Who We Are

Mission

The Australian Rugby Choir Inc. is a Choir of male voices, which aims to promote singing in the community both through participation at rugby matches and other community and charitable events. The Choir is a non-profit organisation with the love of rugby and singing for enjoyment binding its Members.

The objectives of the Choir as expressed in its Plan are:

To establish, maintain and support a choir of male voices
To encourage and promote in the community an appreciation of choral music and male voice singing through regular public performances
To train and educate members in the art of choral music and singing and to develop in them an appreciation of love of music
To contribute to and support worthwhile community and charitable organisations
To foster through public performances support for an appreciation of the code of rugby union football in the ACT and Region.

Strategic Direction

The strategic direction of the Choir is outlined in the Choir Plan. Singing at rugby matches and helping to promote rugby are core activities of the Choir. The Choir also performs upon invitation in support of other community and charitable events within the ACT and Region.

The Members of the Choir aim to have fun singing and bringing enjoyment to others. Other than for charitable events, an appropriate fee may be charged by the Choir to help cover our annual running costs.

Choir Management

Incorporated in 1996 and registered as 'The Australian Rugby Choir Inc.' under the ACT Associations Incorporation Act, the Choir is a non-profit organisation which is governed by a President and Committee structure, which sets the overall direction of the Choir and manages its affairs.

The Committee appoints a Musical Director who leads the Choir in rehearsals and performances, as well as an Accompanist. The Choir has around 60 active members and new members are always welcome.

The elected President is Mr Neil Fleming. The Secretary is Mr Geoff Ford. The Treasurer is Mr Rick Dresser

Musical Direction

The Musical Director is Lucy Bermingham, born and raised in a large musical family in Canberra. She has been a musician since she could walk and talk. Her passion is infectious and very contagious.

The choir sings from a wide repertoire of music. A Repertoire Committee liaises with the Musical Director on suitable pieces. A selection of music from the current song book is listed here.

Rehearsals

Rehearsals for the Choir are currently held each Tuesday night from 7.30 to 9.45pm. New Members are most welcome. Rehearsals provide an opportunity for voice exercise and warm-up, enjoyable singing in four-part harmony, polishing up on old traditional songs, and learning new songs.

Members also use rehearsals as a social occasion to catch up with old and new friends.

Songbook and Repertoire

The Keeper of Music maintains and issues to all Members an ARC Songbook. This Songbook contains a wide variety of 50 core songs ranging from traditional Welsh hymns, opera, rugby songs, Christmas carols, popular, comedy and novelty songs. Members are expected over time to learn the core songs with minimal reference to the Songbook.

The Songbook is returned to the Keeper of Music when leaving the Choir. A selection of music from the current song book is listed here.

Choir Uniform

The Choir standard performance uniform is a light blue 'chambray' long sleeved shirt with The Australian Rugby Choir emblem embroidered above the left breast pocket, a blue and gold stripped ARC tie, gabardine fawn coloured trousers, black shoes or boots and black belt.

There is a black blazer which is worn at selected performances as directed by the Committee. A camel colour broad brimmed hat is worn during outdoor performances.

The Choir standard uniform, unless directed by the Committee, must be worn at all official public performances without exception in order to promote the proper image and behaviour of the Choir.

A Brumbies cap is worn only at Brumbies gigs. In the summer months the blue polo shirt is sometimes worn in lieu of the long sleeve shirt.

Choir uniform black jacket, blue chambray and polo shirts and gabardine taupe trousers are available from Workin' Gear, Shop 7a Paragon Mall Gladstone Street, Fyshwick ACT Phone: 6280 5885

The ARC tie, blazer pocket arc logo insert, blue spray jacket with logo, the camel colour broad brimmed hat and are available from the Choir Uniforms Officer.

Communication

Email and the ARC Website are the standard means of communication between Members, the Committee and the public. Members without access to email are encouraged to form a 'buddy' relationship with another Choir Member who has email access.

The President and the Secretary also aim to keep all Members informed of the outcomes of Committee meetings and other developments during announcements at the weekly Choir rehearsal. There is also "Warble" of all Choir News and Events distributed weekly.