Tag Archives: Australian Youth Choir

Boom radio invades the Australian Youth Choir rehearsal

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Boom Radio 97.3 FM  breakfast announcer ‘Paul’, of Bree and Paul fame showed his  true musical calling when he joined the Australian Youth Choir  in Perth on Monday evening.

Paul was on a mission – he needed to follow his secret passion and find out what it was like to conduct a choir!

It didn’t matter that he had no experience,  it didn’t matter that he had no conducting  technique, it didn’t matter that he might be afraid of children, it didn’t matter that he didn’t read music and didn’t know the repertoire (what’s  repertoire?).  It was something he had always dreamed of doing and he had his mind set on giving it a go.

Well – Monday was his lucky day. Who better to give him a few pointers than Mary Pollard, Australian Youth Choir Conductor and of course the kids in the Australian Youth Choir Perth?

Paul was brave! He led the choir through some of the songs they have been preparing for their upcoming concert, he hadn’t heard most of them before but he didn’t let that bother him. He came into his own with the timeless classic, ‘This Old Man’ – a particularly difficult piece (as we know) that benefitted greatly from his incredible ability to pick up and conduct the dynamics with great energy.

The choir also initiated Paul into the world of solfa (he admitted that he’d never seen ‘The Sound of Music’!) and he was astounded that they could learn to sing in sol-fa , using hand signs. Using this method, the choir learned a quick jingle featuring the name and slogan of the radio station – “Boom Radio: Not Just Noise”.

Bree and Paul present the breakfast program on Monday’s and Tuesday so listen in next week.

Paul was “stoked”…dream fulfilled?  Absolutely!

“Boom Radio in Maylands was a blast!”

Sam McSweeney – Artistic Staff Australian Youth Choir

Brought to you by National Institute of Youth Performing Arts

 www.niypaa.com.au

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Sharing life’s experiences – singing dancing and growing up!

Summer – Music’s best friend!

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The sun is out, holidays are here and everyone’s in the mood for some laid back tunes! Whether you’re a music lover or an occasional listener there is just something special about summer that makes everyone want to listen to music, live or recorded.

Music sets the mood and changes the atmosphere entirely. In summer we listen to music that reflects the relaxed vibe that we are feeling.  People have time to come out at night to listen to live performances in parks, in Zoo’s or in backyards.

If you’re by the sea, in the garden or cruising in the car here’s the perfect summer play-list to get you started.

Could You Be Loved – Bob Marley: It wouldn’t be summer with out Bob Marley. There are so many tracks to choose from because this guy really knew a thing or two about good vibes. We’re going with ‘Could You Be Loved’, because the lyrics are so easy to remember and because it’s as smooth as the slippery slide in your best friends back yard.

Better Together – Jack Johnson: Jack Johnston will please you with sweet riffs and then top it all off with a nice set of lyrics every time. ‘Better Together’ is cute as a button and makes you think of all those people that you love spending the warm days with.

Fall at Your Feet – Crowded House: To satisfy the Australian classic category, we have to include Crowded House. ‘Fall At Your Feet’ will have you singing your lungs out in the car!

Rock It – Little Red: “Rock it till the break of day, Don’t stop rockin’ now no way”, lyrics from Little Red’s ‘Rock It’ chorus might give you an idea of what you’re in for! This little tune will put a skip in your step and give you the wind you need to hit a six in your twilight street cricket match.

1 2 3 4 – Feist: While you’re still up from that last tune, you can keep bopping to this one! You might remember 1234 from the 2007 Ipod commercial. Feist’s vocals are loud and proud and will have you counting away with her until the very end.

Let Me Be – Xavier Rudd: Summer is all about being free and having it your way for a while. ‘Let Me Be’ is a classic laid back song that will help you let go of any lingering tensions before the New Year comes in….. and it sports the harmonica for a little extra summer/country vibe.

Mango Tree – Angus and Julia Stone: Summer nostalgia is the heart beat of this song. ‘Mango Tree’ is a dreamy story about summers gone by and being “young and free in the sun”.  The brother and sister duo’s voices tickle your skin and give you goose bumps as the sun goes down over the ocean.

