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I think people love to sing, so hopefully they'll get out there and sing together for a good cause.
- Jenny O'Hara
Interest now will help ensure a melodious result when a cappella quartet The Idea of North presents a workshop and concert in Albury on Friday October 23.
Singers are invited to join a choir of 100 people that will practise with the ARIA-winning group in the afternoon and then perform during the second half of the evening concert.
More than 1000 people heard The Idea of North’s blend of jazz, folk, gospel, pop, classical and comedy at a concert in Albury Botanic Gardens last year.
But new to Albury-Wodonga is the additional workshop, organised by the Rotary Club of Albury North, Murray Conservatorium and The Scots School Albury.
Albury North Rotarian Rob Stocker knows exactly what to expect, having attended one of the group’s workshops in Melbourne with wife Joy and granddaughter Bria, then 14.
Dr Stocker said many of the workshop participants had not performed unaccompanied before.
“Certainly Joy, myself and Bria had had no a cappella experience whatsoever and we certainly hadn't done anything like half-tone scale training,” he said. “There were some interesting sounds coming out for a while there."
But The Idea of North quartet managed to guide the singers through.
"The way they did it so quickly and so effectively was fantastic, it was just a great experience," he said.
Murray Conservatorium general manager Jenny O’Hara said the Albury project combined education, entertainment and fundraising for Wewak Street School’s Music-Ability program.
"I think people love to sing, so hopefully they'll get out there and sing together for a good cause," she said. "It's just fun music that anyone can participate in, so you don't have to be the world's best singer to get in there and have a go.”
Ms O’Hara said the workshop aimed to attract all ages, from primary school children to adults.
“In fact it would be a great thing for corporations and families to get involved in, people getting groups of friends together and all coming along," she said. “Singing's a great way for people to connect with each other.”
Bookings for the workshop and/or performance open on September 1 at trybooking.com/INGH.
