Canberra Men's Choir provides 'awesome fellowship' for men who have never sung before

ABC NEWS (Australia)

Singing in public might sound daunting to some, but for a group of men in Canberra joining a choir has become a source of fellowship and purpose. The group has no audition requirements and for many members it's their first experience performing.

Transcript

00:00These men are savouring the spotlight, but for many, singing is a passion they've found

00:14later in life.

00:15I'd rather be in the coffin or something instead of singing in front of people, but I'm not

00:20quite as bad as that now.

00:22The Canberra Men's Choir has been entertaining crowds for almost four decades.

00:27I saw a Facebook ad which said no audition required and I thought, well this sounds perfect.

00:33And I came along with knocking knees, great trepidation.

00:37The group rehearses every week, comprised of 40 men from a range of backgrounds.

00:46We get men who've been wanting to sing in a choir for 50 years and then they come along

00:51here and they find everyone really inclusive and really welcoming.

00:56For 82-year-old Mal Barnett, learning to hit the right notes is only part of the appeal.

01:02If you don't play golf or you're not a bowler or you're not interested in footy or anything

01:06like that, you can become sort of trapped in your own environment and you become sort

01:11of lost, whereas with a choir it gives you a purpose.

01:15An ability to read sheet music isn't necessary.

01:19I'm vision impaired, I can't even read music now.

01:24All my participation in the choir is orally, through my ears.

01:29While the choir skews towards retirees, it's struck a chord with some younger members.

01:35Really it's for all ages, it's a tenor bass choir so your voice needs to have broken but

01:39other than that it's fine.

01:41It's just awesome fellowship, it really is fun.

01:44Offering camaraderie and connection and a chance to take centre stage.

01:54For more UN videos visit www.un.org

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