Under the leadership of Artistic Director and Conductor Emeritus Jonathan Grieves-Smith, Melbourne Chorale has established an enviable reputation for the inspiring standards of its singers and the breadth of its artistic vision. Melbourne Chorale enjoys a thriving relationship with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and sings regularly with the world’s finest conductors, including Oleg Caetani, Zubin Mehta, Markus Stenz, Carlo Rizzi, Bruno Weil, Nicholas McGegan, Yan Pascal Tortelier, Edo de Waart, Sir Charles Mackerras, Hiroyuki Iwaki and Mark Wigglesworth. Recent highlights include Mahler Symphony No. 8, Kancheli Styx, Beethoven Symphony No. 9, Walton Belshazzar’s Feast, Brahms A German Requiem and Schnittke Choral Concerto. Melbourne Chorale is committed to developing Australian and international choral repertoire. Recent commissions include Brett Dean Katz und Spatz (co-commission with the Swedish Radio Choir), Richard Mills Tota Pulchra Es, Ross Edwards Mountain Chant (co-commission with Cantillation) and Christopher Willcock (Melbourne Chorale’s Composer in Residence 2004) Miserere and Etiquette with Angels. Recent Australian premieres include works by James MacMillan, Arvo Part, Hans Werner Henze and Alfred Schnittke.

Guest engagements include appearances with The Australian Ballet, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, West Australian Symphony Orchestra, Barbra Streisand, Andrea Bocelli and John Farnham and performances at the Melbourne International Arts Festival, Sydney Olympic Arts Festival, Castlemaine Festival, the Fremantle Festival and for the Macedon and Peninsula Music Societys. In 2002 Melbourne Chorale Ensemble undertook a highly successful tour of Brazil including two concerts at the Cultura Inglesa Festival in Sao Paulo. Melbourne Chorale leads two projects which develop the talents of young Australian conductors – the Mentored Conductor Program and the Upbeat! National Choral Development Initiative in conjunction with Sydney Philharmonia Choirs and the Australia Council. Each year Melbourne Chorale hosts the annual community Singing in the City at the Arts House, North Melbourne Town Hall.