Allison Pyke
Founder and President
I founded the Andante Andante Choir Inc. in 2004. A life time of love for ABBA's music and the
lack of opportunity to share this love outside the internet environment were the driving forces
behind my decision to start the choir. Since deciding to start the choir I have been a "Jack(Jill)-
of-all-trades" doing everything from being a:
Rodney Clancy
Musical Director
Rodney Clancy grew up on a farm at Gunning, NSW. He attended St. Patrick’s College
Goulburn, while there he learned to play Trombone, French horn, Euphonium and Tuba. His
real passion is in singing and conducting. His experience has seen him conduct orchestras
and choirs including: Australian Federal Police Choir; ACT Singers Inc.; ACT Rep Singers;
Andante Andante Choir Inc; church choirs (both adult’s and children's); Canberra Youth Choir;
and at times choirs including Llewellyn Choir; Canberra Men's Choir and The Australian Rugby
Choir. He has conducted works including Gilbert & Sullivan's ‘Trial by Jury’,’ The Mikado’, ‘The
Gondoliers’ and John Stainer's ‘The Crucifixion’.
Rodney has also conducted as the Musical Director of the Jerrabomberra Community
Christmas Carols with orchestra and choir. He has sung in many choirs and performed many
works including the Canberra School of Music's production of Mahler's Symphony No 8. He has
also played in orchestras and bands including the Canberra City Band, Goulburn City
Christmas Carols Orchestra, St Patrick's College Band and Orchestra, church music with pipe
organ, sextets and solos.
Hildegarde Palafox
Accompanist
Ms. Hildegarde Palafox is a Philippine-born Australian Music educator. Starting to learn music
at the age of 8, she won a national youth piano competition at the age of 12 and was awarded a
piano scholarship at the University of the Philippines. She is an alumna of the University of
Santo Tomás Conservatory of Music (Manila, Philippines) graduating with the degree of
Bachelor of Music (B.M. Music Education, 1977). Committed to continuing professional
development, she has undertaken training in performance and teaching (Yamaha Music
School, Manila, Philippines 1977-1979: electronic organ, piano and YMC- Yahama Music
Course), (Australia 1992-1993, 1997-2007), pipe organ (ACT Organ School, 2005-2007), Orff-
Schulwerk (Antwerp, Belgium 1981), Church Music and Handbell Choir (USA 1986-1987) and
Choral Technique (Philippines 1977-1979), (USA 1986-1987), (Australia 1990-1991), Studio
Teaching (Australia 1988-present) and Singing (2007).
Founder and President
I founded the Andante Andante Choir Inc. in 2004. A life time of love for ABBA's music and the
lack of opportunity to share this love outside the internet environment were the driving forces
behind my decision to start the choir. Since deciding to start the choir I have been a "Jack(Jill)-
of-all-trades" doing everything from being a:
- human resources manager (finding and hiring musical directors, musical arrangers
and accompanists), - publicity officer (writing articles, giving interviews to promote the choir and encouraging
people to join), - fund raising manager,
- webmaster,
- account manger, and
- administrator.
Rodney Clancy
Musical Director
Rodney Clancy grew up on a farm at Gunning, NSW. He attended St. Patrick’s College
Goulburn, while there he learned to play Trombone, French horn, Euphonium and Tuba. His
real passion is in singing and conducting. His experience has seen him conduct orchestras
and choirs including: Australian Federal Police Choir; ACT Singers Inc.; ACT Rep Singers;
Andante Andante Choir Inc; church choirs (both adult’s and children's); Canberra Youth Choir;
and at times choirs including Llewellyn Choir; Canberra Men's Choir and The Australian Rugby
Choir. He has conducted works including Gilbert & Sullivan's ‘Trial by Jury’,’ The Mikado’, ‘The
Gondoliers’ and John Stainer's ‘The Crucifixion’.
Rodney has also conducted as the Musical Director of the Jerrabomberra Community
Christmas Carols with orchestra and choir. He has sung in many choirs and performed many
works including the Canberra School of Music's production of Mahler's Symphony No 8. He has
also played in orchestras and bands including the Canberra City Band, Goulburn City
Christmas Carols Orchestra, St Patrick's College Band and Orchestra, church music with pipe
organ, sextets and solos.
