Our Choir
Rehearsal Address
7 Matthews Street, Harristown, QLD, 4350
We rehearse at our complex, 7 Matthews Street.The site has a number of rooms, 2 main performance rooms, smaller class rooms and offices. During the day the complex is used by U3A Toowoomba & in the evening, High Altitude Harmony & Philo rehearsals.
The Main choir rehearse in the concert hall, doors open from about 6:45pm
Rehearsal Nights
Main Choir
Wednesdays – 7:00pm, we usually finish at 9pm, on nights we have a supper break we might finish at 9:15pm
Adhoc nights
If additional nights are required, (ie in the last couple weeks leading up to big performance) we will do an additional Monday or Thursday night. These will be talked about in advance.
Membership Fees
Philo charges a yearly membership (with partial year options).
These membership are due after the third rehearsal (if not paid up front), we are happy for you to try before you buy.
The membership entitles all 18+yr olds voting rights for the society (so you can have your say in the direction we go). It also covers all registered members in our insurance.
Main Choir
Yearly $100
Half Year $50
Membership for specific shows is advertised at the time of rehearsal. For instance Grant Us Peace in 2024 will have a $40-$50 show participant fees.
Our Events
Philo hosts a couple of social events each year. Firstly a Welcome BBQ at the start of the year. This is a free event but we do have a gold coin donation for drinks. This normally occurs in the last week of January, the first rehearsal will then start the following week. We also hold a Xmas breakup BBQ, with the same format, but choir will also bring a plate to share, this is normally in the first or second week of December.
During the year we hold a trivia night as a fundraiser, some times a scavenger hunt or a sing a long night. We also organise an occasional group outing to other local shows (Such as After 5, Choral or Municipal Band) through out the year.
Philharmonic Choir
The Philharmonic Choir (Philo choir, Main Choir) is made of ages 16 up. Currently the choir has ages 18 to 86. No music knowledge needed or choral experience. The main choir rehearses from 7-9pm on Wednesday nights.
We perform approximately 3 concerts a year, plus we will usually participate in the Toowoomba eisteddfod, sing as part of the carnival concert at St Lukes during the Carnival of Flowers and perform Christmas carols in December.
The Philo main choir is conducted by Calista Walters. Calista completed a Bachelor of Music at UNSW in 2006 and continued her studies at the University of Southern Queensland, graduating with Honours in 2008, in addition to achieving her Associate Diploma of Music in 2004. Calista has performed in many Eisteddfods and has won and been a finalist in several Aria Competitions. She has been broadcast on several radio stations and performed in several productions including the role of “Sylviane” in The Merry Widow (Opera Queensland) and performances with Too Many Sopranos and Brisbane Baroque Players. She has been the Artistic Director and conductor of the After5 Choir since 2011 and has recently taken on this role with Toowoomba Philharmonic Society.
Calista manages a successful music studio in Toowoomba and enjoys teaching, conducting and composing
Our Répétiteur
The Philharmonic Society is proud to have Andrew Doecke at the keys, an accomplished pianist & organist and expert musician.
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From 1985 - 2004 Andrew has held roles such as Director of Music and Head of Performing Arts at private schools in Toowoomba. He has held the positions of Conductor, Official Accompanist, and President for the Toowoomba Philharmonic Society. For several years he has served as Conductor and or Accompanied for Ars Cantorum. Andrew has also been apart of other groups such as After5 as Conductor and Accompanist, Conductor and Accompanist for the St James Anglican choir, organist at both St James Anglican and St Pauls Lutheran Church.