FAQs

Joining the agc

• Does my daughter need to do an audition to join the choir?

  We do not require girls to undertake an audition to gain a place within the choir; instead we prefer girls to come along and try a lesson in the relevant class for their age. We have an inclusive policy and our classes are designed to cater for varying abilities and experience levels. It is our philosophy that all girls can learn to sing given the correct encouragement and training, and we aim to make music learning a positive and enjoyable experience.

   

• What happens in the trial class?

  Girls are encouraged to attend a free trial class before joining, which will provide a taste of the sort of activities we offer. Parents are also welcome to watch the first part of this class however we prefer that after 10 - 15 minutes you leave your daughter to participate in the remainder of the lesson by herself. It's not necessary for girls to prepare anything for this class and your daughter will not be required to sing by herself. She will be 'buddied' up with one of our current choristers and will participate in the class activities with the other members, allowing her to get a real feel for what weekly classes are like.

   

• What is junior@agc and the agc training levels?

  There are six levels in the agc and it is standard for girls to move up to the next level at the end of each year. Our junior@agc classes provide girls with an introduction to the performing arts in our Piccolo and Vivo classes, and are suited for girls aged 5 to 8. Our agc training levels - Allegro, Avanti, Prelude and Concert - are for girls aged 8 and above. When girls reach Concert level - our highest training level - they are eligible to audition to become part of one of our senior performance groups (Camerata or Performing Choir). New choristers are placed into a level with girls of a similar age, a guide is included below. Piccolo - Kinder/Prep/Pre-Primary/Reception and Grade 1, Vivo - Grade 2 and 3, Allegro - Grade 3 and 4, Avanti - Grade 5, Prelude - Grade 6 and Concert - Grade 7. View our agc brochure for more information.

   

• Where are classes held?

  Classes operate in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney at various locations. We encourage you to attend the rehearsal venue most convenient for you. View our agc brochure for more information.

   

• What is the commitment required?

  We aim to keep the commitment to a weekly class as well as one or two additional rehearsals prior to the mid year and end of year performances. Choristers in the Allegro, Avanti, Prelude and Concert levels attend a non-residential Music School weekend in Term 2 where these girls have the opportunity to work with performing arts specialists in more detail than is covered in weekly classes.

   

• How does my daughter become part of one of the performance groups?

  It is standard for girls to spend one year in each of our training levels before progressing up to the next class. When girls reach Concert level - our highest training level - they are eligible to audition to become part of one of our senior performance groups (Camerata or Performing Choir). It is normal for girls to spend several years in the Concert level so that they are prepared musically, socially and in performance for the more advanced activities of our performance groups. Girls may remain in the performance groups until they complete year 12.

   

• What are the costs involved?

  Tuition fees include the cost of weekly classes and combined rehearsals and, where relevant, the provision of a music bag, sheet music, performance costume and involvement in a weekend Music School. Annual fees range from $600 to $1100 depending on the choir level and length of rehearsal each week. Pro rata fees are applied for enrolments throughout the year. View our agc brochure for more information.

   

• Is there a costume or uniform?

  Girls in Piccolo and Vivo wear a junior@agc uniform t-shirt to weekly classes and a more dressy outfit for performances. Girls in Allegro, Avanti, Prelude and Concert levels wear a weekly rehearsal uniform, and in Prelude and Concert levels girls are provided with a performance costume to wear on stage. There is no additional cost for the Prelude and Concert level costumes but girls in these levels are required to purchase jazz shoes to wear at weekly rehearsal and performances.

   

• How do we enrol?

  If you're yet to try a free class at your local rehearsal venue, we encourage you to Contact Us to arrange this. Once you have tried out one of our classes please contact our Enrolment Department who will guide you through the registration process. View our Steps to Join page for more information.

   

• Do we need to go on a waiting list for classes?

  Some classes have waiting lists if the class capacity has been reached. If we are unable to offer your daughter a position at your preferred venue you may choose to place her on our waiting list for the next available position.

   

• What happens if she changes her mind?

  We encourage all girls to try a free class before enrolling, so that they will have the chance to experience the type of activities we offer. We have a resignation policy for enrolled choristers in case they need to discontinue for any reason. We ask that you contact your state office to notify them of your daughter's resignation. The fees will be calculated including the full current Term and a $20 administration fee will be applied - any excess will be refunded.

   

 

Class Information

• What is the class curriculum?

  There are six choir training levels and we adopt a vertical learning approach which means that there is a mixed age group at every level. Our curriculum includes singing, dance, drama, movement, music literacy, advanced part singing, presentation and performance skills. Our staff team uses the renowned Kodaly and Orff methods to teach musical concepts and enhance repertoire learning. Our approach to training girls of all ages includes making extra opportunities available to those who excel.

