Raise your voice

Whether you have the voice of an angel or prefer to contain your warbling to the shower, you’re invited to take part in a community singing project at the Library at the Dock, beginning this month.

The eight-week project is being run by Open Door Singers, with the support of City of Melbourne, and aims establish the foundations for an ongoing choir in Docklands.

A not-for-profit organisation, Open Door Singers also hopes to unite Docklands’ residential and business community in song.

Open Door Singers director and professional conductor Shaun Islip said the project would allow people from diverse backgrounds and cultures to find their voice and experience the joy of singing in a choir.

“The choir is open to everyone, no auditions required,” Mr Islip said. “There will be lots of laughter and learning, friendship and fun.”

Open Door Singers vice president Lynn Grantham was one of the founding members of the first Open Doors community singers choir, based in Camberwell, which has around 250 members.

She said community singing was a great medium for people to connect with each other.

“What we’ve seen is people derive pleasure not only from singing itself by from forming friendships, getting to know other people and feeling like they’re part of something that’s outside of themselves,” Ms Grantham said.

“All of us would say that when we come together and sing we discover something within ourselves that we didn’t know was there.”

“We also see people’s confidence and self-esteem lift. Not only through weekly rehearsals but we also perform regularly. We’re excited to put together a performance at the end of this project,” Ms Grantham said.

She said Open Door Singers was also excited to rehearse at the Library at the Dock.

“We’re very privileged and excited to rehearse and perform in a fabulous venue. The Library at the Dock performance centre is first class and we can’t wait to make the most of that facility.”

Ms Grantham said the organisation believed the by the end of the eight-week program there would be significant momentum to allow the choir to continue on a self-funding basis.

“Through the generous support of the City of Melbourne, rehearsals for the first eight weeks are free. Thereafter, on an ongoing basis, there is a small rehearsal fee and a small yearly membership fee.”

Rehearsals begin at the Library at the Dock on April 14 and will be held weekly on Tuesday evenings from 5.45pm to 7.30pm.

“Come along, have fun and find your voice,” Ms Grantham said.