Move Records

Melbourne Academy Boys Choir

‘The Melbourne Academy Boys Choir, boys of 10 to 14 years sang with great ease the complex pieces of music which even adult singers might find difficult to perform: the boys' performance was indeed of a very high standard. The Kod·ly piece ‘Gólya, Gólya Gilice’ sung in Hungarian brought tears to many an eye." (Petőfi Népe Kecskemét)

This rave review, typical of the reaction given the Melbourne Academy Boys Choir when performing under the direction of their conductor Andrew Blackburn, was written by Heltai Nandor the official biographer of Kod·ly following their performance in the Great Church of Keckskemet, where Kod·ly was christened. The choir perform at many concerts and festival events throughout the year and, since its formation in 1986, has established a reputation for excellent choral performances in its own right and in conjunction with major arts organisations including the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, the Victorian Arts Centre Trust and Opera Australia.

The children of the Melbourne Academy of choirs (a separate girls' choir was established in 1988) are trained from about the age of 7 following the principals of music education developed by Kod·ly. The choir has a special affinity with his music and the boys are pleased to be able to present some of his pieces on their recording Christmas Joy and A Ceremony of Carols in addition to music by Britten and traditional music associated with the season of Christmas on the Move label.

Melbourne Academy Boys Choir appears on