Sydney Philharmonia Choirs is thrilled to announce the appointment of Matthew Beale as Executive Director, charged with advancing the Choirs’ position as one of Australia’s leading arts organisations.
A seasoned arts professional with over 30 years’ experience working in choral music organisations, Beale joins Sydney Philharmonia Choirs from the UK, where – for the past nine years – he has worked alongside renowned Choral Director Suzi Digby OBE as Chief Executive of the critically acclaimed ORA Singers.
Under Beale’s strategic leadership this newly formed professional choral company swiftly rose to prominence, earning numerous industry awards – including the Opus Klassik for best ensemble, Germany’s highest music prize – within its first five years; initiating ground-breaking new collaborations, commissioning over 60 new choral works and recording 10 critically acclaimed albums, which in turn achieved global radio play.
With a passionate belief in the transformative power of singing and a strong commitment to fostering new and under-supported talent, he introduced the ORA Singers’ Young Composers’ Scheme, aimed at underprivileged state school students; and the Graduate Showcase, providing opportunities for composers in the early stage of their professional careers. Beale is also a former professional operatic tenor, having performed roles at Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Glyndebourne, Berlin’s Staatsoper and Venice’s Teatro La Fenice.
Beale will work alongside Sydney Philharmonia Choirs esteemed Artistic & Music Director, Brett Weymark OAM and Associate Music Director Elizabeth Scott, to build on the organisation’s longstanding history of excellence, and cement its national and global reputation.
“We are delighted to appoint such an influential and highly respected figure within the global choral music sector. Matthew’s sound management and leadership background, along with his exemplary understanding of global best practice in arts management, are just what is needed to oversee the organisation’s next phase of growth and extended national profile.”
– Elizabeth Metanios, Chair