Neopolitan Dreams – Lisa Mitchell: If you’ve got a fair drive a head of you this song will help you feel like you’re floating along the highway. The title might even inspire a stop off for some ice-cream.

Blood – The Middle East:You might remember this song from the recent Ryan Gosling and Steve Carell movie ‘Crazy Stupid Love’. There’s lots of great ooing and arring in this track, it’s upbeat and uplifting with its chorus of voices that come in towards the end!

1979 – Smashing Pumpkins: Last but not least, when you’re looking back at the end of your sweaty, sun burnt, good-times summer, this song will fit perfectly over a montage of memories.

So that should help you get started! But before you take off on your amazing summer, maybe throw in a Bob Marley ‘best of’ CD as well, just to be safe!

Benita Sullivan

Benita 1Benita’s early back ground in music and performance stretches from musicals, to choir, singing and instrumental training. She has been managing and playing with Melbourne bands for the last eight years. She is a singer song writer, developing her latest band Elliot Friend. She looks forward to a successful career in creative arts administration and music.

Brought to you by National Institute of Youth Performing Arts

Go to www.niypaa.com.au

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Sharing life’s experiences – singing dancing and growing up!

A show to remember! Highlights from NIYPAA’s Melbourne Concert.

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On Sunday members of the Melbourne-based Australian Youth Choir and Dance Theatre performed on stage to an audience of 1,500 for their last major concert for 2012. The performance showcased the extensive repertoire and choreography rehearsed each week for the past 6 months and the performance was well received. This year celebrates the 25th Anniversary of hit song “I Am Australian”.

The audience was privy to a special performance by songwriter, founding member of the Seekers and NIYPAA patron Bruce Woodley performing his song with the choristers and dancers on stage. Scholarships were awarded to 14 hard-working and high-achieving students and Bruce Woodley presented his self-titled award to the Chamber Choir recipient. The NIYPAA awards give great encouragement to those NIYPAA members who demonstrate true passion and development in the Choir and Dance Theatre.

NIYPAA staff were very impressed to see NIYPAA’s new members take to the stage with high energy and smiling faces as the nerves dissipated and the performance shone though.

“The concert was wonderful”, said one proud father. The song “The Rose” was the best piece I have ever heard the choir sing and the finale was great too – it worked really well with the guest Bruce Woodley,  a very nice touch and certainly memorable,” he said.   “As always I really enjoyed watching my daughter up on stage dancing and smiling. She really enjoys the dancing and so do we.”

Click here to see the photos from the concert. Choir I Dance

Benita Sullivan

Benita’s early back ground in music and performance stretches from musicals, to choir, singing and instrumental training. She has been managing and playing with Melbourne bands for the last eight years. She is a singer song writer, developing her latest band Elliot Friend. She looks forward to a successful career in creative arts administration and music.

Brought to you by National Institute of Youth Performing Arts – auditioning now.

Go to www.niypaa.com.au

Sing and Dance Australia

Sharing life’s experiences – singing dancing and growing up!

Good music – Transcending the Age Gap

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Members of the Australian Youth Choir who opened the tribute concert to Darryl Cotton on Tuesday 23rd October at the Palais Theatre St Kilda were honoured to sing one of his favourite songs ‘Tenterfield Saddler’.

The greats of the Australian music industry came together to honour their mate.These performers were huge  stars well before the kids in the Australian Youth Choir were born, but the choristers left the concert in awe of the enormous contribution they  had made and continue to make to the Australian music scene – Daryl Braithwaite, Russell Morris, Lisa Edwards, Brian Cadd, Jim Keays, Debra Byrne, Wendy Stapleton, Paul Norton, Ronnie Burns, Glenn Shorrock and of course Darryl Cotton.

After opening the show, the choristers sat back in the audience and confidently sang along to ‘Howzatt’, ‘Because I Love You,’ ‘Wings of An Eagle’, ‘Sweet Sweet Love’, ‘Little Ray of Sunshine’, ‘Don’t you Know It’s Magic’, ‘Help Is On It’s Way’ and many more.

