Five years ago a group of interested people from Probus, a professional and business social group for men and women, formed the Whittlesea Township Choir.
There are 15 members, including three men, who are aged in their 30s to 80s. We are a non-audition community choir and sing a cappella. We welcome new members.
We are planning to launch our first CD, Out of the Ash, in October-November featuring three songs, two of which we wrote with composer Sue Johnson. It was recorded in the Uniting Church Hall in Whittlesea.
The first song we wrote was Whittlesea Town, based on what we love about living here; things such as the natural beauty, pleasant people and calm pace.
Out of the Ash is based on our experience in the 2009 bushfires; it is a choral piece in four-part harmony, with Sue Johnson on piano. As you can imagine, it is a very emotional song for us.
The lyrics include this refrain: ‘‘Together we stand our voices raised higher, bonded as one by the heat of the fire.’’
The third song on the CD is a freedom song from South Africa, Shoshaloza, which is great fun to sing.
Our repertoire includes an eclectic range of music and we perform, by request, for local groups such as aged care facilities and at community events.
Last weekend on September 30, we were part of the Melbourne Arts Centre’s Raising the Roof concert. We were ‘‘planted’’ in pairs in the audience as part of a massed singing event, and led the audience in song in Hamer Hall.
We were one of many regional community choirs that came together from all over the state to be part of the concert featuring vocal and instrumental ensembles from communities across Victoria.
It is the first time we have sung at Hamer Hall, and it was great fun. It suited our motto: ‘‘Singers are Bringers of Joy.’’
