Altona’s Louis Joel Arts and Community Centre will soon have the beautiful noise of singing wafting out of its walls, with a new choir being launched later this month.
Creativity Australia is launching its With One Voice program for Hobsons Bay residents of all ages and singing abilities from Friday April 28, with rehearsals held every Friday from 1.30pm to 2.30pm.
Ranging from popular music from artists such as Adele, Duffy and Harry Styles to African and Indigenous music, conductor Steph Payne said lyrics will be provided and there will be no sheet music.
“You don’t have to be a professional,” she said.
“It’s accessible to absolutely everyone.”
Ms Payne said she fell in love with a capella community choirs 25 years ago.
“I remember watching a choir sing live for the first time and thinking the best place to hear that must be where the director stands and deciding that was the job for me,” she said.
“Once I’d experienced the beautiful feeling of singing harmonies and being part of a singing community, I wanted everyone to feel that joy too.
“I went off to study music and the rest is history.”
Ms Payne said the program has a significant social element to it, with tea and coffee and a chat part of each rehearsal.
“Music is a tool that tends to bring people together,” she said.
“Singing together connects us with a deep need to express ourselves.
“It moves us, it lifts us and our shared voice surrounds us with joy.”
Ms Payne said she is hoping the choir will host 30 participants, with the choir set to perform about twice a term.
Details: withonevoice.org.au/choirs/hobsonsbay
Matthew Sims
