ENSEMBLES 2017

Chapel of St Mark Chamber Choir, Ballarat Grammar

The Chapel of St Mark Chamber Choir was formed in the mid-1990s to provide the opportunity for experienced singers to extend themselves through a cappella and accompanied singing.   Its role is to provide music for School Chapel services and other community events, including ceremonial occasions and church services within the Ballarat Diocese.  

In 1999 the Chamber Choir undertook a study and performance tour to England and Italy, where they performed in venues for which much of their repertoire was written.  The Choir collaborated with fellow Round Square Schools in London and Kent, the sister parish of the Ballarat Anglican Cathedral in London and the Anglican parishes in Rome, Florence and Naples. The Choir also attended services and performances at Temple Church, St Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster Abbey, Kings College Cambridge and the Sistine Chapel in Rome.
 
Since its inception, the Chamber Choir has continued to develop its knowledge and understanding of sacred choral style.  They have explored works by Australian composers and have extended their repertoire in a range of styles. The Choir has enjoyed performing at St Paul’s Cathedral Melbourne and the Ballarat Anglican Cathedral on numerous occasions.  Eisteddfods and Festivals have been complemented by tours throughout regional Victoria.  This amazing group strive to support each other in their musical endeavours and have become a close knit “Chamber Choir family”.

Lyndell Allen

Director of the Chapel of St Mark Chamber Choir

Lyndell Allen has had a lifelong enjoyment of and commitment to choral music, both as a singer and conductor. She started as a chorister at St Paul’s Anglican Church, Geelong at the age of six. This passion was encouraged by a number of choral directors throughout her school education, with opportunities to sing as a chorister with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and directing her first choir as a high school student.

Lyndell completed a Bachelor of Music at the University of Melbourne where she majored in Voice under Merlyn Quaiffe and Peter Mander.  She was also a member of the Trinity College Chapel Choir during this time, working under different directors including Dr Christopher Dearnly.

Lyndell has been fortunate to have had a number of exciting opportunities that have developed and influenced her career as a choral conductor and educator. The most significant of these was receiving a Churchill Fellowship in 2003 to study choral conducting techniques and methodologies in England, the USA and Hungary. Through this Fellowship, Lyndell was able to study and work in leading institutions in each country with notable choral exponents, including Stephen Cleobury, Malcolm Archer, John Scott, James Lancelot, Richard Shephard and Simon Lole (England), James Jordan (USA) and Katalin Kiss and Peter Erdei (Hungary).

Lyndell moved to Ballarat in 1997 to take up a teaching position at Ballarat Grammar.  Since this time she has taught music from K-12 and directed a wide range of ensembles.   She has redesigned and developed the Choral Program, offering members of the wider school community the opportunity to engage with and enjoy choral singing.  Lyndell prepared and directed John Rutter’s Gloria for 100 voice choir, brass and organ, for the Celebration of 100 years of education on the School campus, which was attended by the Governor General of Australia.  In 1998 she was appointed Director of Music at the Anglican Cathedral in Ballarat.  This role includes planning music for all services and direction of the choir.

SCL Artistic Program

Competition Program

Additional Concerts Program