SINGING FOR SUSAN

 In May 2021 a group of community singers gathered to raise some funds for a young friend in Kenya who - due to covid - is struggling to complete her studies [A Diploma in Social Work].  Susan is one of the Robins Nest Global Child family.  

Singers - drawn from our past chorus groups [now no longer functioning due to the pandemic] and Maureen's Theatre network - generously gave of their time, their talent, and their limited funds to assist.  

Here is a summary of the event;

New Year Musical Musings

Many Chorus groups are in recess for the holiday season and some members will, I know, be champing at the bit to get back for their weekly 'song fix'.  Others will be recouping their energies in anticipation of another big year ahead.  One thing's for sure, though, we'll all be looking forward to getting back into the swing of sing.

So when you're part of a chorus, you're part of a team.  And we're all in it together because we love to make music. But here's some food for thought to mull over while you're on your break:

• On this chorus journey, are you a participative passenger or are you a snoozer?  
•  The snoozer pops along for their weekly chorus, enjoys the fun and the fellowship of singing with the chorus members, leaves on a high, then forgets it all until the next session (where they've most likely forgotten everything they learned at the last one anyway)
• The participative passenger engages with the process along the journey.  Between sessions, they'll do some vocal exercises, work on the new material by both listening and singing the songs, they might even make notes to ask their director for clarification with some notes or phrasings at the next chorus.
• In your chorus, do you set yourself some little challenges?
• In life generally, we all have our fears.  It's no different in your chorus.  Some people fear having to perform.  Some people fear being heard, so sing very softly hiding behind the other voices.  But whatever your fears, taking dolly steps to overcoming them is the best way to build your confidence, helping you enjoy your chorus even more.   Try these tips;
• each week turn your volume up a tiny bit louder ...dolly steps are good enough to help you reach your destination
• each week practice lifting your eyes off the page ...reading your lyrics is merely a security blanket
• each week try adding a little more facial expression...sing with your eyes, add a smile, ....let it become a weekly habit and it will come naturally when you're in front of an audience   
• REMEMBER  that mistakes are the stepping stones that keep us on the right track...don't be afraid of making them, it's how we learn, correct, proceed. 

Make 2019 the year that you confidently GROW in your chorus.

Community in Action

In the midst of a chilly winter, we're looking forward - as you do! - to Spring ...and that brings us to our annual Fundraiser .....The Voice of Spring

Once a year our choruses combine for an event to raise funds for a local NFP or Charity.  This has become a much enjoyed event to which we look forward with enthusiasm and 2018 is no exception.

The beautiful celtic chorus Heart of Erin will be singing, along with our very funloving socialites Novapop ...and as a special treat, our guest comedy artists will be "Kitty Katz" with her fractured fairy tale sketch and song.
The afternoon is filled with song, music, games and a generous prize pool to vie for ....PLUS....a most delicious afternoon tea.
Do join us, won't you?
More information will be provided as we get closer to the event which will be:
SATURDAY 3RD NOVEMBER  -  2pm - at the St Augustines church hall in Merewether  [opposite Souths']

Yes, You Can

How many of you reading this can remember when you first joined a chorus, fearing that someone would discover your guilty shame – that you can’t really sing...?  That you’re here because you’re just longing to do some singing -because you love it.  ? That if you sing softly enough, no one will hear you and you can stay a little longer. ?

   This self-defeating belief is more common than you can possibly imagine and chances are it was a seed that was sown in your childhood, took root, and became a sturdy tree.     

   Yet human beings are wired for music and for rhythm. Ongoing worldwide research continues to prove the value of making music for good mental, emotional, and physical health. Singing calms and exhilarates us, releases lots of feel-good chemicals in the body, stirs memories, gets the blood moving around our body, stimulates healthy breathing and good heart/lung health.  And nothing compares to the absolute joy of raising your voice with others to make music.

   So here’s a thought  or 3 ... 

• instead of judging someone who is singing in a not-so-pleasing voice, how about offering some encouragement [or help if you are an experienced singer!];  
•  instead of laughing at a child [or heaven forbid an adult] who is singing out of key, how about offering a kind word and a tip for improvement;   
• think about the fact that music  - like art – is relative ...  what pleases one ear or eye, may not please another, and just because a singer is famous or lauded by millions, doesn’t mean they are the benchmark for correctness.  After all,  if there was only ONE standard – imagine how much wonderful music the world would miss out on!  And how boring if the only thing we had to listen to was one genre, one style, one pitch/key!

