Sing with the RMP – one of Australia’s great choirs!
RMP Choir performs at the 2013 Melbourne Cup for the International TV broadcast
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 80 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.
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 Choir 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.
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.
Check out our program for this year and our concert lists page to see the current repertoire and a selection of past concerts.
Everyone is welcome to audition for the RMP.
RMP Choir performing with Tim Campbell at the Prime Minister’s Olympic Gala
Successful applicants will be able to read music well, and will have some sight-reading/singing skills. Good intonation and the ability to learn quickly is also required. Whilst classical training is an advantage, it is not a prerequisite.
We are looking for singers with sound choral and aural skills, as well as high 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. Strong baritones and low basses are particularly welcome to apply.
RMP Choir and 3MBS Symphony Orchestra broadcasting from the Melbourne Recital Centre, in February 2020
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: Elisabeth Murdoch Hall, Melbourne Recital Centre
The Prime Minister’s 10th Olympic Dinner
VENUE: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
Handel’s Messiah
VENUE: Melbourne Town Hall
Carols in the Cathedral
VENUE: St Paul’s Cathedral, Melbourne
2022 HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDED:
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 Choir performing Handel’s 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 Messiah
VENUE: Melbourne Town Hall
Carols in the Cathedral
VENUE: St Paul’s Cathedral, Melbourne
“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
Contact our membership secretary by email membership@rmp.org.au to arrange an audition or book online.
If you wish to email the Artistic Director you can contact Andrew Wailes via musicdirector@rmp.org.au
or on 0433 661 971
Commitment to excellence
The RMP Choir rehearses weekly on Tuesday evenings from February – December at the historic Drill Hall in the Melbourne CBD. 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 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.
RMP Choir performing the ANZAC Day Dawn Service, Shrine of Remembrance
Josh Groban and RMP Choir members backstage at the Palais Theatre