And who composed or made these songs famous?  Australians of course and in many instances the very people on stage performing them.

The kids finished the night with a different appreciation of the 50+ age group whom they would probably call “old” but not on Tuesday. They had become ageless in front of an audience that included both those who remembered when their musical careers began and those who were watching them perform for the very first time.

Australian music is alive and well and we should be incredibly proud of the foundations upon which our industry has been built. Great song writers and great performers all came together to remember and honour a fellow performer and friend and in doing so inspired a new generation of young fans to follow their musical dreams.

Message from Graeme McKee – Organiser of the Tribute Concert

Thank you to the Australian Youth Choir for the valuable contribution to our tribute to Darryl.  I felt tears welling right through your singing of Tenterfield Saddler.  It was simply the BEST opener we could have hoped for.  Darryl often talked about his involvement and passion for the choir over the years, and I thought of this through the song, one of my favourites.  I am sure that not a person left that theatre last night, anything but absolutely delighted with the vast talent on display from start to finish.  Through his short illness we talked about the concert often.  It was a strange feeling driving home after the concert realising that we had nailed it to his high standards. Thank you again and my love and thanks to all those delightful choristers who were just simply wonderful!

Julie McKenna – NIYPAA Director

Julie’s involvement with the Performing Arts covers a wide field of expertise. As a classroom teacher she fostered her passion of singing and ensemble groups with her students and continues this aspect with the students of the Australian Youth Choir and Australian Youth Dance Theatre.   An extensive career in opera, music theatre and choral groups has seen her perform in a variety of productions with Opera Australia, the Victoria State Opera, Melbourne Music Theatre and the Melbourne Chorale.

Brought to you by National Institute of Youth Performing Arts – auditioning now.

Go to www.niypaa.com.au

Sing and Dance Australia

Sharing life’s experiences – singing dancing and growing up!

Sport or art – which is most important?

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Visit Melbourne on AFL Grand Final week and you’ll be hard pressed to find Melbourne’s artistic community. The streets are lined with four colours; two from each final team with families and groups congregating to cheer on their preferred club.

Although football is not my first love, I am proud of Melbourne’s sporting culture and Australia’s overall commitment to sport. At work, I’m surrounded by firm supporters of the arts and in fact, many of my colleagues are artists or musicians in their own right however, they still worship their favourite football team, tennis player, cricketer or the like.

Recently Artshub featured an article titled “Raising the status of the artist” by Deborah Stone. The article featured the personal views of the newly appointed Australia Council Chair, Rupert Myer on Australia’s art and culture scene. Myer believes art needs a higher profile and we need to raise the level of arts appreciation to equal that of Australia’s sporting status.

Myer says we need to “value art for arts’ sake’ and we should “be raising the profile of the artist.” He urges those with a love of the arts to be proud of the benefits that arts culture creates in the small and personal sense as well as on a broad scale.

So, how does one do this? While some may not consider themselves as artistic, most people do have some level of arts appreciation they either haven’t harnessed or simply don’t recognise, but the truth remains it does exist.

We seem to give appreciation and recognition to celebrity artists and celebrity sportspeople in equal measure but what about those who aren’t famous?

All those people for whom art, music, film, photography, writing and performance and dance are a passion work tirelessly at their craft often working part time jobs in hospitality, finance, administration and a myriad of other professions to make ends meet. Could we live without them?

We Australians are without a doubt keen art enthusiasts. Myer states “we have the best attended art galleries in the world…we have something like 15 million visits to galleries each year”.

I’m not denying we don’t love the arts but perhaps we forget to praise those who make it their life to give us all a creative outlet.

My view is that our pride and appreciation of the arts begins when we are young. Sport is so important for young people to learn team building, athleticism, health and nutrition and we all know physical education is important for our overall health and wellbeing. I would like to suggest that the arts achieve similar outcomes. Early musical training helps to develop language and reasoning skills and students of the performing arts learn to think creatively. The arts demand we maintain a sustained commitment to improve and subsequently we learn the value of commitment. Performers learn to conquer fears and take risks and so improve their self-awareness. Aside from the personal satisfaction achieved through artistic pursuits – art of all varieties makes comment on the society in which they are practiced, giving those of us who appreciate it an insight and understanding of the world in which we live.

