About The Choir
History
The Choir was established in 1988 and named the “Adelaide Girls Choir”. The first chairman, Keith Conlon, subsequently became a Patron, along with Julie Anthony, Peter Combe and Jane Doyle, and the two founding directors were Deborah Munro and Margaret Lange.
In its first year, Peter Combe introduced the Choir to the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. From that auspicious introduction a special artistic relationship developed with the ASO, and over the years there have been more than 50 joint performances and the production of a CD (A Universal Christmas)
Within a short time the Choir was invited to sing with other artistic groups including the Adelaide Harmony Choir, the Corinthian Singers, the Adelaide Male Voice Choir, the Kensington/Norwood Band and Australia Brass. A relationship also developed between the Choir and the South Australian Police Band, resulting in many performances together and a professional tour of the major South Australian Country centres under the auspices of the Country Arts SA.
The name ‘Young Adelaide Voices’ was launched in November 2004 by Her Excellency the Governor of South Australia, Mrs Marjorie Jackson-Nelson, to replace the former title ‘Adelaide Girls Choir’. Young Adelaide Voices now caters for the musical development of girls AND boys between the ages of 5-35 years.
Interstate and international touring became a natural extension to the busy local schedule. News of the Choir’s excellence spread internationally, and YAV choristers became world citizens as lasting friendships were made with fellow choristers in the UK, Europe, North America, and more recently in China. In turn, many excellent international choirs have visited our Choir in Adelaide.
In 2005, the Choir broadened its international links when it was invited to tour China (Hong Kong & Guangzhou), and connections within the Asian region were further strengthened when YAV hosted 'Forum 21' Children's Choir from Inchinomiya, Japan as part of the Australia/Japan Year of Exchange 2006. In 2008 Young Adelaide Voices toured to Japan, England, Germany and Belgium.
National and Australian Awards
National and Australian Awards
Receiving 1st Prize summa cum laude at the 1996 European Youth Choral Festival was a turning point for the Choir. In effect, this gave the Choir an international music passport and an entrée to many international events & hosting opportunities.
In the same year, the Choir was presented with the Key to the City of Adelaide in recognition of their world class standard, international success, and outstanding contribution to the musical life of the City and State.
The high standard of choral performance achieved by the Choir has led to the production of nine CDs including the latest recording OYE! in December 2008 and the stunning Songs of Sanctuary by Karl Jenkins, which is still receiving significant national airplay on ABC Classic FM.
The Choir’s special association with the S.A Police Band led to an invitation to perform at the 2006 Commonwealth Bank International Police Tattoo held in Adelaide.
"The enthusiasm and professionalism displayed by the Young Adelaide Voices contributed to the overall success of the Tattoo...As young ambassadors for our State they were superb." Mal Hyde, Commissioner of Police
In 2009 Young Adelaide Voices has performed in the Come Out Festival for Young People in conjunction with the State Opera of South Australia, as part of the Elder Hall Lunch Hour Series and the Adelaide Festival Centre’s Something on Saturday.
With its outstanding reputation as a professional organisation and with a dynamic and supportive Choir community, YAV is poised to embrace many more exciting opportunities and projects.
