Preludes performing at the “Songs of Stage and Screen” Concert in 2019. Photo: Simon Masters

The Prelude Choir offers young people who love to sing, a unique opportunity to learn a wide range of music and learn about healthy vocal technique. Specifically, the choir offers Kodály-based singing and musicianship for a well-rounded music education that is fun and engaging. This training component follows a development curriculum, pioneered by the great Hungarian music educator Zoltan Kodály (1882-1967) and is proven to advance students’ musical learning through authentic musical experiences.

Typically, Prelude choristers range from Year 2 to upper primary level and graduate to the Cantore Choir after a certain level of musicianship has been demonstrated, where they progress to more advanced musicianship training.

In previous years, the Prelude Choir has performed at the Junior Kodály Choral Festival in Melbourne, local fetes and fundraisers, Music in the Botanic Gardens, Carols by Candlelight and with the Geelong Philharmonic.

There are no auditions to enter the Prelude Choir.

Janelle Kratzmann (Prelude Choir)
M.M.Ed., B.Mus (Hons)., B.A., B.Ed., AMusA

Janelle conducting the Prelude choir at the ” Songs of Stage and Screen” concert in 2019. Photo: Simon Masters

Janelle Kratzmann is a graduate of the University of Queensland, where she completed a Bachelor of Music Degree with Honours (violin performance), Bachelor of Arts Degree (double major in German Studies) and Bachelor of Education Degree. She has since obtained her Master of Music Education from Monash University. Janelle began her teaching career in Brisbane high schools before moving to Geelong in 2004 where she has taught at Geelong Grammar, St. John’s Lutheran School and Geelong Lutheran College.

Janelle works as a classroom Music and German teacher and strings specialist. She has directed student choirs and instrumental ensembles as well as Kodály musicianship workshops with adult community choirs in Melbourne. She is passionate about the Kodály philosophy of music education and has completed Level 1 and Level 2 Kodály Teacher Training Secondary Courses.

Janelle performs professionally with various orchestral and small ensembles in Geelong, adjudicates for the Geelong Advertiser Regional Music Competition and has been an active committee member for the Geelong Summer Music Camp. She joined the Geelong Youth Choir as a conductor in 2005.

Preludes (wearing blue shirts) singing with Cantore, Christmas 2017: