Tuesday April 23rd An early breakfast in our Albert hostel led us to the Australian National Memorial for a full day of rehearsals with the army band. These rigorous sessions are run to a tight schedule. Song times are checked and rechecked, sound levels are set and official protocols are rehearsed repeatedly! We were provided... Continue Reading →
18. A day we will never forget
Monday 22 April 2019 Today’s blog was written by BBV chorister, Isabel Matthews, and Blokes chorister, Cameron Bryer, to give a fresh perspective on the days events in the lead up to Anzac Day Commemorations. *** We began the day by visiting Lochnagar crater, a large hole left in the country side by a bomb... Continue Reading →
17. Arriving to the Western Front
Sunday 21 April Before we get started, please note the Anzac Day Dawn Service at the Australian National Memorial (Villers-Bretonneux) will be broadcast on the ABC at 1.30pm (AEST) Thursday 25 April. Today’s blog was written by BBV chorister Sophie Millar and Birralee Blokes chorister Isaac Kozlovskis, to provide a first-hand perspective of the day's events.... Continue Reading →
3. Making Austrian friends
On Sunday, Brisbane Birralee Voices (BBV) and Birralee Blokes woke to a beautiful Graz day and gathered out the front of the Styrian Armoury in the city centre. In small groups, we entered to learn about the military violence of this historic city, and the bloody past of the weapons stored there. This included guns,... Continue Reading →
2: Exploring Graz!
After an early night for many of our choristers, Saturday saw a multitude of adventures across Graz (and beyond) with our various host families! A popular destination was the Zotter Chocolate factory, near a beautiful town called Riegersburg, where a tour of the factory brought numerous forms of Mr Zotter’s tasty (and sometimes exotic) treats! […]
1: The Europe tour begins!
Hello! We hope you enjoy our 2019 Europe tour blogging journey, brought to you by Ally Dunk, and Joshua Clifford!! Seventy-two choristers and their entourage, have departed on what's going to be an exciting three week journey through Europe, with the first stop, Brisbane International Airport! After checking in and ensuring passports were all accounted... Continue Reading →
The songs that stole our hearts
There’s many quotes about music and love with likely the most famous, Shakespeare’s “If music be the food of love, play on” written for the Twelfth Night. It’s true, music speaks to the heart and there’s been many inspiring songs performed in choral settings that have stolen our hearts over the years. This Valentine’s Day,... Continue Reading →
Day 7 – finale: We will remember them
Sunday marked the finale of the tour, with the choir waking early to be one of the first groups on the Australian National Memorial site. Every rehearsal in the past week and in the months prior, led to this special event of commemoration; the Centenary of the First World War Armistice. The air was fresh... Continue Reading →
Day 5: Our hearts are touched by Allonville
We invite you to tune into the Centenary of the First World War Armistice via the ABC at 9.42pm (Brisbane time), or catch the service live here today (Sunday 11 November). ABC coverage of other Armistice Day services are listed here. *** On the 9 November, choristers woke for another busy day, while also one... Continue Reading →
Our alumna & The Voice AU’s Ellen Reed gets set for Birralee Celebrates 2016!
Voices of Birralee will on 6 November celebrate a huge year, with Birralee Celebrates 2016! In doing so, we're so excited to welcome back Birralee alumna, Ellen Reed to sing with us. Like Birralee, she has also had a massive year - for a start, she achieved grand finalist status in The Voice AU! We... Continue Reading →
Celebrating our children’s choirs!
Since Voices of Birralee began, it has pursued the goal of providing children and young adults with rewarding singing experiences both onstage and beyond the concert hall. Over the years, more than 2,000 people have benefited from the joy of singing with Birralee, and this includes the huge number of young children who have found their voices in... Continue Reading →