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/

THE JOY OF SPRING

With Spring just around the corner, planning is well under way for our annual Chorus fundraiser -
The Voice of Spring
The Heart of Erin - ladies chorus - and the Novapop chorus are polishing up their favourite new pieces to share with this year's audience.  [The Bluez Note Chorus has now closed - members are resting until a new chorus forms next year]    Fingers crossed that this awful flu bug that has been plaguing our region this winter will make itself scarce for this event.

Proceeds from the event are going this year to LIFELINE.   If you've been along to the Voice of Spring in past years, you'll be looking forward  to an afternoon following our usual format.....  *a short bracket of songs from each chorus  *a delicious afternoon tea  *a few games of bingo  *a Table Trivia Quiz  *a short comedy spot [this year with Rob Byrne] ..and *drawing the raffles .  We've got a great swag of prizes lined up for you this year including a 2 night B&B stay  and a very generous Art Class package.

The afternoon moves swiftly - we fit all of that into the space of just 2 hours!
If you'd like to join us for a delightful afternoon soiree and support a most worthy cause, Tickets are just $20pp.  [pre book/pay your ticket in advance and you'll go in the draw for separate prize]

section of audience 2016 event

The Voice of Spring
9th September ~2-4pm 
at St Mathews Church Hall, Wentworth Street Georgetown
Bookings/inquiries  Roz 0414 493 872     or  Moz  0421 072 444 
 {or get tickets from any of the choristers }
 

a few grand ladies preparing to sing in a grand lady!

 

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!