This non-auditioned ensemble allows children to find their voice, learn musical concepts through games and fun activities, and experience the joy of singing and performing in a choir. Children who progress through this program are encouraged to audition for the WAYV senior ensembles in the future.
To ensure that choristers receive the most developmentally appropriate experience, two musicianship and ensemble streams are currently offered. Further information about the program and an online registration form are provided below.
Smalley Choir operates two performance seasons during each school year.
2025 Season Dates
| Season | School Term | Smalley Season Start Date | End of Season Concert |
| 1 | 1 & 2 | Saturday 8 February 2025 | Sunday 29 June 2025 |
| 2 | 3 & 4 | Saturday 19 July 2025 | Sunday 30 November 2025 (TBC) |
Please note:
New choristers are welcome to join Smalley at the start of each season. WAYV offers new choristers the opportunity to try Smalley for two rehearsals within the first three weeks of the season. This gives an opportunity for prospective choristers (and their parents or carers) to ‘try-out’ Smalley before committing to the whole season. After this time, the expectation is that choristers will be attend all rehearsals and perform as part of the end of season concert.
Rehearsal Structure
| 1.00pm | Junior Musicianship & Ensemble OR Senior Musicianship & Ensemble |
| 1.40pm | Break |
| 1.50pm | ‘All-in’ Choir (combined groups) |
| 2.30pm | Rehearsal close |
Junior Musicianship and Ensemble
Led by Melissa Mason
Target age: Approximately 7-8 years (school grade year 2-3), no audition required
The Junior Musicianship and Ensemble stream is designed for early to middle primary-aged children, to develop fundamental singing and music skills through a fun and holistic approach to musicianship. Musicianship sessions are highly experiential, where children are engaged aurally, visually and kinaesthetically through singing games, movement, notation reading and listening, to develop the skills of aural perception, sight-singing from notation and vocal technique.
In the Junior Ensemble session, choristers will enjoy and learn to sing developmentally appropriate repertoire as a chamber ensemble, before combining with the Senior Ensemble stream for “All-in” Choir.
Senior Musicianship and Ensemble
Led by Jason Boron
Target age: Approximately 9+ years (school grade year 4+), no audition required
The Senior Musicianship and Ensemble stream is designed for older primary school-aged children to develop their singing and music skills in a supportive, encouraging and inclusive environment. While maintaining focus on developing new musical skills and learning to sing in an ensemble, this stream tailors the delivery of new musical concepts and learning for this unique age group, in a fun and interactive way. Senior Musicianship choristers are provided with leadership opportunities in the mentoring of their Junior stream colleagues, particularly during the ‘All-in’ Choir session.
Rehearsal Venue: Trinity College (East Perth)
Smalley Artistic and Management Team
Jason Boron – Conductor
BMusEd (Hons) W.Aust., GradCertMus Qld., DipKodályMusEd Liszt., MA (Hons) Liszt.
Jason Boron is a Lecturer in Music Education at Edith Cowan University (ECU) where he oversees the music specialisation for primary pre-service educators. He is an experienced music educator having taught in early childhood, primary, secondary and tertiary settings. Jason is currently President of Kodály Australia and Vice Chairperson of the Australian Society for Music Education (ASME) Western Australian Chapter. Jason is a past recipient of the Sárolta Kodály Scholarship awarded by the International Kodály Society and was in 2020 awarded the ECU Vice Chancellor’s Staff Excellence Award for Innovative Teaching. Jason is proud to work with Melissa Foss in leading Smalley for WAYV..
Melissa Mason – Conductor
MTeach (Primary) – Music Specialisation
Melissa Mason is a Primary Music Specialist Teacher at the newly built Dayton Primary School in Dayton (West Swan). She currently teaches Kindy through to Year 6 Music and is working on establishing ensembles and instrumental programs as the school grows. When not at school, Melissa teaches piano, sings in Naya Chorale and serves as Secretary of the Kodály Music Education Institute of Australia (WA Branch). Melissa has done certification courses in the Kodály, Orff and Feierabend approaches to teaching music, and is passionate about providing and advocating for high-quality, best-practice music education for all children.
Liz Dagostino – Rehearsal Manager
BEd (Primary) – Music Specialisation
Liz Dagostino is a recent graduate of Edith Cowan University, holding a Bachelor of Education with a specialisation in music. Currently working as a relief teacher across multiple schools, Liz is passionate about fostering growth and confidence in young learners. With a lifelong love of music and a background in percussion, she is eager to bring her energy and commitment to the role of rehearsal manager, supporting young musicians in their choral journey.
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SMALLEY ONLINE REGISTRATION FORM
Contact Us about Smalley
Get in touch using the contact form below or send us an email with any queries or questions.
Named after Anglo-Australian composer, pianist and conductor, Emeritus Professor Roger Smalley, AM (1943 – 2015), our beginner ensemble Smalley honours the significant musical and academic contributions made by Professor Smalley to the Western Australian musical landscape.
Born near Manchester, England, in 1943 and emigrated to Australia in the mid 1970s, Smalley’s compositions, commissioned by prestigious organisations and groups – from the BBC and London Sinfonietta to the ABC and Australian Chamber Orchestra – have been performed and broadcast world-wide. His compositions and performances have been released on numerous CDs, and he has won awards both as composer and pianist: his own performance of his Piano Concerto was the recommended work in the UNESCO Composers’ Rostrum in 1987.
Roger Smalley’s career as an academic was closely tied to his activities as a composer and performer: his move from the UK to Australia was the result of a short composer residency at the University of Western Australia. A significant academic career at the University of Western Australia included a research fellowship and subsequently Associate Professor of Music. In 1996, Smalley was appointed a professorial Research Fellow at the UWA. He was Emeritus Professor and Honorary Senior Research Fellow at The University of Western Australia and Honorary Research Associate at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.
Roger Smalley moved to Sydney in 2007. He passed away in Sydney on 18 August 2015.
Biography kindly provided by Professor Smalley’s website.
