Singers to raise the roof

THE Ballarat Singers came together at the start of the COVID pandemic in as a way of keeping connected through shared interests including friendship, fun and importantly singing.

With gaps in lockdowns the group worked up a Christmas program and performed in front of an audience of over 80 people at Michael Unwin’s Winery.

Now, their next show on Sunday, 29 May at 2.30pm as part of Ballarat’s Heritage Festival and is set for St John’s Church Creswick.

With the help of an enthusiastic audience, they will be Raising the Roof with community hymn singing.

Choir member Megan Finlayson said that everyone remembers the hymns they learnt at church or school.

“Name a hymn and we can all sing it! Musical director Kevin Harper has chosen hymns with which we are all familiar,” Finlayson said.

“We very much hope that those who attend this free event will come dressed appropriately in the style that might have been worn when attending church in the 50s.”

Kevin Harper is delighted that the performance will be in St John’s Anglican Church Creswick.

“It is a beautiful church built in 1861 in bluestone to the Gothic design of the Ballarat architect H. R. Caselli,” he said.

“The lofty interior includes a rear gallery and a small organ recess opening off the chancel. Of particular interest is the Fincham and Hobday organ which has been relocated from the Barkly Uniting Church in Ballarat.

“The organ is a work of beauty. It will be played by Leigh Askew, an organist from Christ Church Cathedral Ballarat. This will be a wonderful opportunity to hear this magnificent organ and to join in communal hymn.”

The event is free and part of the Ballarat Heritage Festival. However, donations for the upkeep of the organ will be gratefully received as the organ was damaged in the catastrophic storms that hit Creswick in January this year.