In their seven-year history they have performed Australian music to audiences in the United Kingdom on several occasions, New Zealand, Bosnia, Canada, France, Spain, Belgium, Croatia, Hungary, Germany, The Czech Republic, and The United States on two occasions, and performed extensively throughout Australia. Their commitment to the developmental process is realised with six compact discs and two education kits which they have released for use in schools, choirs and community groups.

Their achievements in choral excellence have been rewarded on numerous occasions. In 1998 they were awarded Best Performance and other major prizes at the prestigious Bela Bartok International Choral Competition in Hungary and most recently in the International Choral Eisteddfod in Llangollen in Wales when they took out First Prize in the Youth Choir Catagory, First Prize in the Chamber Choir Catagory, Second Prize in the Folk Music Catagory, and were Finalists in the Choir of the World Competition.

In 1996 they were selected as the Official Choir to represent Australia at the 4th International World Symposium on Choral Music.

Performances of this acclaimed ensemble are guaranteed to be innovative and inspirational. And with a mix of traditional and new, sacred and secular music we are sure that this music will excite, stimulate and entertain those who dare to listen.

In 2001 The Australian Voices performed new Australian music to overwhelming critical acclaim in performances across Australia, in the United Kingdom, Spain, France and Belgium.

Reviews

No Sound Like Home - Eighth Australian Voices Festival (May 2001)
The Australian Voices directed by Stephen Leek glided smoothly through shifting harmonies, their choral tone clean and clear, perfectly integrated, with never a sound out of place or line, as demonstrated in Nigel Butterley's "Exultate Domino", which he recently revived for them. "

Courier Mail - Patricia Kelly
 

The Australian Voices Christmas Concert, Brisbane (December 2000)
"Formed in 1993, The Australian Voices, are a group of unprofessional singers, aged between 16 and 23, the creation of composer-choral magician Stephen Leek, whose inspirational direction lights up every expression on their vibrant young faces. On this occasion the choir comprised 8 women and 12 men. Balance, phrasing and intonation were equally true and effortless - most of the choral items were delivered from memory - even if some of the group’s signature oomph and rhythmic verve were swallowed by the acoustic."

These qualities return in abundance in the group’s latest and sixth CD, Sea Children, now released on its own label TAV-006. Another all-Australian program, its progam has thrilled concert audiences in recent years. Paul Stanhope’s kaleidoscopic Geography Songs and the spunky Tides of Ocean by Matthew Orlovich are featured alongside Stephen Leek’s Verticle Blue, settings of the Slessor Five Bells poems, surely as much an Australian classic as their text."

Vincent Plush

Contact details and further information

E-mail The Australian Voices

For further details, see The Australian Voices's website