Our Choirs
Congratulations to our Junior Choir members who performed at assembly last week. What a massive achievement this is for our youngest singers. The joy and confidence that the children get from performing to an audience, should not be underestimated.
This year, at GRPS, we have been very fortunate to be able to retain the services of two highly experienced and sought after vocal specialists. Dr Ian Nisbet and Laura Martin work in our instrumental program, offering specialist singing and vocal lessons. They also offer several ensemble singing opportunities to our students.
Laura is offering and leading two choirs - Junior Choir for students in years Prep to Year 2 and Senior Choir for students in Years 3 – 6. Ian is leading our A Cappella Choir.
Junior Choir rehearses every Thursday from 1.00pm – 1.30pm
Senior Choir rehearses every Tuesday from 1.00pm – 1.30pm
A Cappella Choir rehearses on Tuesday mornings from 8.30am – 9am (dates are scheduled around Ian’s teaching commitments and are communicated directly with parents).
The cost of our choir program is less than the cost of a take away coffee - $5 a session.
This cost goes towards remunerating Ian and Laura for their time directly teaching the children, but in addition, the cost covers:
- time spent selecting and sourcing appropriate musical arrangements
- purchasing appropriate materials – arrangements and backing tracks
- music (recorded tracks and arrangements) is covered by copyright and licenses. Artists draw a wage from marketing their intellectual property and material. Fees apply to access music and the accompanying music tracks.
- administrative costs
Choir specialists help to inspire and lead the choir by building confidence and creating positive team energy. Although everyone can sing, not everyone is able to teach safe and sustainable singing practices. A good, reputable singing teacher is an expert in understanding how developing bodies and voices work. They teach and encourage children to use their voices in safe ways and assist the children to develop life long vocal health practices. Bad habits are easily formed (especially as children try to replicate the highly digitised/computerised voices that they hear on commercial radio) and permanent damage can occur.
Laura Martin is a passionate choral conductor known for her vibrant and engaging approach to music education. With a background in Musical Theatre and over a decade of experience with singers ages 5 to 85, she has grown our choral program here at GRPS from the ground up over the last 12 months. Laura’s innovative teaching methods and warm, encouraging demeanour help cultivate a love of music and a sense of community among her choristers. Her dedication to nurturing young talent ensures that each child develops both musically and personally under her guidance.
Dr Ian Nisbet is one of Australia's leading Broadway musical theatre vocal coaches, the director of Ian Nisbet Talent Management, and a qualified Vocal Health First Aider. His award-winning students can be heard in professional and amateur productions across the country and around the world and have been accepted into all of Australia's top training institutions. He holds a PhD in musical theatre; a bachelor's degree in drama; an AMusA in flute performance; and a Graduate Certificate in Higher Education, and sang countertenor in the internationally-acclaimed a cappella group Suade from 2003-2011.
Our intention is to have our choir students involved in multiple performances this year, at assemblies and in local singing competitions (eisteddfods). Later in the year, a vocal showcase will be held and families will be invited to come enjoy an evening of music and displays of vocal talent.