You can’t stop the music

The Docklands community choir project may be over, but the singing won’t stop there.

The group behind the choir project, Open Door Singers, last month announced the choir would be continuing in Docklands as Open Door Singers Docklands.

Open Door Singers musical director and conductor Shaun Islip said the initial eight-week project had been a great success and had created enough momentum for the choir to continue.

“The eight-week project was a roaring success,” Mr Islip said. “It’s created a self-sustaining and rapidly growing choir.”

Over the course of the choir project about 40 Docklands locals have joined the group, while a further 20 from other areas have also regularly attended.

The 60-strong choir performed together for the first time in public to a packed house at The Hub on June 17.

“From the moment that the choir began singing I, and many others there, were overwhelmed by the quality and volume of the sound produced,” Mr Islip said.

“I could not have been more proud of everyone and it is my great honour and joy to continue as conductor of Open Door Singers Docklands as we now set our sails for all that lies ahead in the future.”

The initial eight-week choir project was held at the Library at the Dock and was free for participants due to the support of The City of Melbourne.

Following the conclusion of the project, choir participants will be asked to pay an annual membership fee of $75 and $6 per rehearsal attendance.

The group is also looking to start a sponsorship program to allow people who may not be able to afford the membership fees to participate.

“We offer a warm welcome to anyone who interested in joining the choir,” Mr Islip said.

“Anyone is welcome, you don’t need any experience and there are no auditions.”

Mr Islip said he was confident the Docklands choir would grow.

He called on the example of the Open Doors Singers choir in Camberwell, which started with 50 people and has now grown to over 300 members.

“My aim and hope is to unite the Docklands community in song and provide a place of warm and welcome,” Mr Islip said.

The group has already been asked to perform at a number of events, including the 180th Melbourne Day celebrations in Docklands on August 30.

Open Door Singers Docklands gathers at the Hub in Docklands each Wednesday from 5.45pm to 7pm.

For more information about Open Door Singers visit http://www.opendoorsingers.org.au