The AMV Choir Project

About the Project 

Singing is so important for young people. The benefits of ensemble singing are well known and powerful. As part of the Australian Music Vault, we would like more young people singing Australian music. Therefore we are arranging Australian songs for performance by singing groups. They don’t have to be an established choir, just a few people who want to have a sing together! There doesn’t have to be a professional conductor, or even a conductor at all. Just put on the backing track and have a sing!

Go here to request an arrangement.

ARRANGERS

SOPHIA EXINER (SA AND SAB arrangements of on my side, Holy Grail, Black Boy and Keep a Dream in Your Pocket)

“A live-looping frenzy", classically-trained singer-songwriter Sophia Exiner, also known as Phia, makes music that is abound with luscious layers of harmonies, vocal percussion and vivid pop sensibilities. She has honed her remarkable live show over hundreds of performances across Europe.

Sophia started Melbourne Indie Voices in February 2016 with producer/songwriter Joshua Teicher as a weekly drop-in night in her front room in Fitzroy, in order to highlight the work of contemporary songwriters in a community singing environment. With singers coming together from all over Melbourne, the choir now has 140 regular members spread over two nights as well as special one-off Sing Sessions events.

VICKY JACOBS (SA AND SAB arrangements of Don't Dream it's Over, Lanterns and Leaps and Bounds)

Vicky Jacobs has developed a reputation for her ability to get anyone singing at their best - from Australia's top music theatre stars to the most nervous new singers. She is currently the Associate Musical Director on 'Beautiful: the Carole King Musical' and has worked on many other musicals in Australian and abroad.

Vicky loves to get people singing and is the founder and director of Glee Club, Melbourne's hippest sing-a-long choir. She also hosts large-scale events, corporate choirs and workshops that guarantee to get everyone using their voice (and loving it!) She also writes and arranges choral music which you can find at totalchoirmusic.com and www.sheetmusicplus.com.

CHARMAINE JONES-DEVASAGAYAM (SA and SAB arrangements of Weir)

Charmaine Jones-Devasagayam is a highly sought after educator in vocal/choral and performance techniques nationwide. She has had the pleasure of working with; Paul Grabowsky, Paul Kelly, Michael Bublè, Naturally 7, Darlene Love, James Morrison, Leo Sayer, Jonathon Welch AM, to name just a few. She is the producer of critically acclaimed ensemble Gospo Collective and also conducts St Mary’s College and Pembroke School jazz choirs. Jones-Devasagayam sees no barrier to achieving goals, growing new skills and building relationships through music, creating a generation of people confident in the expression of their art, despite their age. Testaments are The Jones Commentary and The Jones Juniors (both of which are educational offshoots from her music, events and entertainment company, Gospo Enterprises) and The Big Black Caftans with chef, Maggie Beer.

MARK PUDDY (SA and SAB arrangements of Leaps and Bounds and Diamonds)

Mark has worked in music education for the past thirty-two years and is in demand as a writer and arranger of choral works. He is regularly commissioned to write works for schools and community choirs around Australia. Mark is the resident arranger and composer for the Australian Girls Choir and this organisation regularly performs his works for children ranging from 5 to 18 years of age. He has published many choral pieces and his works are performed regularly in Australia and overseas.

Mark conducts and tutors with The Australian Girls Choir, and has been a regular conducting tutor at ACCET (Australian Choral Conductors’ Education and Training) for the last 5 years, teaching conducting to choral directors from around Australia.

JOSHUA COWIE (SA and SAB arrangements of Forgotten Years)

Joshua Cowie is a Melbourne based composer, audio producer, typesetter and educator.

With the theory of music running through his veins, he is able to combine his extensive knowledge and experience to produce music in any style. Composing to a brief, creating a ‘sound-a-like’ or answering the question “I don’t know what I want!” Joshua will deliver a piece of music that perfectly sets the tone you require.

For the last few years he’s been responsible for Arts Centre Melbourne’s recording studio output, including music and/or audio production for Television and Radio Commercials, Corporate Films, Gallery Media and various sections of their Online Learning Space.

KATHRYN SADLER (SA and SAB arrangements of Beautiful Child)

Kate has had rich experience conducting and composing and arranging for vocal groups and leading voice and choral masterclasses. In this capacity she has a national and international profile working with many pre-eminent choirs, Tertiary institutions and High schools. She founded the prize winning Mac.Robertson Chamber Voices; was Choral Director at Melbourne Girls Grammar School and directed Cantabella of Canterbury, including the much praised album, 'Gorgeous Girls.' She has conducted ensembles at Melbourne University and the Victorian College of the Arts. Kate currently directs Sounds of Southgate.