Excelsis is one of Melbourne’s most exciting and dynamic choirs, singing predominantly for Catholic liturgical events and also giving regular concert performances. In recent years, highlights for the choir have included performing to capacity audiences at St Patrick’s Cathedral, St Paul’s Cathedral, the Melbourne Recital Centre and Deakin Edge (Federation Square). Excelsis has also given two concert tours of the Philippines, in 2015 and 2019. The choir sings an extremely varied repertoire of both secular and sacred music, incorporating classical European works, hymnody, contemporary music, traditional African pieces, spirituals, gospel songs and Broadway favourites. Excelsis takes its name from the Latin word, meaning ‘highest’. Through the music which it sings, the choir aims to achieve the highest musical and performance goals.
Excelsis is a traditional four-part mixed choir (Soprano/Alto/Tenor/Bass). Choristers range from the very young, to the very young at heart, and all singers share a love of inspiring people and entertaining them through the gift of music. A great deal of the repertoire which Excelsis sings is unique within the Catholic experience, and offers both the singers of Excelsis, and their audiences, the opportunity to continually explore and discover the vast body of choral music which exists today.
Excelsis does not sing for a single parish, instead maintaining a monthly rotation of parishes in which it sings the Sunday Mass. For details of where Excelsis is singing each week, please see the Masses page on this site.
Excelsis is a very friendly and inclusive community choir that always welcomes new choristers. If you are interested in joining, please do not hesitate to contact us – we would be very pleased to welcome you to one of our rehearsals!