Choir practice open to all

CREATIVITY Australia’s With One Voice community choir is inviting the public to an open rehearsal this Wednesday, 4 May at the Ballarat North Bowls Club in preparation for their upcoming performances.

From 6pm to 7.30pm, attendees can watch the group hone their craft and even join in the singing in what With One Voice coordinator Rob McDougall said will be an intimate evening of song and revelry.

“We’ve been getting our songs ready, and we thought what a great idea it would be to open up our regular rehearsal to friends and family and anyone who wants to check it out,” he said.

“Our repertoire will include semi-modern songs by The Cranberries and stuff as far back as The Seekers, as well as more choral songs. It’s a very eclectic mix.

“We held an open rehearsal late last year and it was amazing, so it’s a great way to show our family and friends where we go off to on a Wednesday night.”

Lyric sheets will be handed out for the audience to sing along with the performers, and the rehearsal will be followed by a light supper where the attendees can ask the production crew questions.

The upcoming performances for With One Voice include a show on Saturday, 21 May at Barkly Square as part of Heritage Week, and a performance for Sebastopol Library’s Libraries After Dark program on Thursday, 26 May.

While With One Voice consists of about 30 singers, McDougall said their previous open rehearsal led to new additions to their group, and that it provides a great way for people to test their vocals.

“We’re a community choir. So, there’s no auditions, it’s just come along and try it. You pretty soon find where you fit, whether you’re a soprano, alto, or whatever,” he said.

“The thing for us to sort of show off about is that when we all get together and sing, we sound bloody fantastic.

“And just to see the looks on people’s faces when we’re all singing together, themselves included, and that audience interaction and the clear joy it brings to them is what it’s all about.”