Founded in 1984 by Judith Curphey OAM, the Australian Girls Choir (AGC) has developed a reputation for inspirational performances to audiences in Australia and around the world.Founded in 1984 by Judith Curphey OAM, the Australian Girls Choir (AGC) has developed a reputation for inspirational performances to audiences in Australia and around the world.
From a group of just 150 junior girls rehearsing in the Melbourne suburb of Burwood with Judith as the sole conductor, the AGC has blossomed to 3,500 girls currently in training in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney, and the organisation has become a much loved Australian cultural icon.
The angelic voices of the AGC have been heard at many hundreds of public performances around Australia and the world including singing for Nelson Mandela at World Reconciliation Day Celebrations, the State Reception Dinner for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the Boy from Oz Australian Tour, Andre Rieu Australian Tour, Melbourne Cup, Australian Open and Carols by Candlelight. Recently the AGC were thrilled to perform at Oprah Winfrey’s live Australian show at the Sydney Opera House. These inspirational young singers have been chosen to perform alongside many of our finest musicians and entertainers including Hugh Jackman, John Farnham, Olivia Newton-John, Marina Prior and the Adelaide and Melbourne Symphony Orchestras.
Further afield, the AGC has toured on 27 occasions with their voices reaching almost every corner of the globe. An audience with Pope Benedict XVI, performance for the King of Tonga, UNICEF benefit concert at the Hanoi Opera House and the Shanghai World Expo are just a few of their international accomplishments.
In addition to live performances, the AGC are in regular demand for recording projects which have included the Myer Spirit of Christmas CD, ARIA Award nominated album Australia’s Christmas Spirit, Channel 7 Olympic Theme Song and the hit single Courageous with Melinda Schneider.
A true recognition of the choir’s success is its selection by Qantas to represent the ‘Spirit of Australia’ in the hugely successful ‘I Still Call Australia Home’ advertising campaigns, which have captured the hearts of the nation. Many thousands of choristers have been involved in the filming of the advertisements in exotic locations around the world and in hundreds of high profile performances for Qantas since 1998.
While senior choristers dazzle the world with their exciting performances, the journey begins in the junior training levels where any girl with a love of the performing arts can take part in the AGC’s fun and dynamic classes in the training levels. The founding philosophy behind this magical institution is that any child can sing with encouragement and training.