Appreciation of the arts needs to be nurtured from childhood to adulthood – with equal intensity to sport in our schools and in community programmes. Sporting achievements that have always been traditionally seen as “cool” and quickly praised, should be recognised alongside achievement in art, music, dance, writing and performance.

Academic achievement in these subjects should be valued as highly as language, mathematics and science if our goal is to develop our young people wholly and offer them the best opportunities and skills for their lives.

Christine Grey – General Manager NIYPAA.

Christine is an educator, organizer and art enthusiast, with a profound interest in youth performing arts. A former music and art teacher Christine is now devoting her time to the Australian Youth Choir and Australian Youth Dance Theatre where she has worked for over 15 years. She is a fan of the visual arts, live theatre, drama, film and is jealous of anyone who can create movement to music.Her working life has been dedicated to the musical education of young people in the performing arts and shes loves to tell anyone who will listen about the benefits the Arts can bring to every personality at all stages of their lives.

 

Brought to you by National Institute of Youth Performing Arts – auditioning now.

Go to www.niypaa.com.au

Sing and Dance Australia

Sharing life’s experiences – singing dancing and growing up!

From the World Wide Web into the real world! How to unplug the family

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The Internet has fast become our best friend. It is something we tell our secrets to, stay up late at night with and contact every day.

The Internet has made a positive impact on our lives and allowed us to communicate more quickly and across invisible borders. However, before we bow to the Gods of technology, we all need to consider how much we want the Internet to infiltrate our lives.

Time in front of the computer, iPad or iPhone screen is time away from face-to-face interaction and good ol’ fresh air.

Most of us love that the Internet can help with homework and research, give us an easy way to pay our bills, contact our overseas relatives and even find the nearest Toys-R-Us because we need to find a Barbie STAT for the six year old birthday party your daughter is invited to that completely slipped your mind.

We want all these great things from the World Wide Web, but for many of us it is difficult to find a balance between online and offline.

Here’s some ideas for unplugging the family for a few moments a day and increase face-to-face time.

Snakes and ladders – Keep the games offline but still going and see if you can have some laughs over a few board games. Charades, Pictionary, Uno or Trivia, it’s all fun and it’s good for keeping the brain active and healthy.

Family of cooks – It’s in to the kitchen for a cooking lesson! You could make a fun dessert together, go out shopping for the ingredients and enjoy the results after dinner.

Reading – Buy everyone in your family a book or visit the library. Cosy up in the family room and have a group reading session.

To the park – Now it’s staying a little lighter for a little longer each night, we have a bit more time for the out doors. An afternoon at the park could be a great way to get some fresh air and help the kids burn off a bit of energy.

Group Activities – Encourage your kids to get involved in a sports group, take up an instrument, singing or dancing. These outside of school activities will keep your kids alert and introduce them to new skills.

Day trips – Plan ahead and take the kids on day trips! Getting out of the house to the beach, the zoo, a friends place or even the museum can loosen things up! It can be good to get out for a few hours and teach the kids that there’s a lot to see out there.

Can you think of any other great unplugged family activities? If so, share them here!

 

Julie McKenna – NIYPAA Director

Julie’s involvement with the Performing Arts covers a wide field of expertise. As a classroom teacher she fostered her passion of singing and ensemble groups with her students and continues this aspect with the students of the Australian Youth Choir and Australian Youth Dance Theatre.   An extensive career in opera, music theatre and choral groups has seen her perform in a variety of productions with Opera Australia, the Victoria State Opera, Melbourne Music Theatre and the Melbourne Chorale.

Brought to you by National Institute of Youth Performing Arts – auditioning now.

Go to www.niypaa.com.au

Sing and Dance Australia

Sharing life’s experiences – singing dancing and growing up!

The rise of the mummy blogger: Our Top 10 picks for web reading for kids and parents

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These days the answers to our questions as parents are just one click away and the rise of the “Mummy Blogger” has meant that there are communities of mums, dads, guardians and non-parents with opinions and tips on so many parenting challenges.