   

• What happens in weekly classes?

  Weekly classes focus on developing performing arts skills in a nurturing and playful environment. Each lesson will see girls develop vocal skills through a variety of warm-ups and technical exercises, rounds, singing games, fun songs, and learning repertoire for the mid year and end of year performances. In addition to singing, our classes include movement and choreography, drama and speaking exercises, and fun games with a teamwork focus.

   

• Will my daughter have a chance to perform on stage?

  All of our choristers take part in our mid year 'Winter Showcase Concert' and end of year 'Annual Concert'. Concerts are held in major venues in each city including the Adelaide Town Hall, Edmund Rice Performing Arts Centre in Brisbane, Robert Blackwood Hall in Melbourne, Perth Modern School and the Sydney Opera House. By performing with their level group as well as in the massed finale, choristers feel comfortable performing on stage even at a very young age and find the concert experience to be a lot of fun! In addition to these performances, parents are invited to attend a demonstration lesson in Terms 1 and 3 at rehearsal venues to see a regular class in action.

   

• What sort of songs will my daughter sing?

  Each year our team of music teachers and choir conductors from around the country gather together to select songs that will appeal to the choristers at each age level, their parents come concert time, event organisers for public engagements and our staff team who work with the repertoire to create wonderful educational and performance opportunities for the girls. The Australian Girls Choir is renowned for its entertaining, choreographed performances and our repertoire needs to be extremely diverse to meet all of our aims. In the past year choristers at various choir levels have sung songs made famous by ABBA, from the hit musical 'Wicked', written specifically for our youngest choristers about Snugglepot and Cuddlepie and Frederick the Frog; our senior choristers have even managed to fit 'Walk Like an Egyptian' by the Bangles, gospel tune 'Shine Shine Shine' and the complicated spanish piece 'Las Amarillas' into the one program!

   

• How many students are in each class?

  Each level of the choir has a class capacity that is strictly adhered to. In our junior levels, where girls are developing new skills, building confidence and singing mainly in one part, our maximum class size is 25. In our more senior classes, where the girls' skills have developed to include complicated choreography and harmony singing that requires a larger group, we have set the capacity at 45. In addition to the girls' class tutor, each venue has a manager who is responsible for overseeing the safety and well being of our choristers.

   

• Do parents receive progress reports?

  We do not issue written reports, however our tutors maintain progress records of each chorister's development and are always happy to speak with parents at the rehearsal venue about their daughter's progress. Alternately you can contact our office at any stage for further information.

   

• My daughter seems to be displaying quite a lot of potential, are there any opportunities for extension?

  Girls in the choir have many opportunities to be recognised for their vocal and performance potential. Outstanding Potential Awards are presented to a small number of choristers from each choir level at our mid year concerts. Girls from the Prelude and Concert levels may be selected for a position in the specialist group Canto which rehearses for one hour each week in addition to regular classes. All AGC concerts feature small groups of girls and soloists who rehearse their special speaking and singing parts in the Stellata class formed twice each year.

   

• Where do your staff come from?

  We are very proud of our vibrant and engaging staff team who all teach for the AGC in addition to their own busy and varied full time activities; some are school music teachers, private vocal teachers, professional performers, and tertiary performing arts, music or education students. Many of our staff were once members of the choir themselves and all undertake regular professional development and training in the AGC curriculum.

   

• My daughter is quite shy, how do you think she will go?

  Singing or dancing in a group is a wonderful alternative for young girls who enjoy the performing arts but don't want too much limelight! At the AGC we aim to provide an excellent performing arts education for girls but we also know that the 'hidden curriculum' - enhanced confidence, self esteem, public speaking skills, discipline, presentation and team work - is a highlight for parents looking to provide their daughters with important life skills. By providing a nurturing group environment all AGC girls are encouraged to fulfil their potential whether their strength lies in singing, dancing, drama, performance or all of the above!

   

• Will my daughter get to travel with the choir or appear on television?

  Choristers in our senior performance groups (Camerata and Performing Choir) are invited to perform at many additional engagements each year, which range from television appearances to sporting events to high profile public events. Visit our latest news page to find out more about recent events our choristers have been involved in. Each year we tour nationally and internationally, and choristers in Concert level, Camerata and Performing Choir are invited to audition for involvement in these tours. Touring is not a compulsory element of involvement in the choir, however is certainly something that many choristers work towards when they reach these senior levels. Visit our tour page for more information.

   

 

Other

• We can't commit to a weekly class, are there any other options?

  Absolutely! Our sister company a3 - australian arts alive runs school holiday workshops which are great fun and cover a range of performing arts activities over a two day period. Visit the a3 website for more information.