This Years Season

This powerful verse urges us to transform every action into an opportunity to honor our Creator, embedding divine purpose into our daily lives.

For us at Australian Christian Arts, every note we sing, every chord we play, and every rehearsal transcends performance to become a profound act of worship, fueled by hearts fixed on His glory. As St. John Chrysostom wisely observed, "Nothing so uplifts the soul, gives it wings, sets it free from the earth… as the melodies of sacred song and psalm." We wholeheartedly embrace his conviction, setting the stage for an truly extraordinary year ahead.

Our Mission: Musical Excellence

Milestone Achievement

Our First Concert Hall

We are absolutely thrilled to announce that we are in the final stages of confirming the magnificent Chatswood Concourse Concert Hall for our upcoming Easter concert on Saturday, 29 March! This is not just a monumental step for our organization, but a truly exciting milestone. Securing this premier venue, renowned for its exceptional acoustics and professional setting, rather than a traditional church venue, significantly elevates our standing, underscoring our growth and enhancing our credibility as we continue our journey towards artistic excellence. This sophisticated environment promises an unforgettable experience for every attendee, allowing our music to truly soar and resonate with unparalleled clarity and impact.

Grand Capacity

A spectacular hall boasting 1,000 seats, ready to welcome all our cherished audience members.

Exceptional Acoustics

Celebrated for its pristine sound quality, ensuring every note resonates with breathtaking clarity.

Professional Setting

A distinguished venue that significantly elevates our performances and artistic presentation.

A Balanced Musical Journey

Our commitment to balancing classical repertoire with contemporary works is central to our mission of musical excellence, ensuring a rich and engaging experience for both performers and audience. We will always include a classical work in every concert to honor the great tradition and develop our skills, while contemporary pieces push our boundaries. This thoughtful balance keeps us engaged, growing, and deeply connected to both musical heritage and modern expression, truly embodying our pursuit of excellence.

This year's repertoire is a testament to that commitment, carefully selected to challenge and inspire.

Easter Concert

Featuring two works by Ralph Vaughan Williams:

• "Oh Taste and See" for acapella choir
• The first movement of his "Five Mystical Songs"—a substantial piece for orchestra, choir, and baritone soloist

What makes this especially exciting is that Natalia Raspopova, our Music Supervisor and former Assistant Conductor of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, will be conducting a classical piece with our full orchestra and choir at Easter—this is professional-level classical performance.

Mid-Year Concert (August)

We're still finalizing our selections for the mid-year concert, but some works currently under consideration include:

• Ēriks Ešenvalds
• Claude Debussy's Nocturnes
• Anton Bruckner's Psalm 150
• Arvo Pärt's The Beatitudes

These are challenging, beautiful works that will stretch us as musicians.

Through these performances, we embark on a profound spiritual and artistic journey together, enriching ourselves and our community.

Meet Natalia Raspopova

We are thrilled to announce that Natalia Raspopova has joined us as our Music Supervisor for 2026. Natalia is a Russian-Australian conductor whose accolades speak for themselves.

Natalia will mentor our conductors and musicians, and conduct a classical piece with our orchestra and choir for the Easter concert as well as leading our Youth Orchestra launching in May. This is not to be missed—she is a true professional. Learn more about Natalia at her website or view her La Maestra profile

What's New for 2026

We're introducing several exciting changes designed to enhance your experience and elevate our collective pursuit of excellence.

Reserved Seating

There will be a seat with your name on it—literally—for every rehearsal this year. This provides all of us a sense of belonging and accountability, creating a true community of committed artists.

New Rehearsal Times

We will now be kicking off rehearsal at 7:15pm, with a 7:00pm arrival time. Rehearsals will finish at 9:15pm, giving us focused, productive time together to create something beautiful.

Enhanced Rehearsal Etiquette

We want our rehearsals to be productive, getting into the depths of the music we are creating, enhancing and developing its beauty. Our new schedule values the time everyone is putting in to serve the vision.

2026 Rehearsal Schedule

Here is the complete rehearsal schedule for 2026, covering all three major concerts. All rehearsals are at Scots Church unless otherwise noted. Mark your calendars!

