Choirs to raise church roof

THE Ballarat Singers alongside members of the Bigger Hearts Choir will be raising the roof at York Street Church of Christ this weekend as part of Ballarat Heritage Festival.

On Saturday 25 May at 2pm, the combined choir will be performing popular hymns within their Raise the Roof concert.

The performance’s musical director is Kevin Harper, and although the event will be free to attend, any donations made will go to the Bigger Hearts Choir to support their weekly rehearsal costs.

“We all remember the hymns we sang at school or church,” Harper said. “It’s how many great singers started their careers.

“Not only are we looking forward to hearing the Bigger Hearts Choir sing but we will also be joined by nine-year old harpist Anna Macak who will delight the congregation and audience with her extraordinary playing.”

The Ballarat Singers are a non-professional group which gets together on Mondays fortnightly to enjoy the social and health benefits of singing.

The Bigger Hearts Choir is made up of people living with dementia, their carers and family members.

Harper said The Bigger Hearts choir brings joy to its participants, who will be singing three of their favourite songs at Raise the Roof.

As it’s a Heritage Festival event, he encourages people who can to attend “in the style that might have been worn when attending church in the 50s;” so gloves and hats for women, and suits and ties for men.

The Ballarat Singers rehearse at Ballarat Trades Hall on Camp Street from 5pm every second Monday, and always welcome new “community-minded” members.