Choir sings away blues

FRANKSTON, AUSTRALIA — IF you’ve been looking for an excuse to belt out a few tunes, City Life’s Heartsong singing group may be a fun option.

 

Singing leader Cherie Baxter said the group could benefit people’s wellbeing as well as their singing skills.

 

“There is nothing quite like singing in a group. It perhaps sounds like something that belongs in the past but I don’t believe it does. It’s got such a vital role to play in the social and mental and artistic needs of every day people.”

 

The choir, which began in 2006, is intended to support people living with mental illness.

 

“We have people who come from all over, some as far as St Kilda, and one of the participant recently told me that it was the major event of their week. So I think when you put it in that sort of context it’s like ‘whoa’. It’s not an incidental thing at all. It’s a major anchor and point of reference for a lot of these people’s lives,” Ms Baxter said.

 

Choir member Neil said he loved getting together with others to sing.

 

“It’s like a family to me, as soon as everybody’s together you’re part of it. You feel like you’re part of a group again and everybody is doing what they’re doing. It makes life more interesting, rather than just going home and singing by myself. I mean, that’s lonely.”

 

Heartsong recently performed several songs at Hastings RSL and Ms Baxter said the experience was very rewarding for the group.