Youth choir in harmony

LEADING a group of some thirty young choristers is no easy task in lockdown, but founder and artistic director of the Bendigo Youth Choir, Valerie Broad, is determined to see her students succeed.

Normally rehearsing each week on a Wednesday evening during the school term, Ms Broad said the choir were “on a roll” before the five statewide lockdowns were announced.

“In 2017, we sang in Carnegie Hall in New York, in 2018 we went to Amiens in France as part of the 100th commemoration of the end of World War I and we sang there and we visited the battlefields,” she said.

“In 2019, it was our 35th anniversary and we had a huge reunion and concert in Bendigo. We were looking forward to 2020.”

A string of remote, online rehearsals ensued, including group Zoom calls and Facebook sessions organised by the choir’s associate director Gail Godber, but now the choir are slowly returning to face-to-face rehearsals after the most recent restrictions were eased.

Ms Broad said “all the possibilities are there” for the choir continue its success, and its members are passionate to continue doing what they love.

“I would hope in the future that we’d be able to give our youngsters the same opportunities that we’ve given them in the years before,” she said.

“We’ve managed to keep the choir together because of the kids loving it so much and wanting to keep it together, and because of the fact that we don’t give up.

“When the going gets tough, the tough get going and we follow that principle.

“I’m hoping with all my heart that it won’t be long before we can meet together as a choir without masks, teach the children, give them back their confidence and take them places so that they can grow and develop as choristers.”

New members are welcome to join the BYC, who meet for rehearsals from 6pm to 8pm at St. Andrews Church Hall on Myers Street.

For more information, contact choir manager Rosalie Rogers via [email protected].