Woden Valley Youth Choir

About

It was the year when three American astronauts were launched to the moon. But in Canberra, 1969 also marked the launch of a unique cultural institution: Woden Valley Youth Choir.

Supported by his pianist wife, Barbara, local teacher, Don Whitbread, visited local schools and churches to gather support for a community choir which would be open to all children who passed a singing audition. The first auditions were held in 1969, and twenty-two children between the ages of 9 and 16 attended the first rehearsal. With Don conducting and Barbara playing the piano, the Woden Valley Youth Choir was born.

More than forty years later, the Choir continues to thrive and to serve the local community. Alpha Gregory, the Artistic Director and conductor of the Performing Choir since 1997, has enlisted a band of excellent musical educators to assist with the training of the singers. Supported by volunteers from the parent body, the choir moves from strength to strength.