we can all make music
introducing Victoria Sings
Victoria Sings is a state-wide initiative designed to weave community singing into the cultural fabric of Victoria. The work is based on the knowledge that singing together is an effective way to develop and sustain social connection.
Our major strategy is to nurture and support singing leadership within communities.
The key outcome of the work has been, and will continue to be the emergence and growth of a state-wide network of independent, self-sustaining and regenerative singing circles that:
- are engaged with their communities;
- welcome newcomers;
- nurture their participants; and,
- are proudly diverse.
Since the program began, with the support of VicHealth, we've been testing models, first in rural and regional communities, and more recently, in urban situations. Assessing the value of community singing as a contributor to community health and wellbeing has been an important aspect of this process.
The outcomes have been that:
- the strategy of focusing on the development of community-based leadership skills has been affirmed;
- training programs have been developed and successfully tested;
- the need for ongoing counselling and advice for leaders and groups has become clear;
- a team of experienced trainers and networkers has been developed;
- methods for assisting the establishment of singing circles have been developed and successfully tested;
- over 200 new leaders have emerged and, together with many established leaders, are developing into an active leadership network;
- more than seventy new groups have independently established themselves, and many already existing groups have availed themselves of CMV's services;
- ways of developing an original, diverse and authentic repertoire have been explored and clear strategies developed;
- ways of engaging with agencies that excite them into using singing circles in their work have been developed;
- ways of effectively promoting community singing have been developed and successfully tested;
- singing leaders, singing circles and agencies with community development responsibilities are increasingly aware of, and articulate about, the function and value of group singing in communities;
In our view, Victoria Sings is an internationally innovative community arts program in that it:
- consciously recognises and articulates its purpose as enhancing wellbeing through community-based and owned creative practices;
- affirms, enhances and supports community embedded leadership teams;
- encourages independent, ongoing and subsidy-free activities;
- has no emphasis on 'public performance' manifestations (recognising and promoting the belief that the primary benefits of music are in its making);
- has no emphasis on the creation of singing groups, but rather focuses on sessional group singing at which newcomers are always welcome;
- has a systemic and holistic approach. It has developed replicable techniques, accessible philosophies and integrated training, advocacy, resourcing and networking functions; and,
- has state-wide coverage and a vision of universal application.
In combination, these characteristics set the program apart, as far as we are aware, from all other community arts projects and from virtually all community development initiatives. CMV is now ready to comprehensively implement a major initiative aimed at making singing together a regular part of the everyday life of all Victorians. Most important, it will be a communal activity imbued with a spirit of inclusivity, creativity and joy.
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making a sound world together
