Third Soul Choir lifts off with Space Oddity

Becoming Bowie: George and Geoffrey Williams have many ideas for their Virtual Soul Choir but couldn’t go past their latest choice for its relevant themes. Photo: SUPPLIED

GROUND control to Ballarat’s vocalists… George and Geoffrey Williams are launching their latest Virtual Soul Choir Project, and it’s ready for lift off.

For the third musical video clip in their digital series, the vocal tutors and performers are inviting you to join them, by filming yourself singing David Bowie’s Space Oddity, which has been specially arranged for a choir by Mr Williams.

Mrs Williams said the song is an iconic, evocative one, considering the current climate.

“Being about isolation and connection, we felt it would be a great song to launch now,” she said.

“It’s a really positive community project for everyone to focus on, and to connect in this way creatively, across time and space, is a ray of light.”

Space Oddity has a special place in Mr Williams’ heart. Listening to it takes him back to the late-60s and early 70s, all while still sounding fresh.

“It feels contemporary now, and I love that Bowie was inspired to write it by watching 2001: A Space Odyssey,” he said.

“I love everything about the song, and the story around it. This song has a life of its own with everyone, and so many people love it.”

The Virtual Soul Choir arrangement can be heard in full at virtualsoulchoir.com. It’s an “anthemic” piece, offering four parts for varying vocal ranges.

The pair said their adaption is a little more uplifting from a choral perspective.

Participants can choose a part to rehearse on the website, practice, and video themselves singing with headphones on so their backing part isn’t playing out loud.

Once clips are uploaded, a producer will blend the voices and videos, and the piece will be shared online.

Mr Williams said the editing process is where “actual magic happens.”

“When you see and hear the final thing, it all comes together. It’s an experience that wows people.

“It’s also a chance to do a performance, which is something many of us aren’t doing at the moment. You have to mic-up and muster the right mindset, focus and energy,” he said.

Submissions close on Sunday, 22 November.