No matter what your issue, passion, concern or question, it’s virtually guaranteed the Internet will provide you with an answer or a like-minded person with which to engage.

Blogging is now a mainstream online communication and engagement tool and for parents, it can be a great source of comfort once you find the right one for you.

Here is our list of the best parenting blogs to check out and we’d love to know if you yourself are a blogger or have a favourite that we need to check out. Just submit a comment below.

Mamamia – published by mother and former magazine editor Mia Freedman, this blog has gone from strength to strength since launching in 2007. With parenting advice and opinions, style, food and entertainment news, this blog is very popular reaching thousands of Australians daily.

Essential Baby –Essential Baby is a great one for potential parents, pregnant mothers and new parents. The blog tracks your journey from conception to toddlerhood offering advice based related articles and discussion forums. The blog can even help you find a babysitter!

Bub Hub – Bub Hub launched in 2002 and like Essential Baby, offers advice for parents with newborns through to toddler age. There is a special section on post-natal health for mothers on the You page and the blog offers a 24hour support forum. The special interests section covers topics such as eco friendly families, pre mature babies and articles specifically for dad.

Mess for Less – Here’s one that will keep the kids entertained for hours. This blog has endless art and craft activities for the little ones. A great one for weekends and holidays.

Life and Other Crises – Kerri Slacker is the author of ‘The Little Book of Anxiety - Confessions from A Worried Life’, ‘When My Husband Does The Dishes…’ and this personal and intriguing blog. Slacker writes for the mum who needs time out, she writes with great honesty and leaves you with something to laugh and think about.

The Busy Dad Blog – One for the dads! This blog follows a dad and his two kids as they go on adventures to the zoo, the park, on fishing trips and to the desk to get important school projects done together. Busy Dad even has a comic strip for all those memorable daddy moments.

Growing Up Well – When our children begin their transition through the often awkward teenage years, their parents certainly do too. This blog helps parents connect with their changing offspring.  There is a facts page featuring specific info about kids between the ages 9 – 14 and the blog also features a list of books to help you with your teenage challenges.

Wine Country Mom – This single mum admits to her sometimes “crazy” lifestyle of “mixing families and raising teens/tweens – where words come out in grunts, baseball rules (her life), pennies are pinched and in other words, everything is wonderful”.

Cook, Learn, Grow! – For the would-be master chefs, this blog gives great ideas for cooking with kids. It features recipes easy for children’s cooking ranging from easy, intermediate and advanced! Just think, if you start them cooking now, you might get a three course meal on your next Mothers or Fathers Day!

Happy Families – Again another one for dads. Written by an Aussie dad, this blog has some great articles to keep us in tune with what’s good for our kids and what’s going on in today’s world that relates to our family.

Inspired yet? Read away and let us know what you think of our top 10!

Have you got any favourite family blog or are you writing one?  Let us know below.

We’re also on the look-out for parents to write and post articles for this blog, so let us know if you’re interested in having a go.

Christine Grey – General Manager NIYPAA.

Christine is an educator, organizer and art enthusiast, with a profound interest in youth performing arts. A former music and art teacher Christine is now devoting her time to the Australian Youth Choir and Australian Youth Dance Theatre where she has worked for over 15 years. She is a fan of the visual arts, live theatre, drama, film and is jealous of anyone who can create movement to music.Her working life has been dedicated to the musical education of young people in the performing arts and shes loves to tell anyone who will listen about the benefits the Arts can bring to every personality at all stages of their lives.

Brought to you by National Institute of Youth Performing Arts – auditioning now.

Go to www.niypaa.com.au

Sing and Dance Australia

Sharing life’s experiences – singing dancing and growing up!

All content provided on this blog is for information purposes only. NIYPAA makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site. NIYPAA will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information.NIYPAA does not endorse the content and opinions expressed by the individuals who publish the aforementioned blogs.This policy is subject to change at anytime.

