Hello all,
Firstly, many of you will know that we now have a wonderful new piano accompanist – Emma Lippa.
Emma has played with us for the past two weeks and we are loving the music!! A huge welcome to Vocally Wild, Emma, from all of us. Emma and Bill have hit the ground running and, together with our very loyal choir members, they are proving that Vocally Wild has now well and truly bounced back from the past two years or so of uncertainty and is now ‘Up and Singing’ again with joy and confidence.
Emma, who lives locally, has had a stellar career – twenty eight years with the Bolshoi Ballet, twenty years with the Australian Ballet during which times she attained many high awards, travelled extensively and worked with numerous luminaries from the dance world. Her full Profile is on the Vocally Wild website under the dropdown headings “About” or “Home.” Please read this impressive resume of her career – Emma has much more, of course, to tell! There are some delightful photographs there too.
Some flyers will be placed in community areas in the next few days advising that Vocally Wild is well and truly up and singing again and that our membership is currently open for new male and female singers (soprano, alto, tenor, bass/baritone). (See Cherry’s report below).
We are letting people know how much we are enjoying singing with Bill and Emma; that we have a varied repertoire and how we’re looking forward to our exciting concert in October. At present there is no waiting list, so we are encouraging past members, those considering returning, or anyone interested, to come along and try us out. If you would like a flyer to forward on to friends, please let me know on Pat Lowry, or contact Cherry on cherry@cham.com.au
Now here is the latest news. I won’t repeat the Diary dates at this stage as there is no change, apart from:
- confirmation that Connor’s Run will be going ahead on Sunday, 22nd September (10th year) and we will be stationed at the South Melbourne Life Saving Club, Middle Park as we have in more recent times..
- Miranda Turner has confirmed our booking to sing at the SandyBeach Centre during their Friday Afternoon Social Club on 19th August.
However, we do hope soon to be able to put some very special dates in for our Christmas ‘Carols in the Park’ – please all keep your fingers crossed!!
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The A.G.M. went well last Wednesday with a record attendance, as far as I can remember!!! We even had two members attend via telephone! Minutes of the Meeting were sent to all present, but if any choir member wishes to receive the Minutes or the Reports attachments, please let me know on. I’ll send them to you. The Music Director and Membership Secretary reports are, however, shown below.
Thank you to Russel for chairing the meeting and to Sue Beazley who conducted the Election of Office Bearers. We now have two new members, John Barnes and Geoff Peters. Welcome to you both! Sylvia has resigned from the committee but is happy to continue offering her help with greeting visitors and new members and providing their folders. Thank you Sylvia.
The new Committee comprises:
| Russel Barnes: President |
Maggie Cripps: Music Production & Management |
| Julie Serglienko: Treasurer |
Kerry Holmquest: |
| Pat Lowry: Secretary |
John Barlow |
| Cherry Tunnock: Membership Secretary |
Geoff Peters
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Thank you to you all for being part of this busy yet very worthwhile committee for the year ahead.
If you read the Minutes you will note some timely messages regarding the ANZAC Service and March, the thanks to so many people who have assisted during the past year, some remarks on the general direction of the choir, discussion on fees and how we can keep them at the low rate they currently are, and our beautiful old lady Piano, etc. This newsletter would be too long if these were printed here, so do read them if you care to
MUSIC DIRECTOR’S REPORT
VOCALLY WILD INC. ~ Annual General Meeting Report from the Music Director
18th May 2022
It is great to be back into it once again. I wish to report that everything is proceeding noticeably well and according to plan.
The 2021 Christmas Choir presented outstanding performances and were emphatically congratulated for each of them by organisers and audiences alike. A hearty well done to all members involved.
The 2022 ANZAC Service Choir did a fine job and were very deserving of the congratulations bestowed upon them by attendees and the Beaumaris RSL.
Once again this year, I commend the membership for their willingness to follow my guidance and suggestions and willingness to learn new material, techniques and perspectives. Thank you to the committee for managing the ensemble with dedication, diligence, persistence and insight during very difficult times. Special thanks are extended to accompanist Sarah Barnett for her hard work and commitment.
