Singers host song bath event to spread hope and peace through harmonies

BALLINA Threshold Singers hosted a gathering of voices from across Australia and New Zealand, highlighted by a song bath at St John the Baptist Church at Lennox Head.

The weekend brought together more than 40 singers for a shared experience centred on connection and community.

It was organised by a group of local volunteers, with Jane Eliott and Cathy Ridd part of the group who helped run the event.

The song bath was timely, with the group’s style of music offering a sense of calm amid broader global uncertainty.

“The kind of music that we sing brings such peace and hope and encouragement to people and to us as we sing it,” Ridd said. “It’s perfect music for everything that’s going on.”

“It was incredible. We all agreed it was like we were one voice; it was just so special singing together and singing for those people who’d come looking for some peace and refreshment from whatever is going on in their lives.”

The event was particularly significant for the Ballina group, marking the first time its members had taken part in a gathering of that scale.

Formed in early 2020, the Ballina Threshold Singers have continued to grow, united by a shared passion for bringing comfort through song.

“This is only the second time that singers from around Australia and New Zealand have gathered,” Ridd said.

“The last time was in 2018, when our choir in Ballina didn’t even exist.

“It’s a beautiful group of people. We love what we do and we’re really passionate about it.”

Threshold singing is most often offered to people nearing the end of life.

The group also performs at community events and will soon take part in World Labyrinth Day, singing as people walk the labyrinth at St Mary’s Anglican Church.

The group hopes the recent gathering will help raise awareness and encourage more people to connect with their work.

“It can be for anyone who is in need of some peace or hope, anyone who is in pain in their body, their mind or their spirit,” Ridd said.

“We would love for the word to get out about what we do so that more people would contact us and ask us to come and sing for them or their loved ones.”