   The world of music is a generous world.  It welcomes ALL who want to participate.  And like all disciplines, the more we do it, the better at it we get!

Here's an article I found through the week which reminds us to be gentle with those young hearts. http://www.gypsythugmom.com/quit-telling-your-kids-they-cant-sing/

Heart and Soul

All 3 chorus groups are preparing for this years combined fundraiser event - Voice of Spring. 
This year we will be singing our hearts out for the Soul Cafe - a not-for-profit, registered charity that does an outstanding job for those in need locally.   Here is the website if you'd like to know more.  http://soulcafe.org.au/
Our fundraiser last year was well supported and all in attendance had a most delightful, fun afternoon. Tickets will be available within the next few weeks and we encourage you to buy tickets for yourself and family/friends too. Note...no tickets at the door, they must be purchased in advance.

 If you're unable to attend, perhaps you can help in other ways and we'd love to help you identify some of those ways!  You can contact us on bookings@maureen.com.au

Songs of Home for the homeless

Our Celtic singers - Heart of Erin - took the opportunity on St Patricks day this year, to sing up a storm in Beaumont Street, busking for local charity Hunter Homeless Connect.

Not an easy task on a busy street with lots of traffic noise ....but we found a shady spot where people could linger and listen - and they did!

Although only a small chorus, these ladies make a beautiful, joyful sound - and could be heard above the traffic, over the other side of the street, where the local Irish pub was getting ready for it's big day/night of celebrations.
Even the Irish publican came over for a closer listen and an invitation to join the festivities.
Well done ladies!

A Giving that cost Nothing

 It seems we've started a new tradition for our chorus group/s this year .... Cocktails and Carols.
On a beautiful summer's evening with a cool sea breeze blowing away the heat of the day, members from my 3 community chorus groups gathered here to share some festive fare and social, then went out into the street to sing carols.  Traveling from one end of the street to the other and back, gifting neighbours with Christmas songs and Christmas Greetings.
Many members had never been Caroling before and were surprised at the response.          

For an experienced Caroler tho', it gave a great sense of enjoyment and satisfaction to be giving to our micro community....and observing the pleasure and surprise it gave to people - some who came out of their homes to listen, others who listened from inside.
It was a first-hand experience of how singing can uplift others ...and ourselves.
From Heart of Erin,  Hot Gospel, and the New Leaf Singers , a very happy Christmas to you and may 2016 inspire you to join a group and SING! 

that's SING Lou ...not Swing!  - One of our members, Louise got into character.

  

a Friendly Thank You

What a grand effort made by our choristers last weekend!  The "Voice of Spring" was a most delightful afternoon and we made a nice tidy profit for Lifeline.  Everyone worked hard to make the day a success and all 3 chorus groups sang better than they've ever done!   We had close to a full house on the day and everyone was so very generous.  Big thank you as well to our generous sponsors:  *Creative Imaging Photography  *A Little Bit Tender Massage Therapies  *The Duke of Wellington Hotel, New Lambton  *MacLeans Books, Hamilton  and various private donors [you know who you are].

It was a truly hand-to-hand community event which made everyone feel good, valued, worthy.  And that's just one of the side benefits of being part of a community chorus group.  The sense of having contributed in some way to your local community and your larger community provides all of us with the sure knowledge that we CAN make a difference. 

Sometimes, the crisis' and tragedies happening across the world can be overwhelming and it's a natural reaction to "switch off", feeling that we have no way of helping or making a difference.   But we CAN do something to help at our local level ..... and every little bit helps.  When we volunteer to help others, we get more out of it than we give via that sense of satisfaction in doing something.

As a member of a community chorus, giving your time effort and vocal talent,  you are helping to support local NFP and charity organisations which in turn help those in need.  And that's no 'little' thing.

You can catch a glimpse of the groups saying "thank you"  here ....
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntkeVJ1ekWA  ...
{apologies, the person who took the vid was behind the Director - and that didn't leave a lot of space to fit in all the chorus members! :) }