Vocally Wild Newsletter Feb-Mar 2026

Choir News New songs The Music Group has confirmed an exciting list of new songs for this year's repertoire. You can check it out on the website. Music Coordinator Jill Callaghan is organising copies for everyone as we speak. Thanks to the group for their tireless and often thankless work, barely stopping for tea and cakes while working late into the night to choose the songs. Current members are Bill Miles, Jill Callaghan, Sue Hardy, Jane Mercuri, Rob McLachlan and Clint Smith.  It ain't easy. Their job is to find a selection of songs which are: good to sing! available in SATB arrangements with piano parts (essential) affordable (we have to pay for the rights to print) offer good arrangements with strong choral features (usually from well-known choral arrangers) together cover a balanced range of the Vocally Wild repertoire, from contemporary pop to classical choral likely to provide a variety of mood and feeling suitable for the structure of our choir (notably low on numbers for basses and tenors) keeps most of the members happy most of the time ?. In the process they will use whatever they can  –  previous VW songs, member surveys and suggestions, songs other choirs sing, something heard on the radio, songs from Bill's extensive library of charts, personal favourites, and inspirations over a Glenfiddich or two. Good research, listening and googling skills are required. Arm wrestling experience can be handy when there are differences of opinion about pieces. You'll also see the list of "singalong" items drawn from our earlier programs. Because most of the choir will be familar with the arrangements, we can usually sing them through cold and carry the parts without Bill having to work on them. During term 1 we'll get high on one of these at the start and one at the end of the sessions so we feel good about life. Here's hoping this year's offering hits the spot. If you have a great idea for a song, chat to anyone in the group, preferably with a link to an SATB arrangement they can look at ? New songsters Our rock star recruits of 2025 have told us what they like about the choir. "Vocally Wild isn't just a choir; it's a vibrant, supportive, and extremely professional community that makes performing feel effortless and exhilarating." Blimey. Soak it all up and have a nice indulgent gloat here. Our thanks to Andrew and Kendra for taking the time to Tell All, and for bringing their special vitality and joy to the choir. The Committee is also debating a performance bonus for Derek Skues, recently annointed by Bill as "the world's greatest Membership Secretary". Diary dates 2026 Term 1 March Wed 18 VW Committee 7.30–9.30pm tba Tue 31 Last rehearsal term 1 7.30–9.30pm Beaumaris Hall Term 2 April Sun 19 ANZAC Day Service tba Beaumaris Reserve Tue 21 First rehearsal term 2 Open forum? Beaumaris Hall Tue 28 VW  AGM 6.30–7.30pm Beaumaris Hall Jun Tue 23 Last rehearsal term 2 7.30–9.30pm Beaumaris Hall Tue 30 FoV extra rehearsal? tbc tbc Term 3 July Fri 3– 6 Festival of Voices Choir FoV program various, Hobart Tue 14 First rehearsal term 3 7.30–9.30pm Beaumaris Hall September Sat 12 VW Spring Concert 2.00pm Beaumaris Hall Tue 15 Last rehearsal term 3 7.30–9.30pm Beaumaris Hall Term 4 October Tue 6 First rehearsal term 4 7.30–9.30pm Beaumaris Hall Tue 13 VW Open Rehearsal 7.30–9.30pm Beaumaris Hall November Tue 3 No rehearsal (Cup Day) Fri 27 Community Xmas Singalong tba Beaumaris Concourse December Tue 1 Last rehearsal: Open Mic 7.30–9.30pm Beaumaris Hall Tue 8 Bayside Carols 7.00pm Dendy Park Tue 15 VW Carols rehearsal 7.30–9.30pm Beaumaris Hall Sun 20 VW Community Carols 5.00–6.30pm Beaumaris Hall (tbc)