About Us
Founded in 2019, Newcastle Chamber Choir is a high-performing, auditioned chamber choir based in Newcastle, NSW.
Excellence in choral music-making is at the forefront of our endeavours. We aspire to raise and promote the global standard of Australian choral music. We emphasise championing Australian choral works and are also known for our eclectic repertoire, regularly featuring international, contemporary, renaissance-multichoir and pop music.
Rehearsals are weekly on Tuesday evenings and new members are always welcome to contact us for more information.
Message us on Facebook or email info@newcastlechamberchoir.com
Conductor & Artistic Director
Benjamin Lambert
BMus -Violin (Distinction, Faculty Commendation), enjoys an active life as a conductor, orchestrator and performer.
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•Won two gold medals at the 13th World Choir Games in Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand (Mixed Chamber Choir and Contemporary Vocal Ensemble)
•Won two gold medals at the 12th World Choir Games in Gangneung, South Korea 2023 (Mixed Chamber Choir and Contemporary Vocal Ensemble)
• Winners of the 2023, 2022, 2021 & 2019 Sydney Eisteddfod Open Choral Championship
• Led a tour to Tasmania for the Festival of Voices 2021. Performed a private concert at Government House, hosted by her Excellency the Honorable Governor Barbara Baker in her first official occasion in office. Held concerts at Hobart Town Hall, Federation Concert Hall, MONA, St David’s Cathedral and Port Arthur
• Defending champions of the Australian National Eisteddfod Open Choral Challenge (2019, 2021, 2022).
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• Conducted Mass in St Mary's Cathedral (Sydney)
• Performed with Guy Sebastian (Conscious Tour)
• Conducted the Pacific Boys Choir (Double Grammy winning)
• Conducted the Tallis Scholars
• Orchestrated and conducted the score for Daniel Johns’ What If The Future Never Happened? (short film)
• Recorded an album with Daniel Johns (FutureNever)
• Performed with The Idea of North
• Conducted at Lincoln Centre for the Performing Arts
• Conducted inside the Forbidden City (China)
• Conducted on the deck of aircraft carrier USS INTREPID (NYC)
• Conducted at The Great Wall of China
• Recorded a CD of Ruth McCall’s (of The Song Company) works
• Led ‘Main Street’ parades in Disneyland (California) and DisneyWorld (Florida)
• Conducted The Canadian Ambassador Choir
• Conducted at The Washington Monument, privately meeting and performing for President Obama’s ‘President’s Own’ Band of Directors and Conductors
• Conducted at Sydney Anzac Day Parade (leading the parade)
• Conducted at Sydney Football Stadium (West Tigers vs St George Dragons, 35000+ in attendance)
• Competed in the XVIII International Choral Kathaumixw (Canada) - 1st place in Adult Equal Voice Choir
• Won the National Canberra Eisteddfods (2018) conducting Echology (UoN Chamber Choir).
• Conducted at The Royal Easter Show Sydney
• Composer for Messiah Re-Imagined (Angel Place Sydney)
• Conducted on international tours to New Zealand, South Korea, North America, Bermuda, England, Italy, Switzerland, China and Canada
• Benjamin’s choral compositions and arrangements have won international and national competitions (World Choir Games 2023, XVIII International Choral Kathaumixw, Australian National Eisteddfod).
Choir President - Anna Ryan
Executive Committee
Saiya Deehan, Vice President
Gabrielle Newland, Secretary
Rachel Legge, Treasurer
Choir Members
SOPRANO 1
Fiona McKay †
Rachel Legge
Madeleine Searl
SOPRANO 2
Gabrielle Newland
Keira Shaw
Saiya Deehan
ALTO 1
Jen McPherson †
Anna Ryan
Heather Burnett
Madeline Newland
ALTO 2
Julie Fawcett
Madhura Killedar
Ruth Morris
Caroline Traill
TENOR 1
David Tomkins †
Phillippa Miskiewicz
Raphael Teixeira
Bryn McGowan
TENOR 2
Colin Dyce
Stewart McGowan
BARITONE
Jacob Woodruff
Niall McKay
Gareth Lewis
Francesco Bertoni
BASS
Steve Kentish
Samuel Donovan
Aidan Bailey-Coles
Nick Watson
Dylan Ratcliffe †
† Section Leader