FINALLY FRIDAY: Choir hits right note

Relations: Alex Morris said choir memebrs are like his extended family.

LEADING 32 women to sing in harmony and dance in time is a job Geelong Harmony Chorus director Alex Morris relishes.
The 25-year-old Melbournian said directing an acapella group that has been around almost as long as him was a ā€œpleasureā€.
ā€œThey’re like my extended family,ā€ Morris said
ā€œThey’re a really committed group – they take everything on board and they’re keen to keep doing better.ā€
Morris will lead the chorus in a Christmas performance at Courthouse ARTS theatre on December 16.
He promised the audience a ā€œfunā€ night.
ā€œWe’ve got a bit of a Christmas story to tell through performance and some great Christmas songs but we’re also performing regular songs from our repertoire.”
Geelong’s Bay City Conchords, which Morris dubbed his choir’s ā€œmale equivalentā€, and group Something Else! would also perform.
Morris said the performance would help the group ā€œgear upā€ for a national Sweet Adelines International competition in May.
ā€œEach choir from Australia who’s a part of Sweet Adelines competes, performing two songs.
ā€œIt’s essentially a big get-together of barbershop singers but we’re also hoping to win some medals,ā€ he laughed.
Morris said the group gave ā€œengaging performancesā€ because its songs were performed ā€œoff by heart, not sheet musicā€.
Members also invested their songs with plenty of emotion and choreography to connect with their audiences.
Morris said the choir members’ ages ranged from 19 to 70-plus but all enjoyed the challenge of bringing together different voices.
ā€œFrom a singing point of view, I have to deal with older voices different to younger voices but the ensembles works together so well and they know how to support one another.
ā€œI’m so lucky my life revolves around something I love,ā€ Morris said gleefully.
Geelong Harmony Chorus will perform 3pm December 16 at Courthouse ARTS theatre, 60 Malop St, Geelong.
Tickets will cost $20 at the door for adults or $15 for holders of concession cards.