Woden Valley Youth Choir


Woden Valley Youth Choir is an audition based children's choir located in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. It performs not only in Canberra, but also across Australia and internationally during regular tours. The name derives from the Woden Valley district of Canberra.
There are six choirs, within the organisation, catering for different ages and voice ranges:
  • Leonis Voices
  • Australis Voices
  • Centauri Voices
  • Pegasi Vocal Ensemble
  • Spectra Vocal Ensemble
These groups replace the former Junior, Intermediate and Performing choirs The Performing choir was the main group which would perform at all of the major events and concerts the choir was asked to sing at, as well as the group that would tour. The Junior and Intermediate choirs were more aimed at being development groups, occasionally performing at much smaller events such as local church concerts or as entertainment at nursing homes. Nowadays, all groups get equal opportunity to perform.
The Artistic Director of the choir and conductor of Australis Voices is local musician and composer Olivia Swift, who along with WVYC conducts many choirs throughout Canberra, including and CHOIR Canberra. Jade McFaul, and Lucus Allerton are also conductors for the choir. Previous conductors have included Lucy Bermingham, Rachel Campbell, Veronica Moore and Sally McRae.
One of the choir's biggest changes is the introduction of a group for young men, as previously, boys whose voices were transitioning from soprano and alto to tenor and bass were notably excluded and asked to leave the choir. The choir's third artistic director Kimberley Steele, who set up the group, described the group as a "safe space to sing together" as "A lot of choirs are just treble choirs." Centauri Voices is also notable for being one of the few vocal ensembles in the ACT specifically for younger boys.

History

The Woden Valley Youth Choir began in February 1969 when conductor, Don Whitbread, and his pianist wife, Barbara, soon after they moved to Canberra, issued an invitation to local children. Beginning with twenty-two singers, the Choir grew to a regular membership of 70.
Memorable performances have included:
In 1996, Don Whitbread AOM retired as president and musical director of the choir. He was named Canberra Citizen of the Year for 1997.
In 2009, the choir celebrated its 40th anniversary with a concert at Llewellyn Hall including alumni and featuring two world premiers-Paul Jarman's 'Source of Life' and 'Fortyssimo' by Michelle Leonard and Sally Whitwell.
In 2010, the choir toured South Korea, hosted by the World Vision Korean Children's Choir.
At the end of 2016, Alpha Gregory stood down as Artistic Director after 20 years. Local musician and conductor, Kimberley Steele, became the choir's third Artistic Director on 1 January 2017. In August 2018, Olivia Swift became Artistic Director.
In 2019 Woden Valley Youth Choir celebrated its 50th anniversary.
In January 2026, Music for Canberra and Woden Valley Youth Choir announced a partnership with Music for Canberra taking over the stewardship of the Woden Valley Youth Choir.

Commissioned pieces

The choir has had many pieces commissioned for them, some of which have become famous Australian choral works. Some of the commissioned pieces include:
  • Never Too Small- Alex Turley
  • Australian Proverb- B. Robinson
  • Hawkesbury- Stephen Leek
  • Growing Into Me- Sally Whitwell
  • Just Clowning Around- Lucy Bermingham
  • Phonograph- Dan Walker
  • Source of Life- Paul Jarman
  • Fortyssimo- Michelle Leonard and Sally Whitwell
  • Pemulwuy- Paul Jarman

Discography

The Choir can be heard on:
  • I Hate Music There's Nothing Like a Song Fortyssimo! Live Joyful Days Ancient Cries Holiday LightsShine On Me Listen to the Angels Shouting The Woden Valley Youth Choir Live
Other albums:Macca on Air - Songs from Australia All Over