Ensembles

The Conservatorium of Music at Avondale University welcomes new members to audition for its seven ensembles.

The Promise

The Promise began in 2005. The touring vocal ensemble performs eight-part harmony repertoire ranging from the classics to contemporary gospel and jazz. The Promise has recorded four albums, the latest, Jesus: HIStory, with the Avondale Jazz Ensemble in 2013. The Promise performed with James and John Morrison in 2014 and collaborated with The Song Company in 2015.
Artistic director
Aleta King
Vocal coaches
Ghillian Sullivan
Blake Parham
Membership
Open to Avondale University students for soprano, alto, tenor and bass voices. Entry by audition only.
Rehearsals
Three hours a week during the academic year.

Avondale Singers

Avondale Singers began in 1947. With extensive touring and release of records played on radio, it soon gained national recognition for excellence, performing for the first television broadcast of a choral group in Sydney. Its repertoire ranges from gospel and spiritual arrangements to classical oratorio with orchestra in four- to eight-part harmony. The singers have performed at Sydney Opera House in 2009 and 2010 and feature in the cultural and spiritual life of Avondale through regular performances at Homecoming and Graduation. It also released a performance of Handel’s Messiah on DVD in 2013. Collaborations with the Newcastle Wind Orchestra—Prokofiev’s Alexander Nevsky in 2014, Stravinsky’s Symphony of Psalms in 2015 and, in an Australian premiere performance for wind orchestra, Jenkins’ The Armed Man: Mass for Peace in 2018—have followed.
Director
Aleta King
Accompanist
Christina An
Membership
Open to Avondale University staff members, students and members of the community for soprano, alto, tenor and bass voices. An audition may be required.
Rehearsals
Music Hall M09, Mondays, 7-8.30 pm

Avondale Chamber Orchestra

Avondale Chamber Orchestra began in 1911. The orchestra is comprised of the Avondale String Orchestra and the Avondale Wind Ensemble. It functions in a range of roles from small chamber works to larger orchestral and choral works.
Director and conductor
Aleta King
Concertmaster
Dr Sohyun Eastham
Membership
Open to Avondale University staff members, students and members of the community for string, wind, brass and percussion orchestral instruments. Ideally, members should be at an intermediate to advanced level on their instrument. An audition may be required.
Rehearsals
As required

Avondale String Orchestra

Director
Dr Sohyun Eastham
Principal cellist
Gavin Clark
Membership
Open to Avondale University staff members, students and members of the community for string orchestral instruments. Ideally, members should be at an intermediate to advanced level on their instrument. An audition may be required.
Rehearsals
Music Hall M09, Mondays, 5.15-7.15 pm

Avondale Wind Ensemble

Director
Ian Cook
Membership
Open to Avondale University staff members, students and members of the community for wind, brass and percussion orchestral instruments. Ideally, members should be at an intermediate to advanced level on their instrument. An audition may be required.
Rehearsals
Weekly

Avondale Jazz Ensemble

Avondale Jazz Ensemble began in 2012 and within a year performed as support for the Adrian Cunningham Quartet. It recorded its debut album, Jesus: HIStory, with Avondale vocal ensemble The Promise in 2013. The jazz ensemble performed with James and John Morrison in 2014.
Director
David Pudney
Membership
Open to Avondale University staff members, students and members of the community for double bass, drums, guitar, horns, piano, percussion and voice. Ideally, members should be at an intermediate to advanced level on their instrument. An audition may be required.
Rehearsals
Greer Hall GH7, Thursdays, 4.30-6 pm

Avondale Guitar Ensemble

Avondale Guitar Ensemble began in 2012. It performs a variety of musical styles from Renaissance to popular music.
Director
Terry Latham
Membership
Open to Avondale University staff members, students and members of the community for guitar instruments. Ideally, members should be at an intermediate to advanced level on their instrument. An audition may be required.
Rehearsals
Weekly

Contact: Marina Besseny