The 2026 Let’s Find Our Voice Choir. Photo: Cassandra Briggs.
The spirit of community and companionship came alive last week at FCJ College’s Marie Madeleine Centre.
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Students, staff and community members gathered for the 2026 Let’s Find Our Voice concert, a joyful culmination of weeks of rehearsals, storytelling and the building of intergenerational friendships through music.
Community Choir members at FCJ College's Let's Find our Voice concert. Photo: Cassandra Briggs.
The Let’s Find Our Voice program brings together Year 7 students and local community members to form a combined choir that is as much about connection and belonging as it is about performance.
This year also saw the exciting inclusion of students from FCJ’s partner primary schools; St John’s Primary School Euroa, St Mary’s Primary School Mansfield and St Joseph’s Primary School Benalla.
Hosted by FCJ arts captains Jayhe Lee Quattrocchi and Danni Kearney, the evening opened with a heartfelt acknowledgment of country, followed by a warm welcome from Principal Joseph Mount
He reflected on the powerful connections being formed through music and shared experience.
Solo pianist Isabelle Zhu performs Summer. Photo: Cassandra Briggs.
The evening featured a rich and moving program, including standout performances from the choir, alongside powerful solo items by Emily Snell, Kieran Smith and Hailey Turla.
A particularly moving segment of the night featured students presenting memoirs and readings, offering a heartfelt tribute to Deb Saunders and Beryl Scott, both members of the choir, who generously shared their life stories.
The FCJ College Year 7 choir. Photo: Cassandra Briggs.
These moments highlighted the deeper purpose of the program, creating space for storytelling, reflection and authentic human connection across generations.
The concert also featured the premiere of a short film documenting the journey to the performance, including choir rehearsals and interviews with participants and staff such as Catherine Burton, Joseph Mount and Adam Toms.
Soloist Shaun Jones sings We are the Champions. Photo: Cassandra Briggs.
Adding to the richness of the evening was the support of FCJ College’s wider musical community.
Soloist Emily Snell sings The Climb. Photo: Cassandra Briggs.
Current and past students performed alongside staff in the concert band, while the Tuesday Singers, a lunchtime group of students who come together each week to sing and share their love of music, brought their energy, warmth and enthusiasm to the stage.
Community Choir members Jan Kennedy, Pauline Briggs and Glenys McDonald perform Bye Bye Love. Photo: Cassandra Briggs.
To close the evening, the full choir and band delivered a high-energy finale with a medley of Queen classics.
The audience clapped, danced and sang along, filling the room with an electric and celebratory atmosphere.
Soloist Hailey Turla sings Go the Distance. Photo: Cassandra Briggs.
Mr Mount said he would like to acknowledge the shared leadership of Catherine Burton and Adam Toms.
Cooper Kidgell, Monty Sketcher, Olivia Anderson, Rachel Erickson, Lavinia Kinderis and Shaely Baldo. Photo: Cassandra Briggs.
“Their ability to create a safe, comfortable space where all are encouraged to explore the power of music as a vehicle to unite people is inspiring. It is what education is all about,” he said.
“The Let’s Find Our Voice concert once again affirmed FCJ College’s commitment to creativity, belonging and community wellbeing, and remains one of the most anticipated and meaningful events on the FCJ College calendar.”
The finale of the Let's Find our Voice concert was a Queen medley. Photo: Cassandra Briggs.
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