SINGALONG! M
ost of us can only sit at home and dream of having the talent to sing on a show like Friday's Singalong! group with Patricia Coles on guitar. The Voice but everyone, regardless of ability, has the chance to sing at Kenilworth. The Kenilworth The emergence of the COVID pandemic in 2020 made it difficult and district Singalong! happens every Friday morning in the to get a new group activity such as Singalong! off the ground but Kenilworth Arts Council building behind the town library. the idea finally came to fruition. The group is the ideal outlet for anyone who has the urge to “I said the only way to do it was to keep it simple, so there’s no big sing but not necessarily the confidence, talent or experience to let admin. We put notices around Kenilworth to say we were starting the their voice be heard anywhere beyond the shower. group,” Patricia said. Patricia Coles said anyone who wanted to sing, or anyone who “I think there would have been 15-20 at the beginning and most of played an instrument, was welcome to join in. those have remained. There are others who come and there are some “We have made it clear that it’s not a choir. It’s informal. We walk who have left town, as some people do.” in and we sing some songs. There’s a number of people who are very Patricia said about eight to 10 members of a core group usually good singers who have got repertoires. However, we break it up to fronted while others floated in and out depending upon their show off the learners as well,” she said. availability. The group began in January 2021 after some tapping of the “Some of them have never done anything musical before. We have glass by the Kenilworth Arts Council. a couple of good singers and some of us might play an instrument. “The Arts Council had been talking about starting something like It’s a mixture of people. It’s a good social atmosphere, as well as the it for some time because people had been asking for it for a couple singing. It’s a good, friendly group. Sometimes we sound absolutely of years,” Patricia said. horrible – off key, out of time, out of pitch – and other times it comes together really well.” Patricia said the aim of the group was to provide an opportunity for everyone to enjoy the fellowship of singing together. She said members all got a turn at choosing what to sing and 5.30am-6pm Mon-Sat suggestions were welcome. She hunts up the music and lyrics and 7am-6pm Sunday screens them for everyone to see using an overhead projector. “There’s about 420 songs that I’ve got on the overhead projector at this stage,” she said. Newsagency and Many of the members are of retirement age or above so there is BP Reliance Fuels & Oils a leaning in song choice towards hits of the ‘60s and ‘70s but also older classics. Edelweiss, Bye Bye Blackbird, the Beach Boys’ Sloop John B, Neil Young, Powderfinger plus songs of the Beatles, the Bee Gees, Neil Diamond and John Denver are also on the list. GREAT WEEKLY Patricia plays guitar but members of the Hot Curri ukulele SPECIALS group and other musicians also join in sometimes. Singers break for a cuppa about half-way through and Groceries & Deli sometimes bring a plate to share. Freshest Fruit & Veg “You might get there and meet up with people you know or people Plus • Gifts you don’t know. It’s a social occasion. People are brought together by • Firewood singing and become better singers,” Patricia said. Annie Ryan, 61, of Conondale, did not know anyone in • Bait & Ice Kenilworth when she went along to Singalong! last year after • Camping Gear seeing a notice about it on social media. • BP Fuel + Oil “I love singing. I used to be in a choir when I was at school and now • Eftpos & ATM that I’m retired, I thought it would be a really fun thing to do. Singing is good for the soul,” she said. Annie said that the gold coin entry was affordable for everyone and it was hard to beat the value as a social outing. “I didn’t know anyone and now I’ve met all these lovely people in Kenilworth,” she said. “It’s just really friendly and nice, and sometimes a few of us go for lunch at Nana McGinn’s afterwards.” 100 YABBA ROAD, IMBIL Q4570. PH 5484 5210 Annie was even invited to learn ukulele through the group and info@imbilfriendlygrocer.net.au can now accompany the singers. Brian Browning, 72, a regular at Singalong! for about a year, said “I used to be in the Buderim Male 2500x FREE Choir but it stopped and I couldn’t A4 COPIES PRINTED. see myself going back anyway. I’ve MVV Editor jillguldbransen@gmail.com 1900x mailbox always had an interest in singing direct. Rest are 0456 253 698 • 07 5494 9619 so I got involved. It’s really for by ten writ s year bulk drops. the community enjoyment. It’s just the singing and for the community. the conversation, just getting out there and sharing stories.” MONDAY 4 JULY for #7 MVV 13 JULY 2022 Anyone interested in Singalong! Website issues issuu.com/maryvalleyvoice or playing an instrument there, is Mary Valley Community News Assoc. Inc., publishers of The Mary Valley Voice since 1991, reserves the right to refuse inappropriate welcome to turn up on the morning advertising and submissions for both print and website, and any opinions expressed in any published advertisements or submissions or call 0408 686 800. does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Association or its Editor. It also reserves the right to determine what is inappropriate for publication purposes. • ABN 61 781 267 568 • Mary Valley Community News Assoc Inc, PO Box 158, Kenilworth Q 4574 By Janine Hill, MVV journalist.
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