Raising youngvoices

This year promises to be an exciting time of learning, singing, socialisation and performance for Young Voices of Macedon community children’s choir.

Under the direction of teachers Jess Demare and Peter Hagen and accompanist Cathy Hutchison, the choir has groups for younger and older children.

They are engaged in vocal development, musicianship, movement, language and part-singing in afriendly environment with songs from classical, jazz, folk, popular, music theatre and opera traditions.

This year’s repertoire includes songs by Australian composer Paul Jarman and the exciting new song cycle The lost words by noted British choral conductor and com- poser James Burton.

Last year finished on ahigh note for the choir with Young Voices of Macedon singing with the choirofthe Anglican Parish of Gisborne, members of the Australian Chamber Choir and organist John Giacchi in the annual Service of Readings and Carols at the Church of the Resurrection, Macedon.

The choir’s first major performance for the year will be at the Choralfest at Montsalvat in May.

Their first open rehearsal for the year will be on Thursday, February 2, at the Norma Richardson Hall, Buckland Street, Woodend, when interested children and parents may come along to see and hear the choir in action. Visit yvmacedon.org.au