More voices: Evette and Samuel, both nine, sing up a storm for Geelong Youth Choir.
JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
Choirs are the new book clubs, if their surge in popularity is anything to go by.
Geelong Youth Choir and associated group Bella Mama have two rehearsal venues at Highton and Lara, with plans for sites on the Bellarine Peninsula and Surf Coast.
Choir leaders Kim Young and Denise Hollingworth see a definite swing back to group singing.
Denise, the choir’s musical director since 2006, noted what she called a definite trend of people joining choirs.
“There are a dozen or more choirs in Geelong now,” she estimated.
“Choirs offer an opportunity for participation in music. Not everyone can sing solo but most can sing as part of a group.”
Geelong Youth Choir was founded in 1980 to provide children in the city with a quality music education.
The choir was more than just a sing-a-long, Denise explained.
“It’s actually a comprehensive musicianship program complete with vocal training and music theory based on the Kodaly method.”
Denise said several students had gone on to music careers, although the choir couldn’t claim any international stars – yet.
“Some of the kids have been mentored to become assistants and we had one student who came back to work as a teacher after graduating from the program,” she said.
A committee of management runs the organisational side while four choir teachers and several assistants look after the musical tuition.
Denise said the choir tried to instil a sense of community in participants by supporting other organisations and undertaking promotional activities, with the latest a fundraising concert for Geelong Animal Welfare Society.
“We’re looking for business sponsors and children to join a four-week program to lead into the concert on Sunday, April 29. This project is open to young people who aren’t members of the choir but who would like to join in the efforts to raise money for GAWS.”
Bella Mama was born after several mums, who brought their children to choir rehearsal, decided to form their own group.
Mother-and-daughter members Heather and Kelly Jane said the group was now open to all women.
Kelly said the choir had become a key part of her life.
“I’d be lost without it,” she said.
“It’s uplifting. It produces a high similar to exercise.
“Singing is natural – even my two and four-year-olds do it.”
Kelly believed “inhibitions” and busy lifestyles sometimes held people back from joining choirs.
“But it’s easy to join and there are no auditions –- just come along.”
The youth choir plans an end-of-term concert on April 3 as well as a choral festival and a combined performance with Bay City Strings. Music camps and singing workshops are also part of the program.
The choir even runs a pre-school program called Let’s Make Music under the guidance of an early childhood music specialist.
Denise said more information about the youth choirs was available by phoning 0431 981 652 or email geelongyouthchoir@ymail.com.
