Hello everyone,
It's so good to be back at choir and a very warm welcome is extended to you all, including our accompanist, Sarah Barnett and three new members. We hope you have a happy and rewarding time with Vocally Wild.
Last Tuesday's rehearsal was busy, productive and sounded wonderful by all accounts. Bill is very pleased with how things are coming along and he thanks everyone for their attentiveness, focus and fine attitude. Our Covid-safe systems seem to be working and as we navigate the weeks ahead, we trust that everyone remains safe and cared for.
Sarah's profile is posted on the vocally Wild website, but briefly Sarah is a local from Sandringham, she holds a B.Ed. Music (Piano Major) and has taught piano privately and in classrooms. Sarah has also spent many years in the U.S.A. and in Caribbean nations. She performs professionally on the Caribbean Steel Pan and has much experience in this field, founding and directing the Caribbean community of Victoria's Steel Pan Band. Do read her full and interesting profile on the website. Go to drop down menu ABOUT and then CHOIR DIRECTOR when you get an opportunity.
We're very happy with our newly acquired piano - soon, thanks to Russel, it will have new wheels, for ease of movement, and have a re-tune (it had one earlier this month, but a second is normal for elderly pianos). May we also say a big thank you to Rob Tunnock who is our new Choir Roadie! Rob comes early each week to assist Russel with all our equipment set up. We are very grateful. Also, thank you to all of you who help set up and put away the equipment and chairs, at the end of the evening. It's quite a task.
As you know Term 1 had to be delayed by four weeks, so we wll need our skates on in preparation for the ANZAC commitments. More on this below.
We have plenty of news, so here goes ... first, some Diary Dates:
| DATE |
DETAIL |
| Tuesday, 12th April |
Last rehearsal for Term 1 |
| Sunday, 24th April |
ANZAC Parade and Service (from 1 p.m.) |
| Tuesday, 26th April |
Choir Term 2 commences, normal rehearsal |
| Wednesday, 18th May |
Vocally Wild A.G.M. |
| Tuesday, 21st June |
Last rehearsal for Term 2 |
| Sunday, 26th June |
Tentative date for V.W. Concert, B.T. Hall |
| Tuesday, 12th July |
Choir Term 3 commences, normal rehearsal |
| Tuesday, 13th September |
Last rehearsal for Term 3 |
ANZAC DAY PARADE AND SERVICE
BEAUMARIS RSL COMMUNITY ANZAC COMMEMORATIVE MARCH & SERVICE
SUNDAY, 24TH APRIL, 2022
ASSEMBLY 2:15PM
Beaumaris Concourse Green, Reserve Road, Beaumaris
FALL IN 2:30PM
STEP OFF 2:45PM
SERVICE 3:00PM
BEAUMARIS MEMORIAL COMMUNITY CENTRE, FORECOURT and CENOTAPH
96 Reserve Road, Beaumaris
WET WEATHER ROUTINE
In the event of inclement weather the service will be moved indoors. Afternoon Tea and Refreshments to follow at Beaumaris Bowls Club
Next week, after the tea break, we will commence rehearsals for this annual event which we always love attending. Cherry will provide a sheet for names of those who will be singing, so we can ascertain seating numbers, etc. Please could you complete this in the next two weeks? Thank you. If you are not able to attend and don’t want to join in the rehearsals of the songs for the Service, you are of course welcome to leave after or at tea break.
Hopefully our new members will decide to come along as it is a wonderful community event to take part in. Maggie will have all the relevant music available. It is the Army’s turn this year turn to conduct the service - the songs/hymns will be:
The Recessional (God of our Fathers),
O God Our Help in Ages Past,
I Vow to Thee My Country,
I am Australian
My Country,
N.Z. and Australian National Anthems.
Vocally Wild will donate $60 to Beaumaris RSL for tthe purchhase of book/s for the Wreath - Book Laying Ceremony. (The books are generally given to local schools.) Bill or Russel will present the gift on our behalf.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING – WEDNESDAY, 18TH MAY
The Vocally Wild AGM will take place in the Beaumaris Tennis Clubrooms (next to our rehearsal hall) at 7.30 p.m. on 18th May when one of the main items on the Agenda will be the election of our choir committee. There are two extra places vacant, so please give it some thought and consider becoming a member yourself or nominating somebody; we would be more than pleased to hear from you. More detail to follow.
BAYSIDE GRANT FOR CONCERT – SUNDAY, 26TH JUNE
We have received a $1,000 grant from Bayside Council which is to be used to plan and present a community concert to showcase Vocally Wild ‘in recovery’ after Covid and to introduce young local musical talent to the community.
Brighton Town Hall has been tentatively booked for this date (we’re familiar with this venue for concerts) and an afternoon timeslot, 2.30 p.m. is planned, followed by afternoon tea (and scones?!!) We have already started learning some of the pieces for our repertoire and we’ll no doubt have the usual fun and excitement during our preparation for this event later in June. More to follow of course, but it’s wonderful to have something to plan for.
MEMBERSHIP
We have 71 paid up members with up to 7 possible newcomers. However, we can now open up our ‘Waiting List’ so if you have any friends or family who may wish to join us, do let them know. They can come along for a ‘visit’ during our Tuesday rehearsals – Maggie has made up Visitor Folders for their use. Contact is easily made via our Website or via Cherry direct, or any committee member.
