As the Newington College Choir prepares for its part in one of the College’s pinnacle musical performances, Founders Concert on Thursday this week, Year 12 student and Head Chorister Michael K reflects on a decade spent singing at Newington. 

Having first ventured into the choir at Newington when he was in Year 3 at Wyvern House K–6, Michael says he has loved being a part of it ever since.  

‘For me, the best thing about choir is that it allows more people to get involved with music,’ he explains.  

‘Choir doesn’t have the prerequisite of knowing how to play a musical instrument, it just requires a love of singing, a bit of discipline to practice, and being in tune with the ensemble around you. It’s an ensemble that I’d say most students could join and enjoy.’ 

Comprising 69 students from the Stanmore Senior campus, the Newington College Choir meets in the College Chapel every Tuesday and Thursday morning before school to rehearse. There are also occasions like Founders Concert where Wyvern and Lindfield choristers, from our Prep schools, join the senior students to form a combined Newington Choir. 

‘Apart from those two morning rehearsals before school, all choir really requires is a few minutes every few days of listening to the pieces we are singing, familiarising yourself with your part and the tune,’ says Michael. 

‘I sometimes listen to our pieces while taking breaks from studying, drilling my part into my head while relaxing. I find listening to familiar pieces is a good way to maintain focus without becoming stressed.’ 

As Head Chorister who sings bass, Michael’s duties include directing rehearsal warm-ups, distributing sheet music and ensuring all chorists are ready for each rehearsal.  

‘I also try to be a personable role model to encourage interaction across year groups. Choir is at its best when students from each year group are working together to produce great music, and part of my job is helping to make sure we achieve that,’ he says. 

The College choir supports chapel services and performs at the Annual Prize Giving, as well as lending their voices to the much-anticipated annual Founders Concert, held on Thursday 7 August in Centenary Hall. 

Founders Concert, an event which epitomises the musical talent on offer at Newington, was inspired by ‘Founders Day’, a commemoration of the opening of the College on 16 July 1863. The concert was first held on this date in 1971, at the suggestion of former College Chaplain, Rev Dr Peter Swain. 
  
Initially a commemoration service, over time, musical items performed by school ensembles began to be included in the program. In 1978, a concert was held in association with Founders Day. It was dubbed the Founders Day Concert and later shortened to Founders Concert.  

Since 1982 the three main venues for Founders have been the College’s own Centenary Hall, Sydney Town Hall and the Sydney Opera House.  
  
Always performed in Term 3 to mark our foundation anniversary, Founders brings together musicians and ensembles from across the campuses in a celebration of the College’s music program. Every year the music is linked to a particular theme. This year’s theme is Colour and Founders will showcase a repertoire across a number of styles, including a combined choir and symphony orchestral performance of ‘The Depiction of Chaos’ from The Creation by Franz Joseph Haydn. 

Other musical items will showcase some of Newington’s 40 ensembles including chamber, percussion, chamber strings, the combined Prep Choir, stage band, symphonic winds and symphony orchestra. 

‘I am most looking forward to the variety of music we’ll be hearing on the night,’ says Michael.  

‘Having performed in Founders Concerts for 10 years this year, it’s always amazing to hear the music other ensembles make. There is always such range and skill in the Newington music program, and to see a snapshot of all that in just one night is amazing.’ 

Head of Music, Mr Mark Scott, concurs.  

‘Music can allow us to transcend beyond the everyday to gain perspective and enjoy the full range of emotions and experiences that life throws at us,’ he says. 

‘It shows its full powers when it is given an opportunity to make someone smile, be moved on a spiritual level, remember or be amazed. We look forward to such an opportunity on Thursday.’ 

The 2025 Founders Concert will be held on Thursday 7 August at 6.30pm in Centenary Hall – admission is free and all members of our Newington community are invited to attend. 

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For more information about the music program at Newington, you can read our blog post ‘Newington Music a key note of creativity’.  

If you are a member of the Newington community, you can find out more about our various musical ensembles on New Spaces.