Chime Choir: Our History
Kevin Casey
Founding Artistic Director: Artistic Director, 1984 to 2002
Kevin Casey, a well known Melbourne performer and teacher, who had previously founded the National Boys Choir, formed the Choral Institute of Melbourne (Chime), Inc, in 1984, so that girls and young adults would be able to join a choir, as well as boys.
Kevin Casey was a graduate of Toorak Teachers' College and Melbourne University. He taught Latin, French, English and Music at primary and secondary levels. He also taught voice at the Melbourne University's Faculty of Music and was widely sought after as an adjudicator for Eisteddfods. Kevin’s own performing career included many ABC recitals, Oratorios and Operas with ABC Television and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. International touring choirs under Kevin's directorship visited the Philippines, Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, Canada, Switzerland and Austria. Kevin retired as Artistic Director of Chime Choir in 2002 and, after a short illness, passed away in 2007. A friend and mentor to many; may he rest in peace. He is sadly missed. |
Jayne Turner
Artistic Director, 2002-2012 & Current Patron

Jayne joined Chime Choir in 1988, working with founder and director Kevin Casey. On Kevin’s retirement in 2002 she became Chime Choir’s Artistic Director, a post she held with distinction until 2012. Three choirs eventually transformed into the one we know today as Chime.
Jayne has had a long association with choirs. She sang semi-professionally for many years with the Melbourne Chorale, Victoria Chorale and Victorian Opera Chorus. As a Bachelor of Music graduate of the University of Melbourne, Jayne has been teaching for more than 20 years.
This has included choral specialist positions and senior class music, teaching VCE and International Baccalaureate. Jayne is currently Director of Music at Toorak College, Mt Eliza, and Assistant Artistic Director of the Essendon Symphony.
Jayne has had a long association with choirs. She sang semi-professionally for many years with the Melbourne Chorale, Victoria Chorale and Victorian Opera Chorus. As a Bachelor of Music graduate of the University of Melbourne, Jayne has been teaching for more than 20 years.
This has included choral specialist positions and senior class music, teaching VCE and International Baccalaureate. Jayne is currently Director of Music at Toorak College, Mt Eliza, and Assistant Artistic Director of the Essendon Symphony.
Marten Visser
Artistic Director, 2012-2019
Marten holds a Bachelor of Music with major studies in Vocal Performance and Choral Conducting and Marten holds a Bachelor of Music with major studies in Vocal Performance and Choral Conducting and also post graduate studies in Education & Christian Ministry. He studied Choral Conducting with Andrew Wailes (Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Chorale), Dr Ian Burk (Australian Catholic University) and Dr Geoffrey Cox (St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Melbourne). He has also participated in Choral Master classes with Dr Rodney Eichenberger (Florida State University), Dr Andree Thomas (Florida State University) and Assoc Prof. Carl Crossin OAM (Elder Conservatorium). Marten studied voice performance and vocal pedagogy with Loris Synan (Monash University) and Susan Breen-Clark (The University of Melbourne).
Marten is currently the Director of Music at St Margaret's and Berwick Grammar School, a leading school for Choral Music and Music Education. Previously, he was the Leader of Performing Arts and Head of Vocal and Choral Studies at Wantirna College, Melbourne. Marten has worked as a guest conductor, consultant, and adjudicator with the National Institute for Performing Arts Australia, The Australian Children's Choir, the Mildura Eisteddfod, the Jubilate Choir Melbourne, Presbyterian Ladies’ College, Gippsland Grammar School, Haileybury College, Donvale Christian College, The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority, and the North Eastern Victorian Regional Education Office. Marten took over the Artistic Direction of Chime Choir in 2012, after a brief stint as Assistant Artistic Director under Jayne Turner. After many influential years as Chime's musical leader, Marten has recently stepped down as Principal Artistic Director but looks forward to maintaining his close association with Chime and assisting the choir's continuing development. |
Coral Rafferty
Principal Accompanist 1990-2023
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Coral holds both Bachelor and Master Degrees in Music, a Graduate Diploma of Education from the University of Melbourne, and also a Bachelor of Educational Studies from Monash University. Coral was previously the Head of Music at Haileybury College, Berwick, and was Chime's incredible Principal Accompanist for three decades.
Coral accompanied the choir on the piano at rehearsals and during performances, both in Melbourne and on tour. She had - and has! An inexhaustible passion for choral accompanying; relishing the challenge of supporting the choristers and developing an artistic collaboration with conductors. Having worked with us for so long, between conductor and accompanist was essentially flawless! Coral's marvellous touch on the keyboard, and keen understanding of the Director’s methods enable her to assist the choir tremendously in learning new music, and in interpreting established repertoire. During her long and happy association with Chime, Coral was fortunate to travel with the choir as Accompanist to Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Italy, England, Scotland, and the United States. In 2023 she decided it was time for some well-earned R&R, and although we will miss her greatly, we can't wait to see her in our audience! |