Gardens songs in full bloom

UPLIFTING sounds filled the Pavilion in the Bendigo Botanic Gardens on Sunday afternoon as about thirty people gathered to take part in a community choir.

The ongoing event was run by CocoSounds and organiser Stella Savy said everyone is welcome to join in.

“It’s for the fun of singing,” she said. “It’s open to anyone in the community who wants to come and have a sing. We do world music, gospel and that kind of stuff.

“We chose to hold it in the Gardens so we can be outside, social distance and have a bit of protection in case it’s hot, or raining, or whatever.”

About three years ago Ms Savy begun running a monthly singing workshop at The Old Church on the Hill.

Like with pretty much everything else, COVID put a stop to those in person events in March last year, although there was some online activity, but now the get togethers have returned.

“This is the first session back since COVID,” she said. “It’s pretty amazing. After the first song we sang everyone was, ‘that’s so cool!’ So there is a definite kind of magic that happens when people come together and sing.

“During lockdowns we’ve been trying to keep something going on Zoom. It’s not the same but been a bit if a lifeline for some people in terms of keeping a bit of a social connection.”

With current COVID restrictions making it difficult to hold choir and group singing events inside, the monthly meet ups will continue in the Botanic Gardens for the time being.

“Being here outside just means we can spread out as we need to,” Ms Savy said. “So we’ll stay here for a little while until things change.”

For more information on upcoming community choir events visit cocosounds.com.