SINGING THE BLUES

The Bluez Note chorus will be sharing a few of their favourite pieces for a community fundraiser - BLUES FOR THE BLUES -  coming up this month on Sunday August 20, 2pm at South's Merewether.

This is an afternoon of easy-listening Classic Blues with Maureen O'Brien and her ensemble playing songs from the earliest Blues artists - such as Robert Johnson and Bessie Smith - up to contemporary artists such as Tom Waits, Shawn Colvin, Gary Moore. 


The event will see all profits going to HEADSPACE - for youth mental health.  Tickets are $20pp and can be obtained at the door. 

A generous prize pool has been donated and guests will have plenty of opportunities to pick up a prize including:

Vouchers from:   

Real Coffee on Darby  www.realcoffee.com.au   and  Bakers Delight, Waratah ....plus gift packs of cosmetics, cds, homewares, and more.....

HEADSPACE  provides early intervention mental health  services to 12-25 year old;  75% of mental health issues emerge before the age of 25; 1 in 4 young people have experienced mental health issues in the past 12 months.  More information can be obtained at  www.headspace.org.au

Back into the Swing of Sing

This week all choruses are back on deck ready to swing into 2017. 
And what a year it will be!  I have some exciting new challenges, opportunities and ideas in mind for our chorus groups this year.

In reflecting on the nature of community music, it reinforces the 'pebble in the pond' concept.   We never know just how much effect we have on others, even with the smallest contribution. 
In Newcastle, Mark Jackson's  Ukulele initiative is a perfect example - from a small beginners session a few short years ago, the Newkulele initiative has exploded to thousands of community members now experiencing the joy of making music, as well as making new friends and finding their connection to their community.

As singers, we make a difference when we share ourselves and our love of song with others in the community - whether that be in a concert format to groups or events, or simply busking in the street.  The thing IS, that we never know just how far our ripple may spread!   For example;   this comment from someone recently - "I went along reluctantly, I was having a tough time and a bad day, the music just lifted me to another place as if a load on my shoulders was being lightened.  I felt so much better at the end of the concert and when I got home I was so relaxed that I had an inspired thought which  just might solve one of my problems.  Thank you so much for a lovely afternoon.

Now, we'll never know who the person was or what problems they had, or what solution they found or what effect their change in attitude had on someone close to them....but simply doing what we do, made a difference to somebody.   And how many OTHER somebody's might we have helped at that same event?  We'll never know. 
And that's the ripple effect of a pebble in a pond.  We never know how far the ripple will travel.

Wishing you all a more music-filled year ahead

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! :) }

Supporting our Community

All 3 choruses - Heart of Erin + Hot Gospel + the New Leaf Singers - will be singing their hearts out for LIFELINE on Sunday 13th September.  You can make a contribution to your community too - *come along and buy a ticket to the Soiree  *tell others in the Newcastle region about the Soiree  *Donate a product, service, or voucher which can be used on the day

WE'D LIKE TO THANK THE FOLLOWING SPONSORS WHO HAVE DONATED TO THE EVENT:

*Capture Imaging Photography 
 captureimaging.com.au

*A Little Bit Tender Massage Therapies
www.alittlebittendermassagetherapies.com.au

*Macleans Booksellers, Hamilton
www.macleansbooks.com.au 

* Mad Hatter Millinery
madhattermillinery.com.au  
 
* The Duke of Wellington Hotel 
www.dukehotel.com.au