COME SING WITH US
All the fabulous ‘Play It Forward’ choirs are in full swing rehearsing. You’re invited to join the fun. All choirs will rehearse face to face and online, following Government COVID safe practices.
Choir of Opportunity
Yarraville - Thursday Evenings
The Choir of Opportunity is a fun, un-auditioned community choir based in Yarraville. Originally formed in 2015 as Victoria University's first Centenary Choir, it is now operating independently under the Play It Forward Choir Program.
The Choir of Opportunity rehearses weekly on a Thursday evening and membership is open to all, no experience or audition required! The choir is made up of Victoria University staff members, students, alumni and members of the local community.
The Music Director for Choir of Opportunity is internationally acclaimed Tintner scholarship award winning conductor, Patrick Burns, who is also Director of Music, Melbourne Programs for Play It Forward
MD: Patrick Burns & Accompanist: Boris Conley
Click here to find out more about the Choir of Opportunity
Latrobe Valley Choir
Traralgon - Weekend Workshops
Latrobe Valley Choir (LVC) is a dedicated, fun loving ensemble of singers based in the Latrobe Valley that love to sing!
LVC was formed in 2013 in response to Opera Australia’s Community Partnerships Program in conjunction with Jonathon Welch AM and the School of Hard Knocks. The project was so successful that participants decided to continue as an independent, primarily self-funded group of passionate singers under the Play It Forward Choir Program.
LVC has 20 enthusiastic women joining the choir and enjoy participating in local performances and producing events in the Latrobe Valley, along with taking advantage of performance opportunities in metropolitan and other regions with Play It Forward.
Click here to find out more about the Latrobe Valley Choir
CASEY SINGS!
Narre Warren - Tuesday Evenings
Casey Sings! is a program of Play It Forward created by ARIA, Logie and Helpmann award winning founding artistic director Jonathon Welch AM, who has been working with the Casey community and the City of Casey Council since August 2013 with the launch of The City of Casey Choir in collaboration with the Casey Council and Opera Australia, to perform in our first massed community choir project at the Myer Music Bowl with Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.
Since then, Play It Forward has delivered the most unique experiences and opportunities under the direction of Jonathon Welch AM for our CASEY SINGS! members who have performed in prestigious venues and events locally and internationally including the inaugural choral concert in Bunjil Place, Deakin Edge Theatre, Federation Square, Melbourne Town Hall, Melbourne Recital Centre, Sydney Opera House, St Peter’s in Rome, World Expo in Milan, Carnegie Hall in New York, Manchester Cathedral and the Royal Albert Hall, London.
CASEY SINGS! rehearse weekly on Tuesday evenings at the newly refurbished Narre Warren Bowls Club, our rehearsal and performance ‘home’ for our program of fun musical events.
The Music Director for CASEY SINGS! is internationally acclaimed Tintner scholarship award winning conductor, Patrick Burns, who is also Director of Music, Melbourne Programs for Play It Forward
MD: Patrick Burns & Accompanist: Angela Patti
THECHO!R
Docklands - Wednesday Evenings
Founded in 2009 by Jonathon Welch AM, THECHO!R is Melbourne’s most exciting community adults choir.
This vibrant group of 40+ voices belts out everything from contemporary, jazz and swing to opera, music theatre and rock. They've performed extensively throughout Victoria, Adelaide, Sydney and Brisbane, raising thousands of dollars to support other community related music activities including the African Children’s Choir, Choir of Hard Knocks and St Vincent’s Hospital “Sing for a Cure”.
In 2024, THECHO!R is excited to join Play It Forward’s choir program!
THECHO!R welcomes singers of all levels to raise their voices. Come share the joy of music and make a difference – one harmony at a time!
Founding Artistic Director: Jonathon Welch AM
Music Director: Patrick Burns
Accompanists: Daniel Brinsmead & Toni Lalich
Click here to find out more about the THECHO!R
Voices of Footscray Hospital
Footscray - Thursday Evenings
Formerly known as the Western Health Singers, the Voices of Footscray Hospital invites all our staff, volunteers and members of the local community who love to sing!
IT'S FREE - AND THERE ARE NO AUDITIONS!
Rehearsals are led by award-winning conductor, Patrick Burns. We sing an eclectic range of music from popular to world music and exciting new works, and you'll get to perform at events for the hospital, in the local community and join with our other Play It Forward choirs in special events around Melbourne.
MD: Patrick Burns & Accompanist: Boris Conley
Click here to find out more about the Voices of Footscray Hospital
Voices of Moonee Valley
Flemington - Friday Mornings
Voices of Moonee Valley is an all abilities community choir that commenced in 2020 under the leadership of Jonathon Welch AM, founding artistic director of the award-winning Choir of Hard Knocks.
Voices of Moonee Valley rehearse weekly on Friday mornings at the The Loft at Crown Street Stables
Flemington. It is a joint collaboration between Play It Forward and Moonee Valley City Council providing a fun and inclusive choir experience for all.
The Music Director for Voices of Moonee is internationally acclaimed Tintner scholarship award winning conductor, Patrick Burns, who is also Director of Music, Melbourne Programs for Play It Forward.
MD: Patrick Burns & Accompanist: Toni Lalich
Click here to find out more about the Voices of Moonee Valley
YES I CAN! Gippsland Choir
Traralgon - Thursday Afternoons
YES I CAN! Gippsland Choir in the Latrobe Valley, established by Play It Forward, founded by Jonathon Welch AM. This project aims to establish an ongoing choral group for participants residing in the Gippsland region by providing a safe place where they can express themselves through music to help build confidence, skills, resilience and friendships.
MD: Caroline Crawford
Click here to find out more about YES I CAN! Gippsland Choir