Positive development continues to occur in a range of domains, notably
1) intonation
2) phrasing
3) rhythmic accuracy
4) diction
5) observation of dynamics/volumes
6) balance
7) blend
8) breath control
9) breathing & support techniques
10) music-reading skills.
Please bring a pencil to rehearsals for making annotations on music where requested. This should ensure that everyone is doing the same things(s) at the same place(s).
Dr W. E. (Bill) Miles
MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY’S REPORT – Cherry Tunnock
Vocally Wild has had another difficult 12 months, due to Covid. We had one rehearsal in July, 2021, then had to shut down for the rest of the year. Then we delayed our return in 2022 for one month, which was not ideal, but necessary under the Covid climate.
There are currently 69 fully paid up members. Sadly, for a wide assortment of reasons, 29 members have left the choir over the last 12 months. However, we have acquired eight enthusiastic new members, with 3 more about to join.
I have cleared the Waiting List and it’s been quite a treat to say “Yes” whenever someone enquires about joining Vocally Wild. A first since I became Membership Secretary in 2018.
There are 13 prospective members who have contacted me, expressing interest in trying us. Most of these people are yet to visit a rehearsal, due to being away on holidays, work commitments or getting Covid.
I am not disheartened by the lessening of numbers, as there are constant enquiries about joining and I know, as we are settling into singing again, there is still a lot of interest in people joining choirs.
Thank you to all on the Committee who have assisted me in the peripheral needs of the Membership role.
Vocally Wild Facebook
I have also been looking after the V.W. Facebook page since February, 2022 and try to put in an update every week, usually on a Sunday. I’d be thrilled to receive any ideas or suggestions of content going forward.
FACEBOOK
Reiterating Cherry’s message above - have any of you been viewing Cherry’s Facebook messages lately? They are original, inspiring messages, giving important information together with delightful photographs, so please take a look.
WEBSITE
Communication takes many forms these days, so if you want to find out anything about the choir, its leaders, what’s happening currently, songs to be sung, look at photos/videos, if you wish to practise songs via recordings, see profiles, see Cherry’s Facebook posts, refer friends to the choir; etc. please look up the Vocally Wild website – vocallywild.org.au Years ago Teresa set this website up for us – she did a wonderful job and now we are attempting to make full use of it.. So do give it a go!! Cherry is happy to assist anyone who has forgotten their password!
SONGS FOR REHEARSAL – TUESDAY, 24TH MAY
This information was forwarded recently, via Bill, but it’s repeated here if anyone missed it. Our songs for Tuesday will be – Revisit ‘You’re The Voice’, Finish – ‘Don’t Dream it’s Over, Start – ‘Keep a Dream in Your Pocket’ and Start ‘Leaps and Bounds’.
OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST
- I love to mention concerts by people we have sung with in the past!! David Hobson will be singing with the wonderful Victoria Welsh Choir and Bhan Tre (all female Celtic band) on Sunday, 29th May (2.00 p.m.) at the Elisabeth Murdoch Hall, so if you’re interested, please look up melbournerecitalcentre.com.au Tickets from $80 ($75 concession).
- Another reminder about ‘Let’s Get Loud’ (Sat. 11th and Sun. 12th June) = Gospel, Contemporary, World, Opera, New Works, Rock and More. Join Melbourne International Singers’ Festival for a weekend of amazing vocal workshops with Australia’s finest choral conductors. Enquiries: 0419 337 283 or misf@playitforward.org.au
- Mairi McIntosh, OAM, wrote to us on behalf of John de C Douglas, OAM, thanking Vocally Wild for taking part in the ANZAC Service Wreath and Book Laying at the Beaumaris R.S.L. Mairi advised that the book has been donated to St. Leonard’s College.
Kindest regards,
Pat and Committee
Vocally Wild Choir
Bill Miles (Music Director)
Emma Lippa (Accompanist)
Russel Barnes (President)
Julie Sergienko (Treasurer)
Pat Lowry (Secretary)
Cherry Tunnock (Membership Secretary
Maggie Cripps (Music Production & Management)
John Barlow
Geoff Peters
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