Our Story
Founded in 1902, the Ballarat Choral Society has been enriching the city's musical life for well over a century. In its early years, under conductor Haydn West, the Society achieved notable success in the prestigious South Street competitions, winning several choral championships and even travelling interstate to compete. Like many community organisations, the Society's activities were interrupted during the First World War, but it re-emerged in the post-war years and has remained a vibrant part of Ballarat's cultural life ever since.
The Society is continuing to research its history and welcomes photographs, programmes and other memorabilia that may help document its early years.
What We Do
The choir presents at least three concert programs each year, including a major choral work. Its repertoire spans music from many periods and styles, from large-scale sacred and secular works to shorter pieces, with Australian composers regularly featured. The Ballarat Choral Society also values opportunities to perform with other musical organisations and at community events. In recent years, these collaborations have included the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Victorian Opera, the Ballarat Symphony Orchestra and Ballarat Voices, reflecting the Society's commitment to enriching Ballarat's vibrant musical life.
Director of Music
Helen Duggan has been Musical Director of the Ballarat Choral Society since 2008, having previously conducted Ballarat's Saint Cecilia Singers for several years. Under her direction, the choir has presented repertoire spanning the Renaissance to the present day. She has prepared the Society for performances with the Ballarat Symphony Orchestra, Ballarat Wind Orchestra, Moorabool Light Orchestra, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Victorian Opera, and a number of metropolitan and regional choirs. Helen is also Choral Director at Ballarat Central Uniting Church and has served as Chorus Director for Ballarat Chamber Opera and as Musical Director for numerous school and community musical theatre productions.
Beverley Phillips has sung in and accompanied choirs since primary school. She studied music at the University of Melbourne and later at Australian Catholic University, where her teachers included Alan Fraser (piano), John Argall (clarinet), Roy Shephard (accompaniment), Dr Geoffrey Cox (organ) and Roger Heagney (harpsichord). Since 1978, Beverley has served as Director of Music at St Mary's Anglican Church, North Melbourne. She performs regularly as a soloist and accompanist on piano, organ and harpsichord, and as a continuo player. She has a particular interest in promoting the music of Australian composer Rosalie Bonighton.
Accompanist
