find YOUR voice!

Welcome to the very first "Find A Voice" blog; a place where we can talk about how YOU can find the voice you know you have, but haven't quite connected with yet. So many people have untapped talents which are only enjoyed by the bathroom when they're in the shower! I'm really interested in igniting a passion for singing and give people opportunities to develop and use their own unique voice in a setting which is fun and exciting and most importantly not scary! MCChoir aims to provide a means of allowing people to be part of something bigger than themselves and create musical experiences which are enjoyed by audiences in our community and beyond. Unlike solo performance, a choir is about listening to the people around you and blending together to form a united sound which is a great way of approaching singing. It allows us to grow in our vocal without standing out like a sore thumb, because we have the support of everyone around us.

Last week I was rehearsing some material in the car for an Anzac Day Concert I will be participating with the Choral institute of Melbourne. At the traffic lights the car next to me had his window down and could obviously hear me enjoying singing a great arrangement of Waltzing Matilda! I was met with boisterous comments of "beautiful" and lots of thumbs up, hand waving and smiles when they finally got my attention. I just wish I had a flyer handy for the concert to give them! Fact is those guys saw something that made them respond. Isn't that what performance is all about - engaging with your audience and creating something memorable for the listener as well as the artist.

Isn't that what performance is all about - engaging with your audience and creating something memorable for the listener as well as the artist.

I've always enjoyed being part of choirs and vocal ensembles throughout my life and I don't think life would be anywhere near as rewarding if I wasn't using my giftings in a group like that. Not only do I feel a sense of community, my stress levels are managed, my breathing is improved but I have a stronger speaking voice that doesn't wear out by Friday afternoon. Having taught secondary school science and having to use my voice constantly, whilst competing with a class room full of energetic students, I know what it is to put my vocal chords through the ringer. I recall one experienced teacher commenting to me "why haven't you lost your voice yet" when all of the other first year teachers were feeling hoarse. I put it down to knowing how to maintain good vocal health and part of that is good hydration, gentle morning warm-ups vocal exercises and singing regularly in a group to keep my voice ready for whatever it's needed for. In fact tonight I'm going to a Vocal Health Professional Development workshop for "World Voice Day" sponsored by the Australian Voice Association (AVA). Perhaps we can talk about that in another blog post.

If your considering the benefits of belonging to a contemporary and relevant choir with opportunities to perform and get to know other people, I would encourage you to click the fill out the 'expression of interest form' on the Join MCChoir page and we will let you know about our first rehearsal which will be coming up soon . It going to be in the form of a MCChoir Vocal Workshop taster. This will allow you to experience the choir and see if the group is something you would enjoy and like to be a part of as a Foundation Member. You don't have to read music or be John Farnham or Olivia Newton John - We'll help you be the best voice you can be and that takes time.

Jase Simmonds
(Creative Director Melbourne Contemporary Choir - MCChoir)

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