Team spirit – How children benefit from group activities

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It is evident in all walks of life. Teams are common among the human race. A team is not just a group of people, it is a group linked together for a common purpose. If we want to get something done, we usually do it with a team.

Our recent post about the Olympics highlighted that great athletes always attribute their success to the support of their coaches, families and mentors – in other words, their team.

Similarly, young footballers can be great talent, have the highest grade of fitness and skill level but won’t be a success without their team. I mean do we ever go to the MCG to watch an individual footballer kick goals on his own? Boring!

No matter what the activity, whether it be acting, choir, dancing, reading or learning, it’s great to do it in a group working toward a common, shared goal. This is especially true to children.

Working in a team gives children encouragement and a means to learn from others. It helps with confidence building and social skills. How great does it feel when you win a netball game or finished a group assignment? Everyone plays his or her role and the job gets done and you can celebrate your win together.

The same goes for choir and dancing. It’s a team effort. The National Institute of Youth Performing Arts (NIYPAA) has been encouraging group learning since we founded over 35 years ago. We know from working with young people, how exhilarating it is when together they learn new choreography or a new piece of music. Even better is at the end when they perform their work for an audience. All that work together to produce something that sees them gain applause and recognition from others for their efforts.

From our long history of watching, teaching, supporting and helping young teams develop, learn, grow and succeed, here’s a list of the benefits of team activities for our young people:

Group awareness It’s a positive learning experience for young people to realise that their actions impact on others. When they have the chance to see themselves as part of a whole they start to understand their part in the team and that their behaviour has a reaction in the group.

Encouragement to learn: When a child witness’ other children their age working at something and focusing on a goal they will be more likely to become interested in doing the same. This is a stepping-stone for “rest of life” learning.

Friendship: People form groups based around common interests, e.g. If you join a choir it’s most likely because you like singing or music. By sharing a positive experience with someone we create a bond together and build friendships on this initial interest.

Social confidence: If a child becomes familiar with group and team situations from a young age they will be more likely to feel comfortable interacting with others in general as they grow up. Being a socially confident person allows us to be open to opportunities.

Flexibility: In any team of people there are many different personalities. When young people work with others they begin to comprehend and accept differences. This acceptance helps them learn the art of compromise and helps them learn to be sensitive to others.

Gain Knowledge: To be a part of a team is to learn about the world. When we interact with others and share a purpose of achieving something, we pick up stories and information. From participating in group activities we can learn a lot about the activity but maybe even more about life and the world around us.

These benefits explain why parents spend so much of their precious time car-pooling their young ones to a variety of team activities.  What has been your greatest team activity or achievement?

 

Julie McKenna – NIYPAA Director

Julie’s involvement with the Performing Arts covers a wide field of expertise. As a classroom teacher she fostered her passion of singing and ensemble groups with her students and continues this aspect with the students of the Australian Youth Choir and Australian Youth Dance Theatre.   An extensive career in opera, music theatre and choral groups has seen her perform in a variety of productions with Opera Australia, the Victoria State Opera, Melbourne Music Theatre and the Melbourne Chorale.

 

Brought to you by National Institute of Youth Performing Arts – auditioning now.

Go to www.niypaa.com.au

Sing and Dance Australia

Sharing life’s experiences – singing dancing and growing up!

Butterflies in your tummy? Five quick tips on how to calm the nerves before an audition

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Don’t stress out about your audition, read our 5 tips!

Sweaty palms? Dry mouth? Finding it hard to sit still? Sounds like you might just be about to audition!

We all audition at some point in our lives. Whether it’s a job interview, a new school or even a new group of friends, we are on show and aware of our behaviour and other people’s opinions of us. Auditions are the same except you know for certain you’re being watched and it can make us all a little nervous. At NIYPAA we’ve held auditions every year for 38 years for our choir and dance programs so for us it’s a normal part of life. We’re writing this post on auditions because at the moment we are holding them around the country and we see hundreds of young people suffer through nerves or “butterflies” and we know all the tricks on how to beat them. Firstly let us just say, it is guaranteed that you will be nervous or have butterflies and you might even consider racing out the door before you’ve even done your audition. Use these tips to help you through your audition and we guarantee at the end you will walk away feeling fantastic!

