Sydney Philharmonia Choirs presents the art of choral singing at the highest standard, and develops the talents of those with a passion for singing, in Sydney and beyond. Founded in 1920, it has become Australia’s finest choral organisation and is a Resident Company of the Sydney Opera House.
Led by Artistic and Music Director Brett Weymark OAM and Associate Music Director Dr Elizabeth Scott, Sydney Philharmonia Choirs comprises three auditioned and three community choirs that perform repertoire from choral classics to musical theatre and commissions by Australian composers. SPC presents its own annual concert season as well as collaborating with leading conductors, soloists and orchestras in Australia and overseas. In 2002, SPC was the first Australian choir to sing at the BBC Proms (Mahler’s Symphony No.8 under Sir Simon Rattle), returning again in 2010 to celebrate its 90th anniversary. The choirs perform in the Sydney Symphony Orchestra’s season every year, as they have done for more than 80 years. SPC also presents community singing events throughout the year – Chorus Oz and singing workshops throughout Sydney and NSW.
The year 2020 was Sydney Philharmonia Choirs’ centenary and saw the realisation of an inspiring commissioning project – 100 Minutes of New Australian Music – featuring works by composers including Elena Kats-Chernin, Deborah Cheetham Fraillon and Brett Dean. In 2022 the Choirs took part in the reopening of the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall, performing Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. In 2023, Brett Weymark celebrated his 20th anniversary as Artistic Director, a highlight be in Mahler’s Eighth Symphony at ChorusOz.
The 2024 season includes performances of Mendelssohn’S Elijah, Rachmaninoff’s Vespers, Ethel Smyth’s Mass in D, hits from the musicals of Rodgers and Hammerstein, Handel’s Messiah and ChorusOz with Karl Jenkins’ The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace and a new commission by Katie Noonan. The Chamber Singers will perform Voices of the Italian Baroque in Canberra in August.