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   

Taking the Plunge

This week chorus members return to their groups as we start a new year.  That means new material!  And that's always exciting.  Challenging, definitely - but exciting as well.  Most members won't have done any singing since mid-December so inevitably there'll be a little 'rust in the pipes' ...but a good first sing should clear that out.
A new year is a time when many people make new-year-resolutions ....and things they've been procrastinating on finally get to the top of the list.  So I'm never surprised now when new members tell me "oh, I've been meaning to do this for years! why did I wait so long?!".  And I love seeing the joy that singing in a group brings to existing - and new members.  But particularly new members who are experiencing for the first - or at least for a very long - time, that magic buzz that just fills you up when you've finished a singing session.
Who needs drugs when you sing out loud with like-minded folks!
So if you've been thinking about it for awhile, maybe NOW is the time to take the plunge.....you won't regret it.

Lifting the Spirit

All year 'round I talk to my singers about the positive benefits of Singing.  The research   

demonstrating how good it is for us -
 physically - heart health, lung health, energising us - and how good it is for us
mentally - keeping the 'blues' at bay, connecting with others in the group gives us a sense of belonging
- but at this time of year particularly, I want to remind my singers about the spiritual benefits associated with singing.  This time of year is difficult for so many people - struggling with loneliness, family splits, the pressures society imposes in trying to create the 'perfect Christmas'.  Sharing the joy of song with others gives US even more benefits. 
Knowing that we can lift the heart of others simply by giving away a song, lifts our own heart as well.  The joy of giving to others is the true gift of Christmas - and that cannot be measured in dollar value.  Sharing a song, from your heart to theirs, is a most powerful gift - probably far more than you will ever know in some cases.
So lift your voices singers ....give the gift of a song, freely and with the pure joy of singing .... to share the true Spirit of Christmas.

THIS DECEMBER my 3 community chorus groups:  Heart of Erin, Hot Gospel, and the New Leaf Singers, will be "Busking for Bucks" on the 13th December in the Newcastle area - we'll be handing 'round a bucket for donations and passing these on to Lifeline.