ChorusOz 2027 | St Matthew Passion
ABOUT ChorusOz
ChorusOz® was created in 2006 by Brett Weymark to allow those who couldn’t commit to a regular choir the opportunity to sing once a year on a world-class stage. It has since become a fixture in the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Philharmonia Choirs calendar.
ChorusOz is an opportunity for singers of all levels – from first timers to experts – to immerse themselves in a major choral work over a full weekend, culminating in a performance of the music. 2027 will be the 19th ChorusOz and we will welcome people from across Australia and internationally to enjoy the experience of singing Johann Sebastian Bach’s St Matthew Passion – in its 300th anniversary year – led by Artistic & Music Director Brett Weymark.
Participants will share the experience with hundreds of other passionate singers, world-class soloists and the Sydney Philharmonia Orchestra. This is a life-changing experience and one you will never forget.
ABOUT ST MATTHEW PASSION
Composed by JS Bach in 1727, St Matthew Passion is widely regarded as one of the greatest works in Western music. It sets parts of St Matthew’s Gospel (Chapters 26 and 27) that describe the trail and crucifixion of Christ to music, intended to be performed as part of the Good Friday Vespers at Leipzig’s Thomaskirche where Bach was cantor. It was performed again in 1729, 1736 and 1742 but was then overlooked until Mendelssohn revived it (and Bach’s popularity) with his own orchestrated version in Berlin in 1829.
After the opening choral, Jesus announces that he will be crucified in the coming days and the story unfolds from there, through to his descent from the cross and burial. The drama is revealed in arias and chorales between the characters – Jesus, the Evangelist, Pilate, Judas, other apostles, the chorus as Crowds – at times turbulent, reflective, tragic and impossibly beautiful.
St Matthew Passion comprises two choruses, two orchestras (each with continuo organ) and a group of soloists as the main characters. Its genius comes through in the way the orchestras, soloists and choirs weave around each other, with rich and delicious harmonies and details.
DATES
ChorusOz workshops will take place at Sydney Opera House on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 June 2027. The concert will take place on Sunday 13 June, 5pm.
SCHEDULE
Saturday 12 June
Check in from 7.30am
Rehearsals 9am–4pm
Sunday 13 June
Rehearsals from 9am
Performance 5pm
PREPARING FOR THE WEEKEND
There’s no audition or vocal assessment, however, the ability to follow a music score will be an advantage. You will also need a basic understanding of music and musical terms. It is expected that you will use the score, text and teaching tracks provided as part of your registration to prepare yourself before the weekend.
T-SHIRTS
Your fee includes a souvenir ChorusOz T-Shirt which all choristers will wear for the Sunday performance. If necessary, refer to the sizing chart below and select your size when registering.
- Ladies’ size 6, 8 and 10 is equivalent to XS.
- Ladies’ 12 equivalent to S.
- Ladies’ 14 equivalent to M
- Ladies’ 16 equivalent to L and so forth.
SCORES & MUSIC
We will be singing in German.
Scores will be available for posting in the last quarter of 2026.
Any orders received after Friday 11 December will be posted in the new year.
Teaching tracks will be provided to guide you through the music and assist with your preparation. These will also be available for download in the last quarter of 2026.
VOICE PARTS
For St Matthew Passion the choir will be divided into two equal parts – Choir 1 & Choir 2.
When you register please select either Choir 1 or Choir 2 and your voice part. There is little difference between voice parts in Choirs 1 and 2 for ChorusOz 2027.
We suggest family, friendship and choir groups register in the same Choir at the same time as some parts in either choir may reach capacity early.
The vocal ranges for Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass are shown below.
Any general queries or registrations for others or multiple choristers, call us on (02) 8274 6200 (Monday-Friday 9am-5pm).
BEFORE YOU REGISTER
Please take a moment to read the important information above. Please ensure you can commit to the full weekend in Sydney – Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 June 2027.
Please read the Chorister Terms and Conditions here before registering. Registrations Close: Monday 31 May 2027 unless sold out earlier.
Register yourself online by clicking the links below.
Multiple/Other registrations: If you would like to register multiple choristers (eg, yourself and your partner/friend), or register another person as a gift, please do not do this online below. Please register by telephone. Call Sydney Philharmonia Choirs on (02) 8274 6200 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm). Or email [email protected]
For all other general queries also call the Sydney Philharmonia Choirs Office on (02) 8274 6200 during office hours, Monday-Friday 9am-5pm. Or email [email protected]
Postage cut off: Monday 24 May. All registrations past this date will need to be collected from our office (details to be sent) or collected at check in on Saturday 12 June.
REGISTRATION
We recommend you book as soon as possible so you can receive your score as soon as possible and start practising.
Cost: $439 per adult – including GST – and includes:
- Your specially prepared St Matthew Passion score, and postage to your address.
- Digital access to rehearsal tracks
- Souvenir ChorusOz T-shirt
- Souvenir ChorusOz program book
- All day tea and coffee on Sunday at Sydney Opera House
- All rehearsals on Saturday and Sunday led by Music Director and Conductor, Brett Weymark
- Your performance at the Sydney Opera House on Sunday 7 June 2026, 5pm
When you Register for ChorusOz, you will be directed to a page housed by the Sydney Opera House. Sydney Philharmonia Choirs is a Resident Company of the Sydney Opera House and we share a booking system. You will need to log in or register. Your ChorusOz registration will be received by Sydney Philharmonia Choirs.
As you proceed it will look like you are buying an ‘e-ticket’ to an event, but please be assured you are registering for ChorusOz.
- Do not select Best Seats +: select your voice type.
- The 12 June date you see refers to the first rehearsal date.
- You will not be charged a booking fee for registering for ChorusOz.
Once completed, you will receive a confirmation email from Sydney Opera House.
Register for ChorusOz 2027 | St Matthew Passion
Again, any general queries or registrations for others or multiple choristers, call us on (02) 8274 6200 (Monday-Friday 9am–5pm). Or email us on [email protected]
ChorusOz | St Matthew Passion PERFORMANCE TICKETS
Tickets for the performance will go on sale in late November 2026.
Once you have registered, you will be sent your special Chorister discount code which can be used when purchasing tickets to the performance.
Seats will be very limited so we encourage you to book early!
