Junior and Senior Choir

Rehearsals are every Thursday

Students at St Mary's have the opportunity to join Junior Choir or Senior Choir during their schooling. These Choirs are directed by our Music teacher, Matthew Farthing. Both choirs complete vocal warm ups at the beginning of each rehearsal to learn and practise safe and correct vocal technique including breathing, posture, physical exercises, resonance, intonation, articulation and register training. While both choirs place the same importance on vocal technique, their repertoire and areas of focus differ to suit the age range of the members.

The St Mary's Junior Choir is offered to students in Year 1 to Year 3 and rehearses during lunch at lunchtime on Thursdays. This choir promotes the joy of singing and gives students the opportunity to build their confidence, develop their musical knowledge, work as part of a group and have fun. Students will work on songs in unison and simple 2 part arrangements, focusing on following the conductor, using dynamics and expression, holding their part in round-form and call/response style arrangements and finding meaning in the music they are singing.

The St Mary's Senior Choir is offered to students in Year 4 to Year 6 and rehearses before school at 8:00am on Thursdays. This choir builds from the Junior Choir and enhances students' musicality and performance skills. Students will work on 2-part arrangements, in unison and in harmony, and learn to read musical scores including musical terminology such as dynamics and tempo markings. Students will further develop their choral skills by focusing on breathing and vocal technique, and demonstrating correct posture and choral discipline when performing for an audience.

Both choirs have many opportunities to perform throughout the year, including the annual Showcase evening, Bundaberg Eisteddfod, Grandparents Day and other school and community events. These performance opportunities give students something to work towards in their rehearsals and are wonderful experiences to showcase their hard work to an audience.