Hildegarde Palafox
Accompanist
Ms. Hildegarde Palafox is a Philippine-born Australian Music educator. Starting to learn music
at the age of 8, she won a national youth piano competition at the age of 12 and was awarded a
piano scholarship at the University of the Philippines. She is an alumna of the University of
Santo Tomás Conservatory of Music (Manila, Philippines) graduating with the degree of
Bachelor of Music (B.M. Music Education, 1977). Committed to continuing professional
development, she has undertaken training in performance and teaching (Yamaha Music
School, Manila, Philippines 1977-1979: electronic organ, piano and YMC- Yahama Music
Course), (Australia 1992-1993, 1997-2007), pipe organ (ACT Organ School, 2005-2007), Orff-
Schulwerk (Antwerp, Belgium 1981), Church Music and Handbell Choir (USA 1986-1987) and
Choral Technique (Philippines 1977-1979), (USA 1986-1987), (Australia 1990-1991), Studio
Teaching (Australia 1988-present) and Singing (2007).
The People
While these things have been time consuming and difficult to fit into my busy schedule the thing I found the be the real challenge was
the music itself................
I do not have a background in music so I had to very quickly gain extensive knowledge in this area as musical knowledge was needed
to provide the choir with Harmony CD'S and to help with choral arrangements. Within a space of only 4 weeks I went from knowing
nothing more than the four spaces of the Treble Cleff spelt FACE to understanding enough musically to competently use Finale
software and start arranging songs for the choir. I found that I really enjoy learning about music and therefore I am now studying
music and sitting exams at Australian Music Examination Board (AMEB).
My time is given to AAC on a voluntary basis (I have a full time paid position working with statistics). My involvement is purely for my
love of ABBA's music and music generally as well as the many good friendships I have made with choir members along the way.
I would love you to join us each Monday from 7.30pm to 9.30pm at the Lutheran Church Hall, 6 Boolee St Reid ACT and invite you to
drop in for a look at what we do.
the music itself................
I do not have a background in music so I had to very quickly gain extensive knowledge in this area as musical knowledge was needed
to provide the choir with Harmony CD'S and to help with choral arrangements. Within a space of only 4 weeks I went from knowing
nothing more than the four spaces of the Treble Cleff spelt FACE to understanding enough musically to competently use Finale
software and start arranging songs for the choir. I found that I really enjoy learning about music and therefore I am now studying
music and sitting exams at Australian Music Examination Board (AMEB).
My time is given to AAC on a voluntary basis (I have a full time paid position working with statistics). My involvement is purely for my
love of ABBA's music and music generally as well as the many good friendships I have made with choir members along the way.
I would love you to join us each Monday from 7.30pm to 9.30pm at the Lutheran Church Hall, 6 Boolee St Reid ACT and invite you to
drop in for a look at what we do.
He currently conducts the Andante Andante Choir Inc., Canberra Chamber Choir, the Canberra Youth Choir and works as a vocal
coach to singers. Rodney is also in the process of completing his Bachelor of Business (Accounting).
coach to singers. Rodney is also in the process of completing his Bachelor of Business (Accounting).
While pursuing a career as a music educator, Hildegarde has likewise performed in public (piano and electronic organ) in the
Philippines, Sri Lanka, the USA, Cambodia, Switzerland and Australia. At present, she accompanies the Andante Andante Choir Inc.
and the Sing Australia Tuggeranong Choir as the regular accompanist. She is also the relief accompanist and conductor for various
other Sing Australia choirs in Canberra. In April this year, she was the official accompanist for Sing Australia’s tour of Turkey and
Greece, which included rehearsals for the Sing Australia performances at the Anzac Day ceremonies at Gallipoli.
Philippines, Sri Lanka, the USA, Cambodia, Switzerland and Australia. At present, she accompanies the Andante Andante Choir Inc.
and the Sing Australia Tuggeranong Choir as the regular accompanist. She is also the relief accompanist and conductor for various
other Sing Australia choirs in Canberra. In April this year, she was the official accompanist for Sing Australia’s tour of Turkey and
Greece, which included rehearsals for the Sing Australia performances at the Anzac Day ceremonies at Gallipoli.
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