We Can All Make Music.

Step by step

 

Setting up a singing circle - how CMV can help

The process is typically quite simple.  We have an initial conversation with you, or the person(s) who want to start-up a group.  During this conversation we'll:

*    Listen to your ideas.

*    Outline our services.

*    Outline the various types of singing groups which are possible (eg, performance-oriented choir, singalong group, etc) and we'll advocate the Vocal Nosh approach.

We will then cover some basic questions and topics with the person(s), such as:

*    Do you know what is already going on in your locality?  Do we?  We will then let you know what we know and / or suggest ways of finding-out about what's happening near you.

*    You may decide to connect with an existing activity or group and make plans together as a community.  In this instance, we would offer facilitation, encouragement, advice and support.

*    Do you have a collection of people around you who are already interested?  If not (or not enough), we can advise you on ways of seeking-out and gathering interested participants to the group.

*    If you decide to go-ahead with setting-up a new group, we can assist you by advocating again for Vocal Nosh-type singing activity which we can practically demonstrate (called a “taster” session).

*    If you require leadership training, we can:

o      Outline the range of skills needed and regular tasks which need to be completed.

o      Advise on leadership, group establishment and sustainability issues.

o      Advise on opportunities for leadership training from CMV and other appropriate sources.

*    If you require a group leader, we can advise on how to find and contract such a person, or find a suitable volunteer.

At this stage in the process, we can assist you through the process of identifying and birthing the leaders within your group.  The leaders will develop a group plan and philosophy.  The amount of involvement we'll have at any of these latter stages will depend entirely on you and your group’s skills.  We can facilitate this process, but we don't control its outcome.  Decisions on direction and the work involved with starting-up and maintaining a new group are the responsibility of the group’s participants and its leaders.

If group leadership skills are available within the group but you'd like some “start-up” assistance, we may be able to lead the first couple of gatherings for you, but you should be mindful that your independence is of utmost importance.  We would expect to find ourselves “leading the leader” when we’re present, but would also expect the leader(s) within the group to “take the helm” reasonably quickly.

Once the group leaders are actually leading the group, we can assist you with on-going leadership training by way of mentoring, shadowing, one-to-one training, more taster sessions, (etc. - refer our Services page for more info), and also with organisational and repertoire issues as they emerge.

Once you're up and running, we'll still be there with more training, song swapping, networking opportunities and a place to turn to if you need advice, counsel or a sounding board.

Oh – and we promise to check-in with you regularly to see how you and your group’s going!

 

Back to top

CMV - making a sound world together.

© Community Music Victoria Inc.