The Woden Valley Youth Choir is a performing choir

Choir

A choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus...

 based in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory

Australian Capital Territory

The Australian Capital Territory, often abbreviated ACT, is the capital territory of the Commonwealth of Australia and is the smallest self-governing internal territory...

. Its performs not only in Canberra but also across Australia

Australia

Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...

 and internationally during regular tours. The name derives from the Woden Valley

Woden Valley

Woden Valley is a district of Canberra, the capital city of Australia. Its name is taken from the name of a nearby homestead owned by Dr James Murray who named the homestead after the Old English god Woden in October 1837. He named it this as he was to spend his life in the pursuit of wisdom and...

 district of Canberra.

There are three choirs catering for different ages - Junior (8 to 9), Intermediate (10 to 11) and Performing (12 to 21).

The musical director of the choir is Alpha Gregory, a well-known Canberra choral director and children's music

Music

Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...

 teacher. Lucy Bermingham is Intermediate Choir Conductor and Veronica Moore is Junior Choir Conductor.

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 seventy.

Memorable performances have included:

• 1982 Commonwealth Games
  1982 Commonwealth Games
  The 1982 Commonwealth Games were held in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia from 30 September–9 October 1982. The Opening Ceremony was held at the QEII Stadium , in the Brisbane suburb of Nathan. The QEII Stadium was also the venue which was used for the athletics and archery competitions during the...
  
   in Brisbane, Queensland - performing for Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh
  Duke of Edinburgh
  The Duke of Edinburgh is a British royal title, named after the city of Edinburgh, Scotland, which has been conferred upon members of the British royal family only four times times since its creation in 1726...
  
   at a Gala Concert;
• for the royals again, in Canberra in 1992;
• at the invitation of the Prime Minister of Australia
  Prime Minister of Australia
  The Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia is the highest minister of the Crown, leader of the Cabinet and Head of Her Majesty's Australian Government, holding office on commission from the Governor-General of Australia. The office of Prime Minister is, in practice, the most powerful...
  
  , to sing to visiting Heads of Government at international conferences in 1981 and 1983;
• as invited guest artists at Government House, Canberra
  Government House, Canberra
  Government House, Canberra, commonly known as Yarralumla, is the official residence of the Governor-General of Australia. It is located in the suburb of Yarralumla, in the City of Canberra, in the Australian Capital Territory....
  
  , the residence of the Governor-General of Australia;
• at the opening ceremony of the World Cup Athletics meet in 1985;
• in 1988:
  • a world-wide telecast
    Telecast
    Telecast may refer to:*television broadcast*Telecast , a Christian band from the United States...
    
     which launched Australia's Bicentennial year in 1988;
  • 12 choir members were in the Choir which sang at the official opening of Australian Parliament House;
  • at Australia's official flag-raising ceremony at Expo 88 in Brisbane;
  • at the prestigious International Society for Music Education (ISME) Conference;
• at the ceremony for the conferring of the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws on Nelson Mandela in 2000.
• at the opening of the Australian of the Year Walk in 2006.
• the opening of the Pacific School Games in 2008.
• as guest artists at the Male Choir Association of Australia 2008 Festival.
• at the Prime Minister's apology to Forgotten Australians and Child Migrants in 2009.
• singing with Opera Australia
  Opera Australia
  Opera Australia is the principal opera company in Australia. Based in Sydney, its performance season at the Sydney Opera House runs for approximately eight months of the year, with the remainder of its time spent in the The Arts Centre in Melbourne...
  
  , symphony orchestras, and at major concert
  Concert
  A concert is a live performance before an audience. The performance may be by a single musician, sometimes then called a recital, or by a musical ensemble, such as an orchestra, a choir, or a musical band...
  
  s with international guest artists;
• recording six albums and a one hour television special;
• six overseas tours.

In 1996, Don Whitbread AOM

Order of Australia

The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...

 retired as president and musical director of the choir. He was named Canberran of the Year for 1996.

In 2009, the Choir celebrated it's fortieth 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.

Discography

The Choir can be heard on:

• There's Nothing Like a Song (Live) (2010)
• Fortyssimo! Live (2009)
• Joyful Days (2007)
• Ancient Cries (2006)
• Holiday Lights
• Shine On Me (2002)
• Angels Shouting (2000)

Other albums:

• Macca on Air - Songs from Australia All Overhttp://www.abc.net.au/australiaallover/
• the international Christmas CD, The Children's Gift, in company with the Vienna Boys Choir and other world renowned choirs.
• Amani Celebration II