  1. First of all remember this: You are not alone. Everyone who is auditioning feels the same way. Just remember that!
  2. Remember to breathe. Take long, deep, slow breaths. This will help slow down your racing heart beat and relax your mind because you are letting lots of oxygen in to your lungs. This will help you feel calmer and more in control. Stand in a quiet place if you can find one and take a few moments of deep, long breathing.
  3. Warm up before your audition. If you are going to be singing, make sure you have a short sing before you even get to your audition (the car is a good place to do this). This will warm up your vocal chords and get them prepared for your performance. If you’re dancing, make sure you do some stretches to loosen up your muscles before you audition.
  4. Wear something that makes you feel special and comfortable. If you feel special and you think you look nice this will help you feel more confident on the day.
  5. Remember to think positive thoughts before your audition. Think of your favourite things and smile as much as you can to help put yourself in a good frame of mind. Remember that you are trying something new and that in itself is a really great achievement.

Nerves are what make us all human and they always go away! Once you have begun your audition and you are focussed on your singing and dancing, it’s pretty likely you will forget your nerves and you’ll relax. Once you see others singing and dancing around you, you will feel even better. When you finish your audition you will feel uplifted and wonder what all the fuss was about! Think of the end goal. Why are you auditioning? Probably because you want to learn to sing or dance and perform on a stage one day and if you relax and give your audition its best shot it is highly likely you will! Check out this recent video of the Australian Youth Choir performing in Rome in Italy. Once upon a time, they auditioned too! The National Institute of Youth Performing Arts is currently holding its auditions for the Australian Youth Choir and National Institute of Youth Performing Arts around Australia. Click here to arrange an audition today.

The AYC 2012 tour, featured on Rome Reports

Do you have any more ideas for audition nerves?

Benita Sullivan

Benita’s early back ground in music and performance stretches from musicals, to choir, singing and instrumental training. She has been managing and playing with Melbourne bands for the last eight years. She is a singer song writer, developing her latest band Elliot Friend. She looks forward to a successful career in creative arts administration while persisting in her musical endeavours.

Brought to you by National Institute of Youth Performing Arts – auditioning now.

Go to www.niypaa.com.au

Sing and Dance Australia

Sharing life’s experiences – singing dancing and growing up!

Farewell tribute to NIYPAA Patron of 25 years, Darryl Cotton (1949-2012)

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Darryl Cotton sings with The Australian Youth Choir

Australian Youth Choir (AYC) choristers and families and the National Institute of Youth Performing Arts (NIYPAA) staff have been lucky to spend 25 years in the company of Australian pop star, iconic musician and proud patron of NIYPAA, the late Darryl Cotton.

On Friday, Darryl sadly lost his short battle with liver cancer. It is with deep sadness that NIYPAA farewells its long time friend and Patron, Darryl Cotton

NIYPAA Director and long-time friend to Darryl Cotton, Julie McKenna reflects on his time spent with NIYPAA.

“Our first time working with Darryl was in 1987 when he presented War of the Worlds at the Camberwell Civic Centre. Darryl was so impressed with the choristers and asked for them to be included in another concert,” she said.

Julie says Darryl always believed music was extremely important to a person’s development and readily accepted the position of NIYPAA Patron.

Shortly after becoming Patron, Darryl wasted no time working directly with the Australian Youth Choir students around the nation.

“Darryl was involved in so many concerts and loved bringing musical influences from the 1950s and 1960s to any performance, with songs like Lollipop and Polka Dot Bikini,” Julie said.

Julie recalls an occasion where Darryl performed a Rock ‘n Roll segment at a concert and asked the NIYPAA dancers to join him on stage for an impromptu rock dance.

“It was enthusiastic performances like this from Darryl that always excited the AYC students and made for a great concert,” Julie said.

From concert to concert, state-to-state, Darryl dreamed up new ways to make the kids laugh and each show a memorable experience for performers and audiences alike.