Easter Worship Night (March 2026)

• Thursday, 5 February — Reading Session + Separate Rehearsals (6:45pm–9:00pm) Please confirm your attendance
• Thursday, 19 February — Separate Rehearsals (6:45pm–9:00pm)
• Thursday, 26 February — AGM Meeting (in person & online) (6:45pm–9:00pm)
• Thursday, 5 March — Orchestra + Choir (Piano Call) (6:45pm–9:00pm)
• Thursday, 19 March — Combined Rehearsal (6:45pm–9:15pm)
• Thursday, 26 March — Tech Rehearsal (call time 6:30pm, 6:45pm–9:30pm)
• Saturday, 28 March — Easter Show (call time ~1:45pm band, ~2:30pm orchestra & choir)

Mid-Year Concert (August 2026)

• Thursday, 7 May — Reading Session (7:15pm–9:15pm)
• Thursday, 21 May — Separate Rehearsals (strings sectional for orchestra)
• Thursday, 4 June — Separate Rehearsals (7:15pm–9:15pm)
• Thursday, 18 June — Separate Rehearsals (winds & brass sectional for orchestra)
• Thursday, 2 July — Separate Rehearsals (7:15pm–9:15pm)
• Thursday, 16 July — Piano Call (7:15pm–9:15pm)
• Thursday, 23 July — Combined Rehearsal (7:15pm–9:15pm)
• Thursday, 30 July — Tech Run (7:30pm–9:45pm)
• Saturday, 1 August — Mid-Year Concert (call time ~4:30pm)

End-of-Year Concert (November 2026)

• Thursday, 3 September — Reading Session (7:15pm–9:15pm)
• Thursday, 17 September — Separate Rehearsals (strings sectional for orchestra)
• Thursday, 1 October — Separate Rehearsals (7:15pm–9:15pm)
• Thursday, 15 October — Separate Rehearsals (winds & brass sectional for orchestra)
• Thursday, 29 October — Rehearsal (Choir & orchestra)
• Thursday, 5 November — Rehearsal
• Thursday, 12 November — General Rehearsal (Choir & orchestra)
• Thursday, 19 November — Tech Run (7:30pm–9:45pm)
• Saturday, 21 November — End-of-Year Concert (call time ~4:30pm)

Spiritual Leadership Team

We are establishing a Spiritual Leadership Team, with a member present at every rehearsal to inspire us from a variety of denominations. This team will advise our board on evangelism at our concerts and provide chaplain-like figures for members.

We are choosing pastors from various denominations across Sydney and are currently seeking a Catholic or Orthodox member to join—we welcome your suggestions.

“Nothing so uplifts the soul, gives it wings, sets it free from the earth… as the melodies of sacred song and psalm.” — St. John Chrysostom

Dr Brent Keogh

Our first rehearsal will be kicked off by Dr Brent Keogh, a professor of music at UNSW with a rich background in theological and philosophical study. We look forward to hearing from Dr Brent on the amazing connection between faith and art for the first ten minutes, followed by uninterrupted, focused rehearsal time.

Sydney Opera House 2027

The Sydney Opera House in 2027 – this is more than a booking; it's the realization of a profound dream, a testament to years of dedication, and the ultimate stage for our collective aspiration. Performing in this iconic venue will not only mark the culmination of our commitment to excellence but also solidify our vision to become one of Australia's most inspiring orchestras and choirs.

This extraordinary goal isn't just for us; it's for everyone who believes in the power of music to uplift, connect, and transform. We invite you to be an integral part of this historic journey – to lend your voice, your support, and your spirit as we pursue artistic excellence that glorifies God and inspires our community. Every rehearsal, every note, every moment of dedication brings us closer to this monumental achievement.

"To perform on this hallowed stage is to touch the very soul of Australian arts."

Membership and Next Steps

If you have any questions concerning your current membership, please reach out to our Member Liaison *Yvonne Jones* at [email protected]

Thank you for being a vital part of our mission. Together, we are not just making music; we are creating a legacy that inspires and uplifts, moving ever closer to our dream of the *Sydney Opera House* in *2027*. Your dedication makes all the difference!

See You on the 5th of February

This is more than just another season—it's a defining moment for Australian Christian Arts. Together, we're building something extraordinary: an orchestra and choir that honors God through excellence, inspires our community through beauty, and stands among Australia's finest.

Your voice, your instrument, your dedication—they all matter. Every rehearsal is a step toward the Sydney Opera House. Every note is an act of worship.

Confirm your attendance today. Be part of the journey.

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." — 1 Corinthians 10:31