Australia’s national youth choir, Gondwana Chorale, was established in 2008. Its members come from throughout Australia and range in age from 17 – 26. They perform music that is close to their hearts: new Australian works which capture the mystery and grandeur of our land and display the cultural diversity of the Australian people. The work of the choir is a powerful expression of the determination of young Australians to work together to create extraordinary musical ensembles. For the past five years, the choir has been conducted by Paul Holley OAM, Associate Director of Birralee Voices and Carl Crossin OAM, Head of the Elder Conservatorium of Music.

The sound of Gondwana Chorale is vibrant and energetic, indicative of their intensive rehearsal process and the joy of being together. The choir has performed nationally in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Tasmania. International tours have included New Zealand (2011) and UK and France (2013). In 2015 the choir formed the Gondwana Centenary Chorale with young singers from and Turkey, France and New Zealand to commemorate the centenary of the Gallipoli campaign, giving the world premiere of James Ledger’s War Music with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.

In February 2017 Gondwana Chorale toured the USA for the first time. The choir prepared for the tour with intensive rehearsals at Gondwana National Choral School. Paul Holley and Carl Crossin led the 43 choristers in an adventurous program that featured emerging composers Alice Chance, Joseph Twist, Luke Byrne and Daniel Brinsmead. A tour highlight was performing with host choirs USC Chamber Singers, Redlands Chapel Singers, Stanford Chamber Chorale, Temple University Concert Choir and Boston City Singers.

The choir will undertake a major tour of the UK and Baltic States following National Choral School 2019.