The Austrian Choir Canberra is a SATB choir and was formed in 1981 shortly after the Austrian Australian Club Inc. in Mawson, opened its doors. This highly respected Choir is a major force in the promotion of Austrian culture and music in Canberra and the wider community in Australia. It has an extensive repertoire of Austrian, German, English and International songs, ranging from serious compositions and traditional music to the more modern ‘Heimatlieder’ and other folk music, ballads and the unforgettable Viennese waltzes. The Choir gains immense pleasure in providing its audiences with enjoyment and, at times, some nostalgia.

The Choirs’ main objective is to have fun and enjoy the musical experience while at the same time achieving a high level of excellence in its performances. The Choir is fortunate to have a number of talented singers and musicians, which enables it to present solos, duets, quartets and instrumental pieces. Many of our singers do not speak German nor read music, but this is never an issue as we assist with pronunciation and provide MP3 audio files and translations of songs.

The Choir performs three major public concerts each year at the German Harmonie Club in Narrabundah in Canberra and also performs for the Wesley Music Centre Lunchtime Concert Series, the High Court, Canberra Floriade and sings regularly at Retirement Villages and Nursing Homes. It also participates in joint choral events with sister choirs in Sydney every couple of years and is invited every year to celebrate the Austrian National Day at the Austrian Embassy and for other event and causes from time to time.

The Choir is a member of ANCA (the Australian National Choral Association).

Under the name ‘Austrian Australian Choir’ the Choir toured Austria and the Czech Republic in 2007 with standing ovations at each concert and was followed by a very successful ‘encore’ tour to Germany and Austria in 2010. Another tour followed in 2013 where the Choir sang in St Peter’s Basilica and St Ignatius in Rome and presented concerts in Zurich, Salzburg and Vienna.

If you love to sing, please feel free to call in and listen to our rehearsals, which are held on Wednesday evenings from 7.15 to 9pm at the Harmonie German Club, 49 Jerrabomberra Avenue, Narrabundah. Alternatively, ring any one of the Committee members for more information. We do not require you to audition just have a genuine desire to sing and join this wonderful musical family.

As of January 1, 2024 we will be known as the Austrian Harmonie Choir. Our move to the Harmonie German Club in January 2022 is permanent, so it is now only fitting to incorporates something of the Club’s name into our title.