Dear all,

It was lovely to see so many of you last week; we look forward to seeing others this week.

We are busy preparing to sing for the Law Week preview event coming up VERY SOON (Wed May 11 after work – details below). Some of songs we’ve sung before, so it’s not too much pressure even if you just want to come along on the day and sing one or two songs you may know (e.g. the round: Dona Nobis Pacem).

MUSIC
We’re enjoying some a cappella (unaccompanied) repertoire this term, including pieces we’ve done before which will make it easy for us to put together a short program for Law Week. Here are some links to audio/video files to help you learn the songs:

DONA NOBIS PACEM (with a hard “K” this time!)
https://youtu.be/xCrl4uaE2qI
(apologies for the awful American vowels, but this will at least help you learn the melody)

INANAY:
Audio files: https://soundcloud.com/kathleen_mcguire/sets/inanay-rehearsal-tracks/s-T3fcc

BAMBELELA:
Audio file: https://soundcloud.com/kathleen_mcguire/bambelela/s-0MYtf

SESERE EEYE (from Torres Strait Islands – lots of fun!)
Movement: https://youtu.be/SATEqK2NK5Q
Song: https://youtu.be/J9MpGNIa3BA

TOO BUSY FOR CHOIR? (repeated from last week) Here are 10 reasons why you (or your Bar Association friends/colleagues) should join us:

1) Tons of fun; no pressure; no experience necessary

2) Generally improve your well being: singing helps you relax, lowers blood pressure, lifts your spirits, soothes the soul, improves memory, builds camaraderie, helps you make new friends, improves your self-esteem etc.

3) Learn new skills (it’s like having a singing lesson)

4) Familiar, fun music

5) Too busy? It’s absolutely okay if you have to arrive late or leave early or only come occasionally

6) Bring your lunch with you if you like
7) It’s okay if you don’t read music (eg rehearsal audio files are provided so you can listen to them at home)

8) Don’t be scared of the conductor’s credentials (she’s very friendly and adept at working with groups of people who have variable experience and talents)

9) The choir’s TeamApp is a fantastic tool to use (it’s basically a one-stop, interactive website): https://vicbarchoir.teamapp.com

10. Try Choir before you buy! Come for a couple of weeks to see if you like it.

CHOIR DUES
Want to try out? You may attend for 2 weeks for free to see if Choir is for you! Cost is $120, with March 2016 Bar Readers able to join at no cost during their reading period. Please contact Courney Bow: courtney.bow@vicbar.com.au or complete the form attached here.

LAW WEEK PERFORMANCE
REVISED from last week: we have TWO performances tentatively scheduled for the annual Law Week run by the Victoria Law Foundation:

1) Law Week’s launch event, Wed May 11th. The event will run 6 – 7:30PM at Waldron Hall, County Court.

2) During our regular gathering on Thursday, May 19th, 1-2PM. The Law Foundation is looking for a venue for us close to our usual meeting place. Stay tuned…

CALENDAR UPDATES
To keep track of our activities, you can now link TeamApp to your device’s calendar using this link: https://vicbarchoir.teamapp.com/events/ical.ics?secret=0e013f720a2aa75fcda92b7c42252ae55e6c0a826fab7c34224ee6ab96dce132

COMMUNITY NEWS

THINKING OF YOU, LAURA
Laura Colla, who has been a driving force for the Choir since the beginning, is in mourning along with her family members following the loss of her dear mother. We wish you peace during this difficult time, Laura.

KATHLEEN’S LATEST PROJECTS

NO EXCUSES! – Kathleen’s No Excuses! choir project about family violence was featured on ABC-TV on April 1st. You can watch the program here (music appears in the last few minutes): http://iview.abc.net.au/programs/breaking-the-cycle-family-violence/NS1620H001S00

MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL SINGERS FESTIVAL – Phase 2 of the No Excuses! project will commence with rehearsals next Sunday, 4PM in Sunshine (women only). There are also opportunities for men and women to participate in the Melbourne International Singers Festival generally, working with Kathleen McGuire, Jonathon Welch and visiting from the US: Kirby Shaw. For more information, visit: http://schoolofhardknocks.org.au/sohk/event/melbourne-international-singers-festival-misf/

Have an item to share? Please forward to Kathleen by Monday each week.