Supported by the Arts OutWest Cultural Fund in 2026.
Orange Male Voice Choir presents a Choral Masterclass with Paul Jarman
Friday 19 June, 5pm – 9pm at Pigot Auditorium, Kinross Wolaroi School, Orange.
Paul Jarman is one of Australia’s favourite choral composers and conductors. Covers warm ups, repertoire selection, performance and stage presence. Suitable for high school aged and adult choir members and directors.
$10 includes light supper. Book: Choral Workshop Master Class
Optional: Join OMVC to perform in Solstice and Song on Saturday 20 June, 6.30pm at Hillside Harvest in Borenore.
The Orange Male Voice Choir turns 100 in 2026.
We caught up with Orange Male Voice Choir in the lead up to the workshop:
What kinds of music does Orange Male Voice Choir love to sing?
The Choir’s repertoire is quite diverse. It ranges across popular, folk, musical theatre, traditional, opera, sacred and world music. Occasionally the group has sung in foreign languages including Welsh, Italian, Swahili and even Finnish.
Tell us about Paul Jarman – why is everyone excited for this workshop?
Paul is a consummate musician/composer/arranger especially well-known to the Australian choral community but also internationally. He has been a performer in his own right (initially with Australia’s first world music band Sirocco), is a multi-instrumentalist and has performed at the White House for Barrack Obama on the 40th anniversary of Dr Martin Luther King’s death. As a composer, his commissions (over 200 of them) have included many works for national and international events. Some of Paul Jarman’s compositions have become standards in the modern repertoire. Apart from his great technical skills, Paul is a wonderful communicator who unfailingly inspires those with whom he works. He’s especially noted for his work with children’s choirs. Paul’s passion and enthusiasm for the power of music in the human experience is at the centre of a generous and dynamic personality.
What are some key skills choirs benefit from?
Vocal technique & voice production
Music notation & reading
Ensemble singing
Vocal health
Vocal exercises
Song interpretation
Audience engagement & communication
Why do people love being in a choir like OMVC?
Our choir members experience the well-documented benefits common to all choirs – social contact, psychological health and intellectual stimulation to name a few. Friendship and camaraderie have always been a feature of this choir. The men are supportive of each other and form close bonds. With their close harmony male choirs produce a unique sound. Experiencing that is empowering, gratifying and uplifting. Sharing the human experience through music with each other and with audience is its own reward. At times even transformative!
OMVC is coming up to 100 years – what keeps it strong?
The nature of the enterprise provides its own impetus and motivation. In our case tradition probably plays a role but at its heart the Choir has always been blessed with great people generously providing their musical skills and expertise. Very sound management structures and hardworking administrators have also been key – a lesser role in OMVC’s longevity but nevertheless a quite vital one.
What have been some of the highlights for OMVC in recent years?
Perhaps just getting to the Centenary year has been an achievement in itself. Many choirs dropped by the wayside during and following Covid but OMVC has survived. Concerts with the celebrated singer/songwriter Eric Bogle in which Paul Jarman conducted his own choral arrangements of Bogle songs were outstanding successes. A memorable concert was the centenary of the London Welsh Male Choir in the Royal Albert Hall (London) in 2002 with almost 1000 male singers. For OMVC members, performing for a large audience of many hundreds and the intimate audience of a nursing home brings the same rewards.
When can we next hear OMVC sing?
At Hillside Harvest Orchard on Sat. 20/6 in its Solstice concert with Cantar and guest conductor Paul Jarman.
Image: Paul Jarman