The most common venues we perform in are the Concert Hall of the Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Brisbane City Hall, Queensland Conservatorium Theatre and St John’s Cathedral.

As a symphonic choir, our major repertoire includes the great choral works of the classical music repertoire from the baroque to the present day, such as symphonies, requiems, oratorios and other large religious and secular works. We enjoy the challenge of performing new works and have been involved in some world première performances. However, from time to time we perform programs of shorter works, and are often involved in programs of lighter works.

We are usually involved in 3 major concerts each year, and smaller performances, some of which may be for charity.

We rehearse weekly on Wednesday nights from 7:15 to 9:50. Approaching concerts, or at other times determined by the Music Director, additional rehearsals may be called.

Our rehearsals are shared between the Old Museum and Kelvin Grove State College.

You do not have to be a professional or solo singer to join Brisbane Chorale. Entry is by audition, and a reasonable standard of voice quality and musicianship will be required. Some of our members have never had singing lessons but, having sung in choirs for years, have developed good choral singing techniques.

A sight singing exercise is one of the components of the audition to enter the choir. However, if you have a good voice and display strong aural musicianship (a good ear) and excellent intonation, the Music Director will take a lack of confidence in sight-singing into consideration.The best answer is to audition and find out!

Many of our members have come back to singing after leaving it in earlier years while life took other turns. Entry to the choir is by audition, but if you have previous experience this will increase your chances of passing that audition.

There is a uniform style of concert dress for women of Brisbane Chorale which is made to order. Men supply their own dinner suits and bow-ties.

Black music folders for concert performance can be supplied. We recommend you bring your own.

Membership fees are due at the beginning of each year, and we think they represent excellent value for money! Fees cover the cost of rehearsals, music hire, and public liability insurance for our members. We are also open to discussing alternative payment terms with you if needed.

Pro-rata fees are charged to members who join later in the year.

The schedule of fees can be found here.

Occasionally we perform outside of Brisbane. This has included places such as Ipswich, Toowoomba, Noosa, Buderim, and Kawana Waters. In 2008 we toured to Adelaide to perform in a collaborative concert with the Adelaide Symphony Chorus. They reciprocated with a tour to Brisbane the same year. In 2013 we undertook our largest tour yet, to Auckland, performing Elgar’s Dream of Gerontius with Auckland Choral.

The day-to-day running of Brisbane Chorale is carried out by an elected Management Committee, comprising President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Concert Manager, two Membership Secretaries and two Ordinary Members. Other non-elected members may be co-opted by the elected committee as required. All positions are voluntary.

Professional music staff, i.e. Music Director, Assistant Music Director, and Accompanist are engaged and paid by Brisbane Chorale, from funds derived from membership fees and singing engagements. No outside funding is received.