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Some practical approaches to the development of group singing
Here are some examples of initiatives that have helped to strengthen a group singing culture in local communities:
- Augmenting regular local musical activities: eg, introducing a participatory singing session at the local folk club, local festival, school concert, eisteddfod, etc
- Augmenting existing community development projects: eg, adding a group singing component to a local sustainability project; building group singing into the local Neighbourhood Renewal program; connecting community gardening and community singing
- Introducing activities that have worked in other communities: eg, 'Singing in the Key of Bloke' - a NSW project in which isolated rural men get together in small groups to learn common songs, eventually hooking up in a big group to sing together
- Growing the local singing leaders network: eg, leaders gathering to swap songs; workshops on desired topics - harmony, improvisation, etc; making a repertoire CD of local favourites; arranging for developing leaders to observe the activities of established leaders; maintaining regular contact across the network
- Program of introductory workshops for aspirational singing leaders: eg, co-ordinating with CMV and experienced local leaders for gatherings specifically designed for passing on skills
- Series of 'demonstration' participatory sings: eg, seeking opportunities to practically engage the widest possible range of community workers and community groups in the experience of a singing circle
- Facilitating the establishment of new singing circles: eg, initial hands-on assistance for new leaders and/or interested community groups in the practice of leading a singing circle
- Gatherings of local singing groups: eg, coming together to teach each other songs, climaxing with all the groups singing as one
- Program to assist teachers and/or community service professionals to apply participatory singing in their work: eg, a series of workshops and ongoing back-up and support that enhances the confidence and offers techniques
- Initiatives to encourage/facilitate schools to develop their community engagement: eg, 'Singing Schools' activities that involve all sectors of the school community, ie: children, teachers, parents and spilling over into the wider community. A singing leader might work with a number of teachers in a cluster or a single school. The singing leader could conduct demonstration sessions with the children and pass on singing leadership skills to the teachers. Sing-for-fun sessions could be conducted where the parents and children can sing together. Parents could be included in the singing leadership sessions with teachers
- Direct advocacy 'taster' sessions: short participatory singing engagements within gatherings of key agencies, eg, at a regional health association's AGM, a local government Council meeting, a regional schools' principals meeting, a conference on community strengthening
- Co-ordinating a 'Big Sing': setting up a local occasion that attracts many to come together to experience the joy of many voices.
If any of these, or something totally new, feels worth trying, get in touch with us for advice and contacts.
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