The Choir Community was saddened to learn of the passing of Harold Bird OAM.
Harold was the Choir Manager in the early, formative years of the organisation along with Kevin Casey, Lyn Brereton-Casey and his wife Yvonne Bird; he gradually set the foundations for the Choir as it is today.
Harold had a strong personal vision for NBCA to be the best boys choir in Australia and one of the best in the world – many would claim his steady hand at the helm steered the Choir well into world recognition.
For 27 years Harold dedicated his life to the Choir. He had a passion and a belief that the Choir could educate and develop boys both musically and on a personal level.
There are many past choristers who will remember Harold with fond and humorous memories, and many will acknowledge that he played a small part in the people they have become today.
After Harold retired from his role at the Choir his interest in its activities never waned, maintaining an active role in the annual audition program and, along with his wife Yvonne, never missed a Choir concert.
One vision that Harold and Yvonne never failed to give up on was for the Choir to own its own home – a building with studios, storage and wardrobe facilities. That vision was realised with the purchase of our current premises, which is the envy of many similar organisations. Both he and Yvonne received OAMs for their services to the Choir.