Luminescence Chamber Singers
Luminescence Chamber Singers is Canberra's premier vocal ensemble, and the umbrella organisation for the Luminescence Children's Choir.
Singing is ancient, universal, and fundamental to human experience. It predates the development of spoken language, and there is no human culture that does not sing. Vocalisation is our vessel for the most basic and innate forms of human communication - a grunt, a howl, a cry of grief, or a shriek of laughter. Our voices were our first instruments, and have a unique capacity for story-telling through song.
Luminescence seeks to give voice to human experiences of all kinds, to uplift audiences, to champion the vocal arts, and nurture Canberra's creative life.
We sing on Ngunnawal country.
We acknowledge and celebrate the Ngunnawal people, the traditional custodians of the land on which we gather.
We recognise that modern Australia was built on the dispossession of First Nations peoples, that sovereignty was never ceded, and we acknowledge the ongoing struggles of First Nations peoples in dismantling the pervasive legacies of colonialism.
We pay our respect to elders past, present, and emerging.
Luminescence Children's Choir:
ONLINE WORKSHOPS
Tuesday 17 - 31 August, 4.30 - 5.30pm via Zoom
Luminescence Children's Choir presents a three part series of online workshops. Join our choristers, artistic staff, and guests for three weeks of fun, informative and interactive insights into a wide array of topics, including the history of music notation, the international phonetic alphabet, and how to sing in harmony all on your own!
There are no audition or application requirements to participate in these workshops - you do not have to have participated in past Luminescence programs. However, this workshop series is designed for singers and musicians aged 10 - 17 who have a basic understanding of western musical notation and are interested in vocal and choral music.
All sessions are held via zoom. Details will be emailed to you.
Week 1 (August 17) - A (very) Abridged History of Western Music Notation with AJ America
Join Artistic Director AJ America on an odyssey through the ages, as we see the development of western musical notation from the 12th century until today.
Week 2 (August 24) - Lockdown Loops with Alex Siegers
Join accomplished performer, arranger, and educator Alex Siegers through a harmony-building workshop, including the wonderful world of loop pedals. Lockdown is a perfect time to learn to sing in harmony with yourself!
Week 3 (August 31) - Introduction to IPA for singers with Ella Luhtasaari
Join collaborative pianist and répétiteur Ella Luhtasaari in a crash course introduction to the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). As singers who like to explore music from all times and places and in many different languages, IPA is a crucial tool in helping us rehearse and perform music in languages we may not have a thorough understanding of or familiarity with. In this workshop we will look particularly at some musical examples in German, French, and Italian, including music by Debussy, Mendelssohn, and Mozart.
Luminescence Children's Choir: AUDITIONS
Tuesday 28 September
Ainslie Arts Centre
Applications are open now to join one of Canberra's most exciting programs for young musicians.
The Luminescence Children's Choir is an auditioned treble choir for singers aged 10 - 17. In addition to a comprehensive music education program, the choir performs and tours widely, appearing regularly alongside professional musicians and at some of Canberra's largest public events. Recent highlights have included performances of Benjamin Britten's Ceremony of Carols alongside acclaimed harpist Alice Giles, world premiere performances of 'We Are the Skywhales', in collaboration with the National Gallery of Australia and singer/songwriter Jess Green, and appearances in Chris Latham's Vietnam Requiem. Luminescence Children's Choir is conducted by director and founder, AJ America.
Singers who audition successfully in September will have the option of commencing with the choir in Term 4 for our Christmas season, or at the beginning of 2022. Our artistic staff will recommend the most appropriate start time in discussion with each family.
Applications close 20 September.
If you would like to apply but cannot attend the audition day on 28 September, please submit an application form and we will arrange an alternative audition time.
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