The WASO Chorus

The WASO Chorus was formed in 1988 and is made up of 180 choristers who represent the finest form of community music making, bringing together singers from all walks of life.

The Chorus is a highly skilled ensemble of auditioned singers from Perth and surrounding areas, who give their time voluntarily. They regularly feature in the WASO annual concert season, and have developed a reputation for excellence in music ranging from Baroque to contemporary.

In 2005, WASO appointed Chorus Director Marilyn Phillips who is respected as one of Australia's leading choral directors. Marilyn was Head of Music with West Australian Opera from 1995 to 2005. She is an elected Associate of the Royal Academy of Music, and was awarded a Centenary Medal for services to Australian opera.

For further WASO Chorus enquiries or if you are interested in singing with the WASO Chorus please contact Stephen McAllan, Artist Liaison and Chorus Administrator, on (08) 9326 0051 or email mcallans@waso.com.au.

Click here to download some general information about the WASO Chorus.

Want to audition for the WASO Chorus?

The West Australian Symphony Orchestra (WASO) Chorus was formed in 1988 and is made up of 120 choristers, bringing together singers from all walks of life.

In 2013, the Chorus will feature in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl*, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring as well as Poulenc’s Gloria and Verdi’s Requiem to celebrate Paul Daniel’s last season as Principal Conductor of WASO.

WASO will hold auditions for interested singers on Sunday 17 February and Sunday 10 March.

To audition, you are required to sing a classical song of your choice, bringing with you two copies of the music. You will also sing a designated choral excerpt and be taken through some vocal exercises. Auditions take 5 to 10 minutes. Fear not: all auditions are accompanied, and nerves are taken into account! Your chosen piece should not be a hymn or a vocal line from a choral work.

To book an audition or for further audition information contact Alan Tyrrell by email at tyrrella@waso.com.au

Please note – after Wednesday 13 February, you should contact Stephen McAllan at mcallans@waso.com.au

Audition spaces are limited.

*Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl features a male voice chorus. To be involved in this exciting project, you should be prepared to audition on 17 February.

waso chorus on tour

Following their acclaimed performances of Brahms’ A German Requiem with Simone Young and WASO in 2012, the WASO Chorus embarked on their first international tour in November 2012 for performances of this masterpiece with the Hong Kong Philharmonic under the baton of Maestro Jaap van Zweden.
 
80 choristers toured Hong Kong for a week of rehearsals, culminating in two performances at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre on Friday 30 November and Saturday 1 December before returning to Perth to perform in WASO’s Symphony in the City concert on Saturday 8 December.
 
‘We are thrilled to be joined by the WASO Chorus, one of Australia’s finest choirs, for these performances with our Music Director Jaap van Zweden. We’re looking forward to welcoming this exceptional chorus to Hong Kong, and collaborating on Brahms’ masterpiece – these concerts will be a highlight of our first season with Maestro van Zweden.’ Raff Wilson, Director of Artistic Planning, Hong Kong Philharmonic.

Waso chorus concerts in 2013

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
7.30pm, Saturday 27 April
Riverside Theatre, Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre

Debussy, Haydn & Poulenc
7.30pm, Friday 7 & Saturday 8 June
Perth Concert Hall

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
7.30pm, Friday 21 & Saturday 22 June
Riverside Theatre, Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre

The Big Sing
1.30pm, Sunday 20 October
Perth Concert Hall

Jean-Yves Thibaudet Plays Gershwin
7.30pm, Friday 29 & Saturday 30 November
Perth Concert Hall

Verdi's Requiem
7.30pm, Friday 6 & Saturday 7 December
Perth Concert Hall

Symphony in the City
7.30pm, Saturday 14 December
Langley Park, Perth
 

The WASO Chorus is supported by Lotterywest.