“I have an absolute ball, it’s a real joy, fantastic fun and open-hearted, so I’d encourage everyone to give it a go.” Kylie Whyte is leading the ‘Sing Out’ community singing sessions on Thursdays at 7.30pm – 9pm at the Geelong West Town Hall. Everyone is welcome, so please share this post and spread the word.
Sing Out Geelong Inc. has organised the sessions because it felt there was a gap in community singing opportunities in which performing to audiences is not the major focus. “We wanted to create something open and accessible to all ages and abilities. It’s about getting together and singing for sheer enjoyment,” enthuses President Sue Buchan.
“It also gets people away from screens and helps those who feel isolated. It could even be a relaxing outlet for commuters to unwind.”
Kristin Demetrious, the group’s secretary, continues, “Like many others, I felt like there was something missing in my life. Lots of us grew up singing in schools every day or at church, but this may no longer be the case. This is fun, low key, easy to fit into the weekly routine and it’s a really lovely way of connecting with the local community.
“Also, the Sing Out Sessions are almost carbon neutral – you don’t have to buy anything or bring anything apart from your voice, which is refreshing. We hold the sessions in the Supper Room of the historic Geelong West Town Hall. Being local, my friends and I walk here, with others coming by bike or bus. It’s so important to activate these terrific community spaces.”
The group is thankful to the City of Greater Geelong for a Creative Communities grant which has enabled it to employ the talented, experienced and vibrant Kylie.
“Kylie works beautifully with a huge diversity of singing abilities,” the third member of Sing Out Geelong, Rosemary Nugent, adds. “It’s all about challenging our perceptions of our voice. We’ll be singing everything from folk, to soul, to pop in a fun and informal way.
“For our first Session there were 26 attendees and the week after almost double, so word is getting out. There is obviously an appetite for these singing sessions which are full of lots of laughter and fun.”
To join ‘Sing Out’ pop on down to the Geelong West Town Hall on Thursdays for a 7.30pm start and enjoy! Sessions cost $5 and will run throughout 2020 during school terms. Enquiries: singoutgeelong@outlook.com
Story: Jacqui Bennett. Photo: Phil Hines of the Sing Out team.
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