Excitement is building as the date for Bella A’Capella’s Spring Sing Workshop is steadily approaching.
The workshop, to be held on Saturday, October 26, will be a day to revel in the joy of music, singing and camaraderie. It is open to singers of all abilities and genders, who are 18 years and over.
The Echuca-based choir is delighted to have Sharon Batterham, an experienced choral director, vocal teacher and chorister, and the conductor of Melbourne’s Southern Voices Choir, as the special guest and conductor for the workshop.
The event will not only inspire and enhance the musical prowess of participants, but a delectable feast of food for lunch will be offered thanks to the community catering team from Gunbower.
The catering team, the catering subcommittee of the Gunbower District Development Group, led by Jeanette Cowan, Bella A’capella bass singer, is well-experienced and has contributed to various events in its own town as well as in the wider district.
They have provided food for funerals, Year 6 graduation dinners, a previous Bella singing workshop and supporting Landcare projects on the Murray River.
The group’s members share a love of cooking and a commitment to their community and the Campaspe area.
Jeanette believes that the Gunbower catering group is proactive and full of initiative.
“(We try) to enhance the experiences and outlook of our community and the wider district for now and the future,” she said.
“Any profits that are raised from catering activities go directly back to the community.”
Their efforts have already contributed to significant projects in their town: funding for Christmas celebrations, supporting a local artist to paint murals on several buildings to beautify the township, and helping with the redevelopment of Galyan Woka (Beautiful Country), Gunbower Lions Park.
Most recently, the catering team contributed towards money needed for the repainting of the exterior of the Soldiers Memorial Hall, which has been completed in time for the centenary celebrations in late August. The catering group will also lend its expertise to the occasion.
“We will be providing high teas, with sittings of 80 people per service, to mark the centenary of the opening of the hall,” Jeanette said.
Any profits made from the Spring Sing Workshop will go towards the catering group’s current project — to assist with funding for a publication that will cover the history of the past 50 years of Gunbower for its sesquicentenary. This will supplement the book of the town’s history which was produced for its centenary in 1974.
Much thought and effort has already gone into preparations for the Spring Sing Workshop.
Cookbooks and the internet have been consulted, and members of the catering team have shared treasured family recipes.
All dietary requirements will be covered, and flavoursome soups, sandwiches and wraps, fresh fruit platters, and slices and cakes will be provided.
With a day approaching of music, a delectable lunch, contributing to a worthy local cause, those who wish to attend the Bella A’Capella Spring Sing Workshop are encouraged to get in early to buy their ticket as only limited places are available.
The Spring Sing Workshop is on Saturday, October 26, from 9am to 5pm at the St Mary’s Church Hall, 224 Anstruther St, Echuca.
To secure a ticket head to the Bella A’Capella Facebook page, email bellaechuca@gmail.com or go to www.trybooking.com/CPJBN
— Story by Maggie James, Bella A’Capella choir member