Vocally Wild Newsletter July-August 2025

Vocally Wild Choir news Vocally Wild Choir 2025 Spring Concert Sunday 31 August Beaumaris Hall Concert starts 2pm Preparations are building up now for our popular annual concert, which will be the third at our new home at the Beaumaris Hall. The last two have been really lovely events, with close to full houses for both. Some concert goss: online bookings are now essential (no cash sales at the door), so we can better manage the seating and catering, and simplify the meet-and-greet in the foyer supper will again be served in the small hall, with sandwiches supplemented by home cooked goodies from members – one of the most popular features of the concert – please donate your specialties  the concert layout for the choir is the same as we've used (deliberately) for our rehearsals this year, so it's all settled and familiar the consistent layout also means we will have the audio system fine-tuned, and our sound man Peter will be on hand to assist Russel and Richard get the best sound on the day the Hall is in good nick after some very welcome and timely TLC from Bayside Council, with flash new stage curtains, larger lockable storage cupboards for our gear, new chair trolleys – and a defibrillator our versatile treasurer, Jane Mercuri, will be MC for the concert, although it comes at some cost – she won't have time to make her award-winning scones on the day. The promotional flyers for the concert are now available. Please send them on to all your friends and family and networks, and advise them to book early.   A4 colour posters will be available at Derek's table every rehearsal – if you know of community noticeboards in your neighbourhood, take a poster to stick up.  Vocally Wild Community Carols Concert and singalong Sunday 21 December Beaumaris Hall Concert starts 5.00pm New last year, but already promising to become a community favourite, the Community Carols at Beaumaris features some Christmas specials from the choir plus the chance for everyone to relax and sing along to all the favourites. There will be a small charge to cover costs this year, with online bookings.  We are again delighted to be able to showcase young local talent at the event. Rob McLachlan has arranged with Sarah Ferguson from St Leonards for Will Evans, another fine singer completing Year 12, to be our soloist. That's Will pictured above in the Cinderella production with Holly Lambeth – who happens to be Pat Lowry's grand-daughter. Obviously in the DNA. Music Program for Term 4 Starting Tuesday 7 October After the challenge of the Spring Concert, we all relax and have a busy but cruisy run through to Christmas in Term 4.  We start preparing for the two lots of carols (Bayside Carols at Dendy Park, and our own Vocally Wild Community Carols in the Beaumaris Hall), polishing our featured Christmas songs (such as The Hallelujah Chorus) as well as getting harmonies right for the favourite carols. We'll also start learning some new songs with a popular flavour and not too demanding, including: Here Comes the Sun My GIrl/Guy Just the Way You Are Mr Sandman. All this joy and frivolity makes Term 4 the ideal time for new singers to join Vocally Wild – easy to learn the songs, and straight into the special thrill of performing for squillions with fireworks on the big stage at Bayside, followed by the fun and friendship of singing along with the locals in Beaumaris hall. What a deal! This year we will step up our promotion for new members to start in Term 4 on October 7, so it's a good time to bribe or cajole those neighbours and friends and spouses and offspring who still don't know what they're missing. 'Tis the season to be bending elbows. Vocally Wild Open Night Special Rehearsal, Tuesday 14 October Beaumaris Hall To set Term 4 off with a bang, in the second week we are opening up a special rehearsal to anyone who wants to come along and try singing with our choir. We are making a special push to attract more men (some have even proposed that we intoduce quotas!) to improve our vocal balance. We will target our advertising and publicity at all those places undiscovered tenors and basses tend to hang out. Don't ask. This event will also be publicised as part of Bayside's Healthy Ageing Seniors Festival in October.  Vocally Wild Committee 2025 Report from the AGM Following the very welcome attendance of 20-odd members at our inaugural "AGM in the Round" in May, we now boast an enlarged committee and more people in helper roles around the Committee. The team President – Clint Smith Secretary – Rose Olson (new)   Treasurer – Jane Mercuri Membership – Derek Skues Music – Jill Callaghan (new, sort of) Continuing general members – John Barlow, Russel Barnes, Edwina McLachlan  New general members –  Richard Lovell, Glynis Tudor, Stepen Wilding Richard is learning the ropes for setting up the audio system to support Russel. Remarkably, he has also documented it all in an illustrated manual – ask to see his etchings some time. Sue Hardy joins Rob McLachlan on the Music Group this year (with Jane, Clint and Jill from Committee). The group meets with Bill quarterly to select the next songs for the choir. Pat Lowry keeps our Facebook happening.  Then there's a longish list of freinds and supporters who help out at different times with setting up chairs, organising suppers, mentoring new members and generally helping make the choir a good place to be. Take a bow. Congratulations to the crew for keeping such a big choir rattling along in good spirits, and our collective thanks for the time they put into it. We have agreed to have another meeting in the round in the hall at the end of the year, unencumbered by elections, so we can get on and talk about life and the universe. Queen Symphony Grainger Wind Symphony 30 August 2025 IWAKI Auditorium Southbank $40/$30 A dozen or so members of Vocally Wild will be joining the Southern Voices and other community choir singers in this very special performance. The Pat Lowry Minstrels have found the music very challenging, but it's always exciting to be on the bigger stage with a wind symphony orchestra and a talented choir.  Still no too late (but almost) to see the error of your ways and join in for the two remaining rehearsals and the performance. Talk to Pat. Good warm up for the Spring Concert the next day? Seats to attend the event limited, but still available at last check. Summary of dates   2025                 Term 3 Tue 22 Jul First rehearsal Term 3                         7.30–9.30pm         Beaumaris Community Centre                             Sat 3 Aug VW Spring Concert 2.00pm Beaumaris Community Centre Sat 30 Aug Queen Symphony  tbc IWAKI, Southbank Tue 16 Sep  Final rehearsal Term 3 7.30–9.30pm Beaumaris Community Centre   Term 4 Tue 7 Oct First rehearsal Term 4 7.30–9.30pm Beaumaris Community Centre Tue 14 Oct VW Open Rehearsal 7.30–9.30pm Beaumaris Community Centre Tue 2 Dec Last rehearsal Term 4 (Open Mic) 7.30–9.30pm Beaumaris Community Centre Tue 9 Dec Bayside Carols tbc Dendy Park Brighton     Sun 21 Dec VW Community Carols 5.00–6.30pm Beaumaris Community Centre Vocally Wild teaching resources Vocal tracks for Questions (There is a piece of glass) The voice tracks for each part of Questions are now available (with all the others) in the Song Library. There is also a new composite track of all three voices, so an SAB version to practise holding your part.  Here are the steps once again: Go to the Vocally Wild homepage (at www.vocallywild.org) and click to go to the MEMBERS area (log on if needed): In the Members Area click to open the Song Library   What's a performance choir? People have asked what is meant by describing Vocally Wild as a "performance choir". Bill suggests checking an article by John Daniels titled The Differences Between Show Choir and Concert Choir. It's published on LinkedIn. If you are a member you'll be able to view it. If you're not, and you'd like copy, email Clint on learnwks@bigpond.net.au  What's on Great news, with Charlotte into the semi-finals of this prestigious competition. We all wish her well. Read all about it here.  Jazzeoke Kingston Town Hall Monthly (6 Aug 6th, 10 Sep 10) Confirming the south-east as the musical hub of Melbourne, big band fans can now do their thing and singalong to all the jazz standards. Right in our hood. This sounds too good to miss. Details at jazzeoke.com. Worth organising a VW group booking, anyone?