Introducing “Victoria Sings”
Victoria Sings is a state-wide
initiative designed to weave community singing into the cultural fabric of
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 re-generative
singing circles which:
are engaged
with their communities.
welcome newcomers.
nurture their
participants.
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
well-being 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
on-going 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 which 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 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
well-being through community-based and owned creative practices.
affirms, enhances
and supports community embedded leadership teams.
encourages
independent, on-going and subsidy-free activities.
has no emphasis
on “public performance” manifestations, but rather on 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, and has developed replicable techniques, accessible
philosophies and integrated training, advocacy, resourcing and networking
functions.
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.
Most
importantly, it will be a communal activity imbued with a spirit of
inclusivity, creativity and joy.