Voices of Birralee

Resonance of Birralee is a choir comprising young adults aged 18 - 35 years who collectively bring a wealth of experience, enthusiasm and musical leadership to the Voices of Birralee program. This ensemble performs music from classical to contemporary with a special emphasis on Australian choral music. In the last two years they have premiered several new works including the first two in a series of compositions inspired by the artwork of Vincent van Gogh written by Luke Byrne and Carl Crossin OAM. At their 2022 Queensland in Song Concert they presented premieres of a new work in collaboration with composer Charulatha Mani inspired by the Brisbane River and a choral version of a song by Brisbane singer/songwriter Jo Davie.

Their strengths as an ensemble include their expertise in a broad range of music styles and their ability to adapt their program to suit any event. Resonance have performed with high profile Australian and international artists including John Farnham, Katie Noonan, Kate Ceberano and Josh Groban and with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra and Queensland Pops Orchestra. Their most recent collaborations with the QSO include Handel’s Messiah in 2022 and, Cinematic and Paul Rissmann’s The Lost Thing in 2023.

Following on from the formation of a Birralee Tenth Anniversary Alumni Choir in 2005, Resonance of Birralee was formed under the leadership of Paul Holley. Since then, choristers have enjoyed a range of high-quality singing opportunities. A major highlight for the ensemble was being selected to represent Australia singing at the First World War Centenary Commemorations on the Western Front from 2015 - 2018.

Resonance of Birralee is one of the signature choirs of the Voices of Birralee organisation, a vibrant community arts organisation that believes singing together strengthens community; with choristers collaborating to create expressive music while building a strong sense of self, and audiences being inspired by the beauty and infectiousness of joyous performance. Based in Brisbane, the name Birralee is derived from an indigenous word, Birralii, used in the language of the Yuwaalaraay and Gamilaraay people from North-West NSW and South-West QLD, meaning 'child/children.' What began as a children's choir over 28 years ago led by founder Julie Christiansen OAM now comprises six ensembles (and a seventh project choir), which have attained a remarkable level of professionalism and are highly acclaimed by national and international audiences.

For more information about Voices of Birralee visit www.birralee.org