Yes we’re back!! Having already survived the Spanish Flu of 1918, there was no doubt that the Sydney University Musical Society (SUMS), the oldest AICSA choir, would survive the Great Pandemic and be back to host another IV for your choral pleasure.

The Australian Intervarsity Choral Societies Association (AICSA) is best known for overseeing the Australian Intervarsity Choral Festivals (IVCFs), often just referred to as “IVs”. One of the highlights of the choral calendar in Australia, choristers from member choirs come together in one capital city for intensive rehearsals leading to a performance in that city. The festival is the first non-competitive choral festival for university students in the world and is still one of the few such festivals in existence.

Back in 1950, SUMS hosted the Melbourne University Choral Society in what was to become known as the first IVCF, leading to the eventual genesis of AICSA itself. This makes 2025 the 75th Anniversary of the IV movement, so come to Sydney, there’s a lot to celebrate!

Conductor

We’re proud to announce that Dr. Sarah Penicka-Smith will be leading us all for SIV25. A passionate advocate for music as a force for change, Sarah is no stranger to SUMS or the IV movement. A past member of SUMS, she conducted Canberra IV 2010 with a fabulous programme that included the Llibre Vermell de Montserrat and Whitacre’s Cloudburst.

She is a unique and innovative voice in Australian music, who thrives working across genres & disciplines. A conductor from Western Sydney with a socially-engaged arts practice, she is dedicated to giving a platform to artists whose voices are missing from the mainstage.

Save the date

Put this in your calendar now! January 2025 you’ll be in Sydney, don’t make any other plans!

MORE DETAILS TO COME

Repertoire, registration information and lots of other juicy details will soon be coming your way.