Sing with the RMP – one of Australia’s great choirs!

RMP perform Messiah in Melbourne Town Hall

Be a part of a great Australian choir! Experience the thrill of performing fine choral music to appreciative audiences, and becoming a part of a friendly, social organisation. Under the direction of one of Australia’s leading choral directors, the RMP choir is a dynamic and busy ensemble, often called upon to perform at many of Melbourne’s major events in the city’s most prestigious venues.

A large and friendly ensemble of some 120 voices, the RMP is widely regarded as one of the nation’s finest and most versatile symphonic choirs, and its performances receive widespread critical and audience acclaim for their energy, passion, and vitality.  Whilst most concerts feature the Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Orchestra, the choir has also recently performed with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Victoria, The Australian Ballet, Hobart Chamber Orchestra, Australian Army Band, Melbourne Youth Orchestra, Plexus Ensemble and Australian Army Band.

In recent seasons RMP choir members have performed alongside, and recorded backing vocals for artists ranging from Josh Groban and John Farnham, to Olivia Newton John, Mark Vincent, Dami Im, Silvie Paladino, Jemma Rix, Jimmy Barnes, Tim Campbell, Tim Minchin, Delta Goodrem, iconic Aussie Rock Band The Angels,  and even the Indie Band “The Temper Trap” at the AFL Grand Final! Several studio recordings featuring the RMP have gone to number one on the Australian pop charts.

In 2022 the RMP Choir and Orchestra were honoured to back internationally celebrated tenor Andrea Bocelli and his family at Rod Laver Arena in front of a sellout audience of over 15,000 people.

The RMP choir regularly performs at high-profile events around the city and records for TV and Radio. In 2017 the choir participated in several successful CD recordings including Mark Vincent’s A Tribute to Mario Lanza Album; John Farnham and Olivia Newton John’s Friends Forever Christmas CD and Silvie Paladino’s O Holy Night Christmas CD.

RMP performing with iconic Aussie rock band The Angels

Other recent events have included numerous Melbourne Cup TV broadcasts, Prime Minister’s Olympic Dinner,  the ANZAC Dawn Ceremony, and The Battle of Australia Commemorations at the Shrine of Remembrance, seasons with the Australian Ballet, the Victorian Tourism Awards, and more!

The choir also regularly performs at Australian Citizenship Ceremonies at Melbourne Town Hall, and for major civic and sporting events in the City of Melbourne.

Check out our  concert lists page to see a selection of past concerts.

2024 SEASON HIGHLIGHTS

CARL ORFF: Carmina Burana  Melbourne Town Hall

CARL VINE: Choral Symphony (No. 6) Melbourne Town Hall

EDWARD ELGAR: The Dream of Gerontius in Auckland Town Hall, New Zealand

WOLFGANG MOZART: Coronation Mass Deakin Edge, Federation Square

MELBOURNE FESTIVAL OF CHOIRS  St Paul’s Cathedral

SAM KRISTY: Quasimodo The Musical (The Untold Story of the Hunchback of Notre Dame) Capitol Theatre (World Premiere)

G.F. HANDEL: Messiah Melbourne Town Hall

CAROLS IN THE CATHEDRAL, Three spectacular concerts in St Paul’s Cathedral

 Everyone is welcome to audition for the RMP.

RMP Choir performing with Tim Campbell at the Prime Minister’s Olympic Gala 2012

Successful applicants will be able to read music well, and will have some sight-reading/sight singing skills. Good intonation and the ability to learn quickly is also required.

Whilst classical training (instrumental and or vocal) is an advantage, it is not a prerequisite.

We are looking for singers with sound choral and aural skills, as well as high degree of vocal ability, a desire to have fun, and who value musical excellence through dedication and commitment to regular attendance at both rehearsals and performances.

There are currently vacancies in all voice parts. High sopranos, tenors and low basses are particularly welcome to apply.

RMP choir and orchestra perform Handel Dixit Dominus at MRC, 2023

RECENT HIGHLIGHTS:

Beethoven Mass in C Major Op. 86 (VENUE: Melbourne Recital Centre)

Verdi’s Messa da Requiem (VENUE: Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne )

Melbourne Festival of Choirs (VENUE: St Paul’s Cathedral, Melbourne)

Dvorak Stabat Mater (VENUE: Melbourne Recital Centre)

The Prime Minister’s 10th Olympic Dinner (VENUE: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre)

Carols in the Cathedral (VENUE: St Paul’s Cathedral, Melbourne)

Across the Vast, Eternal Sky – The music of Ola Gjeilo   ( VENUE: Hawthorn Arts Centre)

Tchaikovsky ‘Moscow’ Coronation Cantata and opera: Tchaikovsky, Angel of Music (VENUE: Melbourne Town Hall)

RMP perform Messiah at Melbourne Town Hall

John Rutter’s Requiem and RMP Aria (VENUE: Deakin Edge, Federation Square, Melbourne)

Andrea Bocelli in Concert (VENUE: Rod Laver Arena)

Handel’s Dixit Dominus (VENUE: Melbourne Recital Centre)

Mozart’s Requiem in D minor (VENUE: St Paul’s Cathedral, Melbourne)

Handel’s Messiah (VENUE: Melbourne Town Hall)

Recent  Press Quotes: 

“This was an experienced choir, trained with painstaking care to form a disciplined ensemble.”

– Heather Leviston, Classic Melbourne 2022

“Always impressive were the arrangements and orchestrations of the concert performances by the combined adult choirs. Each song showcased unified and balanced female or male settings, descant lines were secure and dramatic, visual presentation was professional and disciplined with musical detail and expression exemplary at all times.”

– Julie McErlain, Classic Melbourne 2022

“Excellent Melbourne Messiah heralds the Australian Christmas season…. (The) singing was uniformly excellent.  Wailes is the artistic director of the RMP Choir and Orchestra, and he has certainly done an impressive job here. The choir was somewhat larger than one might have been expected, but was exemplary in its discipline and diction.” – Sandra Bowdler, Bachtrack 2023

Commitment to excellence

The RMP Choir rehearses weekly on Tuesday evenings from February – December at the historic Drill Hall in the Melbourne CBD (239 A’Beckett Street , Melbourne). There are also some Friday rehearsals, and orchestral or dress rehearsals on concert days, depending on particular concert programs and venues.

RMP Choristers are expected to attend most rehearsals and participate in most major concerts (within reason), unless there are exceptional circumstances. RMP Choristers are also asked to give prior notice if they are indeed unable to attend for a special reason to enable smooth planning. Infrequent attendance or irregular concert participation may result in a chorister being asked to re-audition or give up their place in the choir, or not to perform in a given concert.

Voice Sections:

Vacancies currently exist in all sections of the choir:

Soprano 1, Soprano 2, Alto 1, Alto 2, Tenor 1, Tenor 2, Bass 1 and Bass 2.

High sopranos, baritones and low basses are particularly welcome.

Discounts for students and young adults:

Music students wishing to gain valuable performance experience are especially encouraged to apply. Performing with the RMP is a wonderful way to gain valuable performing experience, improve sight-reading and aural skills, improve vocal technique,and to network with other musicians. Discounts for full-time students apply, and there is also a reduced membership rate for under 25’s.