From the early 1990s when he brought the beloved Marty Monster to perform on stage with the AYC, creating a conga line of choristers in the front row and sharing the microphone around during his songs, inviting young audience members to join him on stage to sing, he was always relaxed and carefree and a truly talented performer.

Even when the curtain closed and the lights were down, Darryl continued giving.

“After concerts he would always visit the audience in the foyer to sign autographs” said Julie.

“For nearly 20 years, Darryl included the choristers on his CD recording. He wanted choristers to share his love of music and understand the importance of selling a song.

“Together with NIYPAA’s Artistic Directors, Darryl helped expand the chorister’s repertoire. He included musical numbers, songs from the 80’s, the swing era, songs of the world, Australian music, Christmas and contemporary songs.”

The CD recording with Darryl Cotton was always greatly anticipated by the AYC choristers. Past students have often commented on how Darryl’s involvement with their music education and the CD recoding will always be a highlight.

Darryl touched the life of so many NIYPAA members and has given current and past students and families many memorable moments and experiences.

Julie says that her most important trait of Darryl’s is his professionalism, his passion for musical education and his unforgettable “sparkle” and energy on stage.

“Darryl will always be remembered very fondly by NIYPAA. We will forever be thankful of the care and attention he offered to the musical development of our students and the passion for performing he enlivened in us all.”

Some NIYPAA students and families have sent tributes to Darryl.

If you would like to add to the tributes please subscribe and add them at the bottom of the page and we will pass these on to his family.

We are very saddened to hear of Darryl Cotton’s passing.  Although we do not know him any more than a AYC parent taking their child to his recording sessions, we have had his name and recordings (with AYC) in our household for 10 years, so a sad day for all, we would think, who have the memories of his music and associated experiences

Peter – Parent 

As a child born in 1960’s I grew up with Darryl cotton and his music and just loved it. You can imagine my delight when my boys joined NIYPAA in 2011, only to find out the Darryl was the Patron. This is a very sad day for the music world.  Please pass on our condolences to Darryl’s family.

Daniels Family 

It was with much sorrow that we learned tonight of the passing of Darryl Cotton. Our daughter was a member of the Choir for five years and every one produced a CD with Darryl for friends and family to enjoy. Our daughter was a recipient of the Darryl Cotton Scholarship in 2010 and has many fond memories of working with him. We share with the numerous choristers and families who offer their condolences to his family. May he rest in peace.

Wilcox Family.

I was very sad to hear this news today. Very kind person – full of life! My thoughts are with his family at this sad time 

Kayla – AYC Chorister

So sad. He always had time for us choristers.  He was a great man.

Mandy – AYC Chorister

So sad to hear the news on Darryl Cotton this morning. Sending love to all his friends and family and the lives his music touched. I know at NIYPAA he will always be remembered.

Lareen – AYC Chorister

Deeply saddened by the passing of Darryl Cotton. RIP Darryl. It was an honour to have met you 

Nicole – AYC Chorister

The beauty of an artist passing is that they all leave behind pieces of their heart and soul in the works they created while they walked among us. Thoughts and Prayers with those who are coming to terms with the loss. 

Rebecca – AYC Chorister

So very sad. Our daughter really enjoyed doing the CDs with Darryl and the choir every year. Thoughts and prayers to his family and to those choristers who were fortunate enough to have met him.

Small Family

R.I.P Darryl it is great to have the memory of singing with you on the CD..

Patrice – AYC Chorister

RIP to a great Australian icon DARRYL COTTON.
Your music will be truly missed by me and my fellow choristers of the Australian Youth Choir ♥ The annual CD recordings will never be the same without your presence… Thank you for all the inspiration and dedication you’ve brought to the young choristers of AYC.

Marvi – NIYPAA chorister 

Loved the CD’s he did with the kids – they did in fact bring a “SMILE” to our faces with the beautiful arrangements and harmonies. Our thoughts are with his family at this very sad time.

Rachael – NIYPAA  staff member

Darryl was such a beautiful man with so much patience and joy. He was cheeky and very  humble. I loved spending a few hours with him every year working on the CD. I learned so much from him about professionalism and performance in such a short time, every time.

Liz – Ex Director of Music