Melbourne Youth ChoraleMelbourne Youth Chorale Logo
MYC provides a very inclusive environment and both choristers and teachers are friendly and welcoming.”
— Parent

The Melbourne Youth Chorale is made up of children and young people from 3 to 20 years of age.

Children are enrolled in a choir group based on their age and ability.

From our founding in 1986 MYC choir groups were named after the founding Artistic Director, Jean Heriot OAM, and her tutors, Patsy Heffernan, Julie-Ann Dunlop and Graeme Jones. Prompted by our rapid growth in 2022–2023 and expansion of the chorale to 6 groups in 2024, it was decided to rename most of the choirs to musical terms.

We would like to acknowledge founding contributors to MYC, Graham & Angela Jones, Julie Dunlop and Patsy Heffernan and thank them for their contribution to MYC. We're proud to follow their legacy. 

Poco

Introductory Choir

Aged 3–5 years

Wednesdays 4:00 – 4:30 PM

Poco is MYC’s joyful introduction to music and singing, specially designed for children aged 3 to 5 years. Through fun and engaging activities, our youngest choristers explore the foundations of music, including rhythm, pitch, and melody, in a nurturing and playful environment. Led by experienced educators who specialise in early childhood music, Poco helps little […]

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Poco is MYC’s joyful introduction to music and singing, specially designed for children aged 3 to 5 years. Through fun and engaging activities, our youngest choristers explore the foundations of music, including rhythm, pitch, and melody, in a nurturing and playful environment. Led by experienced educators who specialise in early childhood music, Poco helps little ones develop confidence, creativity, and a love for music, setting the stage for a lifetime of musical enjoyment. This program is perfect for young children to make new friends, share the joy of singing, and take their first steps into the world of choral music.

Adagio

Junior Beginners Choir

Aged 6–7 yrs / Grade 1 / Beginner

Wednesdays 4:45 – 5:45PM

MYC's beginner choir for 6-7 year olds, led by Rosie O’Reilly. The choristers in this choir learn the basics of rhythm and solfa through activities and games, as well as songs that are comfortable for small children and songs that stretch them to grow.

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We start training choristers when they are 6 years old and in Grade 1. We introduce choristers to solfa, hand-signs and rhythm through games and other musical activities. As they make progress they are introduced to harmony through songs in canon and eventually performance repertoire. Our Adagio choristers are given a few opportunities in the year to practice performance skills, beginning with small performances for parents and other choristers and progressing to larger audiences.

Andante

Junior Training Choir

Aged 8–9 Years

Wednesdays 4:30 – 6:00PM

A training choir for 8-9 year olds, Andante began late in 2023 to accommodate the huge influx of choristers in the primary age-group. This choir is run by Miriam Alexander. Children from this age up start tutorial group work on MYC's Bronze Book.

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In this group, we focus on developing our choristers’ vocal technique, aural skills and music  literacy. Games and other musical activities based on the Kodaly method of music education form a large part of rehearsals. Andante begin to work on our Bronze level of Music Literacy and can audition for the Performing Choir when they have reached an appropriate level of skills and when there are vacancies in the Performing Choir.  The Andante choir is given several opportunities throughout the year to practice their performance skills with an audience joining the Allegretto Junior Performance Choir at Melbourne Youth Chorale concerts and citizenship ceremonies.

Allegretto

Junior Performance Choir

Aged 10–11 Years

Wednesdays 4:30 – 6:30pm

MYC's Junior Performance Choir for 10-11 year olds is. Directed by Mike Mews, this group is at capacity and has come an impressively long way over the last two years. If the waitlist grows enough we'll introduce a new choir for this age group in the next twelve months.

Mike Mews

Teacher

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In this group, we focus on developing our choristers’ vocal technique, aural skills and music  literacy. Games and other musical activities based on the Kodaly method of music education form a large part of rehearsals. Allegretto begin to work on our Bronze level of Music Literacy and can audition for the Performing Choir when they have reached an appropriate level of skills and when there are vacancies in the Performing Choir.  The Allegretto choir is given several opportunities throughout the year to practice their performance skills with an audience joining the Vivace Senior Choir at Melbourne Youth Chorale concerts and citizenship ceremonies.

Vivace

Senior Performance Choir

Aged 12–20 Years

Wednesdays 5:30 – 8:00PM

The Vivace Choir, led primarily by MYC's Artistic Director Caitlyn Bosch, is MYC's senior performance choir. Teenagers of all backgrounds and abilities are provided a full Kodaly music training program. The Vivace choir also divides into treble and baritone choirs, providing a safe space for choristers to explore their changing voices. We're looking to grow this group over the next two years, so if you know of any teens who would like affordable music lessons, please let them know about MYC!

Caitlyn Bosch

Artistic Director

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Vivace is MYC’s performing choir and entry is at the discretion of the teaching staff. Members of Vivace have advanced vocal, aural and music reading skills. In this group, we work to develop the young people’s vocal, musicianship and performance skills, equipping them with the tools required to be a well-rounded musician. Members participate in tutorial groups, progressing through a curriculum consisting of Bronze, Silver and Gold levels. Our annual camp/workshops are an essential part of our music education program for Vivace members. Vivace singers perform at a variety of events throughout the year including at festivals, competitions, community events, carol concerts as well as corporate and promotional events. The choir may be involved in national and international tours and recording of CDs.

Vivace may be used as the compulsory ensemble component of VCE music studies.

Rubato

Youth beginners, non-auditioned

Aged 10–17 years

Wednesdays 6:00 – 7:30PM

A new training choir starting Term 1, 2025 for young people aged 10–17 who are beginners with music, singing, or choral singing. No auditions or previous experience required. All are welcome. Learn to sing and read music in a supportive and friendly community of young people.

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A new training choir starting Term 1, 2025 for young people aged 10–17 who are beginners with music, singing, or choral singing. No auditions or previous experience required. All are welcome. Learn to sing and read music in a supportive and friendly community of young people.

Flying Free

Additional Needs Choir

Children With Additional Needs, Aged 8–12 Years

Wednesdays 4:30 – 5:15pm

Flying Free is for primary-aged children with additional needs, and is facilitated by Joey Cho, music therapist to explore communication and socialisation skills through singing. Children in the Flying Free Choir have specific learning goals and performance opportunities alongside all of MYC's choirs.

Joey Cho

Music Therapist

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Melbourne Youth Chorale’s Flying Free Therapy Choir is specifically tailored to children who live with additional needs, aged 8-12. Directed by a registered Speech Pathologist, children in the Flying Free choir participate in games and activities that explore communication and socialisation through music. See Video

Heriot

Chamber Choir

By Invitation

Wednesdays 4:30 – 5:30PM

The Heriot Chamber Choir is an extension choir for senior choristers to explore difficult music. This group is ably lead by Simon Loveless, who has been involved with MYC since its early days. Simon is ambitious, and the Heriot choristers rise to the challenge.

Simon Loveless

Deputy Artistic Director

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Named for our founder, Jean Heriot OAM, Heriot is our senior chamber choir. This is Melbourne Youth Chorale’s only auditioned choir. Choristers must be at a high level in their musicianship skills, be able to sight-read music, learn new repertoire quickly and be able to hold their own part. Our Heriot choristers perform regularly, sometimes alongside Jones and sometimes by themselves.