense of teamwork.

Our choirs rehearse on Tuesday evenings during the state school terms at Choral Hall.

Children are welcome to come to two rehearsals as a trial before registering as members. Registration and fees need to be finalised before a uniform can be issued or the child can perform with the choir.

The four choirs that make up the Youth Choir include:

Hummingbirds (Training Choir)

For Prep to Year 4

This choir introduces young singers to a fun choral environment and provides an opportunity for them to develop their pitch and listening skills. It also teaches basic choir skills such as paying attention and performance. In the past,  Members of the Hummingbirds who are 10 year old are also welcome to sing with the Youth Choir. This choir performs once or twice a year as part of the TCS events and usually at a Christmas event. Performing is optional but encouraged.

Rehearsals: Tuesday 5:15pm to 5:45pm

Youth Choir

Ages 10-18

Youth Choir provides a widely varied program of training and performance. We recognise that many choir members participate in multiple activities and we like to keep performance commitments at a level that makes it possible to ensure the best level of participation from members. The highlight of the year for Youth Choir is the Annual Holiday Production. This activity involves approximately 100 students rehearsing for two weeks, culminating in two performances at the Empire Theatre.

Rehearsals: Tuesday 6:00pm to 7:00pm

Harmonics

Grade 8 – 12

The Harmonics provide an opportunity for older students to learn more challenging repertoire. It is an extension of the Youth Choir, rather than a separate choir. This group sometimes combine with Contemporary Choral for joint performances.

Rehearsals: Tuesday 7:00pm to 7:45pm 

The John Penny Singers

A small group of 15-20 singers selected by audition from the Harmonics.  Our only auditioned choir, the students will often represent the Youth Choir at smaller performances and events.

Rehearsals: Tuesday 7:45pm to 8:30pm
 

Performances

Prior notification is provided about performances which may differ from year to year, but typical performances include:

• Toowoomba Eisteddfod 
• Fundraising concerts with other local ensembles
• Holiday musical production mid-year – June/July holidays
• Paul Morton Festival
• Community events and functions (e.g: ANZAC Day)
• Combined concerts with other choirs in the Society
• Christmas concerts and events:
  • Mayors Christmas Carols
  • Highfields Carols in Peacehaven park
  • Lions Christmas lights in Queens Park
  • Christmas Tree Festival

Uniform

As part of the membership fees, student in the Youth/Harmonics choirs will be issued with a white shirt and choir vest for performances which are returned at the end of the year. Hummingbirds will be loaned a polo shirt when required for performances. The John Penny Singers often perform in their own ‘Glam Blacks.’

Youth Choir Team

Conductor: Elliott Pflaum

Elliot Bio

Accompanist:

Bios

 

Hummingbirds Conductor: Leisa Johnston

Leisa is a registered primary school teacher with 10 years of classroom experience both here and in Scotland. She now runs her own music studio teaching Kindermusik to hundreds of our youngest musicians from birth to age 7.

Some of Leisa’s fondest memories are of singing in choirs and being part of the arts. She sang with the Dalby Junior Choral Society during her primary and secondary school years as well as her school choirs. While she was studying teaching in Brisbane, she sang with the Queensland Youth Choir. Once teaching, Leisa was the lead singer in a covers band working around Toowoomba and the region.

With four of her own children who have been members of TCSYC for the past 13 years, it has been a delight to be able to teach more little people the joy of making beautiful music together.

 

Hummingbirds Accompanist:

The Youth choirs are managed by a team of parent volunteers who meet monthly.

	Youth Choir Convener: Leisa Johnston This is where we add information about the role

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	Youth Choir Treasurer: Melanie Wilkes

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