An intern is a member of the musical leadership team of Melbourne Soul & Gospel Choir. These paid, annual internships are integral to the training and development of this 100 voice choir.
In addition, they demonstrate MSG's commitment to offering development pathways for young people into music and encouraging their participation in choirs. As such, the intern-choir relationship is reciprocal with the intern offering their skills while MSG offers payment, profile, experience and training in the running of choral groups.
If you are interested in being considered by Dr Darren Wicks for a choral internship, please view the Position Description and fill in the Intern Application Form.
Apply Now!
Testimonials from our past interns
'Interning for Melbourne Singers of Gospel was a truly joyous appointment. It is rare as a student to have opportunities that both educate and enthrall and this intern role provided both with a dizzying amount of fun thrown in. In my capacity as Tenor intern I was able to work with the choir, both at an individual level with the tenor singers supporting the section leader, and with the whole choir with directing and section rehearsal opportunities. Melbourne Singers of Gospel run by Dr Darren Wicks are such a warm and supportive community, and their level of musicianship and singing, especially for an un-auditioned community choir continues to delight and surprise me. I encourage anyone who loves vocal harmonies and wants to be challenged musically and given great opportunities to grow as a musician and conductor to sign up to the intern program – It was my pleasure to intern for them and I recommend it to any student of music.'
'The Melbourne Singers of Gospel Internship Program has had a significant influence on my development as a choral and ensemble conductor, a teacher, a performer and overall as a musician. Being given the opportunity to lead a large community choir where the musicianship and performance experience ranges from very little to well-trained allows for an experience like no other.
The program had me working closely with small tutorial groups, teaching the aural and theoretical fundamentals of music, as well as conducting and/or supporting larger scale performances such as Moomba and choral festivals. The biggest reason I enjoyed my experience with MSG comes down to the simple fact that it never felt like 'work'. The overwhelming support from Music Director, Dr Darren Wicks, the tireless committee and the enthusiasm of the choir members made for a safe space to grow and further develop my craft. For that I am most grateful.
Since leaving the program, I teach voice on a regular basis, and I've assistant directed as well as music directed a number of musical theatre shows, most recently Little Women: The Musical (OXAGEN Productions). My primary focus is to pursue a career in musical theatre and opera, having spent much of 2014 performing in New York with the Manhattan Opera Studio, and touring with Australian Classical Opera, performing in Carmen and La Traviata throughout China.'
In addition, they demonstrate MSG's commitment to offering development pathways for young people into music and encouraging their participation in choirs. As such, the intern-choir relationship is reciprocal with the intern offering their skills while MSG offers payment, profile, experience and training in the running of choral groups.
If you are interested in being considered by Dr Darren Wicks for a choral internship, please view the Position Description and fill in the Intern Application Form.
Apply Now!
Testimonials from our past interns
Samantha Robertson
'MSG has made my transition into the running of my own choirs, in particular, large groups of people very comfortable. Running my first warmup at MSG was both very terrifying and very exciting. I even remember my hands sweating profusely on the piano! Afterwards the choir provided me with so much positive feedback and encouragement that I was dying to get up again and again…I feel very privileged to have been able to have my first experiences in the spotlight in a supportive learning environment. MSG is both a very warm community and a unique community. It was a totally different experience to any choir I had previously been a part of: the style of repertoire combined with the choristers it attracts really opened my mind, which has just been invaluable.'
Merrily Hanson
'I had the pleasure of being an Intern at MSG for two years, and it was wonderful, every minute. MSG provided many priceless opportunities, and I am very proud to see a Melbourne choir furnishing such a platform for young musicians. Not only did I have the opportunity to observe and take rehearsals, and learn about the administrations side of running such a large ensemble, but I got to conduct the 100 voice choir at Deakin Edge. Even more than the opportunities for personal growth, the real joy has been the acceptance, warmth and enthusiasm I received from the people of MSG. It has been a pleasure to work and learn with the choir and if I could do it again, I would jump at it. Thanks so much!'
Luke Stevenson
'Interning for Melbourne Singers of Gospel was a truly joyous appointment. It is rare as a student to have opportunities that both educate and enthrall and this intern role provided both with a dizzying amount of fun thrown in. In my capacity as Tenor intern I was able to work with the choir, both at an individual level with the tenor singers supporting the section leader, and with the whole choir with directing and section rehearsal opportunities. Melbourne Singers of Gospel run by Dr Darren Wicks are such a warm and supportive community, and their level of musicianship and singing, especially for an un-auditioned community choir continues to delight and surprise me. I encourage anyone who loves vocal harmonies and wants to be challenged musically and given great opportunities to grow as a musician and conductor to sign up to the intern program – It was my pleasure to intern for them and I recommend it to any student of music.'
Raphael Wong
'The Melbourne Singers of Gospel Internship Program has had a significant influence on my development as a choral and ensemble conductor, a teacher, a performer and overall as a musician. Being given the opportunity to lead a large community choir where the musicianship and performance experience ranges from very little to well-trained allows for an experience like no other.The program had me working closely with small tutorial groups, teaching the aural and theoretical fundamentals of music, as well as conducting and/or supporting larger scale performances such as Moomba and choral festivals. The biggest reason I enjoyed my experience with MSG comes down to the simple fact that it never felt like 'work'. The overwhelming support from Music Director, Dr Darren Wicks, the tireless committee and the enthusiasm of the choir members made for a safe space to grow and further develop my craft. For that I am most grateful.
Since leaving the program, I teach voice on a regular basis, and I've assistant directed as well as music directed a number of musical theatre shows, most recently Little Women: The Musical (OXAGEN Productions). My primary focus is to pursue a career in musical theatre and opera, having spent much of 2014 performing in New York with the Manhattan Opera Studio, and touring with Australian Classical Opera, performing in Carmen and La Traviata throughout China.'
More of our past graduates:
- Dr Ben Leske
- Elisha Maiyah
- Teneha Greco
- Daniel O'Keefe
- Stephen Coutts
- Eloise Whitehead
- Sophie Moore
- Bayne Bradshaw