Please note Cherry’s item below:
Vocally Wild Choir database information
Have you visited your personal page in the Vocally Wild database lately? Do any of your details need updating?
We now have a new COVID19 section which we’d appreciate you completing as follows:
Below your name, click on Update member details.
Click the COVID19 tab and enter your vax details.
Then click Save (down the bottom).
If you’ve forgotten your Login or need any further assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact Cherry Tunnock at
Please also check that your email, phone and emergency contact details are correct. Thank you. Also, while we are talking about Members:
- Our good friends and loyal V.W. choristers for many years, now retired, Ken and Heather have sent this message: "Thanks for heartwarming messages. We are missing the enjoyment of choir and singing with you and want to convey our thanks to all of the choir for over 12 years of singing."
- Lesley Winning, our tireless and enthusiastic community member, is now on the Board at Pets of the Homeless and a volunteer at the Lort Smith Pet Therapy Programme. Lesley is no longer a Board Member at Family Life, but continues to support this wonderful organisation.
COVID SAFETY MEASURES
With the likely increase in Covid infections because of a new strain, we feel it important that we continue our vigilance and follow health and safety guidelines as far as possible, for example - doors to be left open, masks optional, bottles of hand sanitiser readily available, distancing re chairs, etc. and we do ask that if you are not well, or have any symptoms at all, in the interests of everyone, please don't attend choir.
MUSIC
If you are thinking of rehearsing our songs at home, this is a reminder that practice recordings, in parts and together, of many of our current songs are on the website. For example, our new song 'A Place in the Choir', plus Bridge Over Troubled Waters', 'Jerusalem Morning', 'Long and Winding Road', etc. are all there. Go to the website, pull down the Members list, then go to Songs. Easy, and the recordings are very helpful - just have your folder, look at the words and music and listen and sing along to your part. Fun too!!
A list of all the songs we are currently learning, plus the ANZAC ones, is posted on the website, under ABOUT, then "Have a Listen"!
MORE MUSIC OUT AND ABOUT
- Did you happen to read Tony Way's article in the Age on 22nd February, 2022 - entitled "Marvellous Tchaikovsky fundraiser?" He was referring to the Melbourne Recital Centre's annual Tchaikovsky Marathon. Bill's daughter Charlotte took part and Tony Way's comments were, "Young cellist,Chalotte Mies, embraced the elegant restraint and good humour of the variations on a Rococo Theme with assured technique and honeyed tone." Well done to Charlotte, what a brilliant career ahead!.
- Who could forget MIRUSA and her wonderful rehearsal and performance with us at Carols in the Park? Under What's On at the Arts Centre you'll find she is performing as Special Guest for Tenor MARK VINCENT's concert at Hamer Hall on 1st May. They will be performing musical hits from London's West End to Broadway. Go to www.artscentremelbourne.com.au to book.
- Also in May, another wonderful artist we have performed with, David Hobson, joins the Victoria Welsh Choir to perform once again at the Elisabeth Murdoch Hall, M.R.C. in the St. David's Day Concert on Sunday, 29th May, 2.00 p.m. For further information contact enews@melbournerecital.com.au or www.melbourner.om.au
- Janet Bassett-Smith has forwarded information (via her friend and ex-choir member Jennifer Coghlan Bell) about forthcoming concerts at St. Andrew's Church, Brighton,. The next one will be on 22nd May - Johann Sebastian Bach's Musical and Spiritual Odyssey - Dr. Calvin Bowman, Organ. A short lecture and complete performance of Bach's great masterpiece which is based on Luther's Catechism. See more detail regarding this and other concerts throughout the year on - www.standrewsbrighton.org.au
- MoJo - Mordialloc Jazz Orchestra - Big Band Sunsets. These have already started! For further informatiion contact publicity@mojoswingcom.au or google Mordialloc Jazz Orchestra.
AND ANOTHER THING!
- Our choir belongs to A.N.C.A. (Australian National Choral Association). The magazine "Sing Out" is now being delivered on line, so if you are interested, Vol. 39, No. 1 is now available. If you would like me to forward you a copy, please let me know.
- Bayside Healthy Ageing. Bayside Council is committed to supportting older residents to participate, contribute and connect with a sense of belonging to the Bayside community and their Healthy Ageing Team is undertaking a survey to better understand how to support people 55+ years to 'age well'. The survey will take about 10 minutes, so if you would like to take part, please contact www.surveymonkey.com/r/HealthyAgeingBayside2022
- Ukraine and Floods. The world and local news is so devastating at the moment. If you feel the need to donate, here are some links to reliable organisations:
- www.unrefugees.org.au/donate
- www.redcross.org.au
- Maggie's Maggie and Moggie!! If you can, look at this - it's amazing. VID-20200524-WA0000.mp4
Take care everyone. See you next Tuesday.
Looks as though we'll be rehearsing:
'Jerusalem Morning'
'Lean on Me'
'This Little Light of Mine'
plus a couple of our ANZAC items.
Enjoy!
Pat
Bill Miles (Music Director)
Sarah Barnett - (Accompanist)
Russel Barnes (President)
Julie Sergienko (Treasurer)
Pat Lowry (Secretary)
Cherry Tunnock (Membership Secretary
Maggie Cripps (Music Production & Management)
Sylvia Ring
Kerry Holmquest
Website address: www.vocallywild.org.au |
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