Thursday, June 13, will be an opportunity for the community to see a one-of-a-kind concert featuring some of the Rose City’s most talented singers and musicians.
FCJ College will host its annual Let’s Find Our Voice concert featuring a variety of performances.
It will include a choir made up of students and community members, a string quartet, a band and Year 10 students will present the memoirs of two of the older choir members.
The annual event started as a collaboration with Cooinda Aged Care. However, due to COVID, and the ongoing protocols in aged care facilities, in recent years it has been expanded to be open to the whole community.
The choir has been rehearsing for almost eight weeks, but choir master and teacher, Cath Burton, has been preparing for much longer.
“Probably eight months ago I started rehearsing things like the string group, which is outside of school,” Ms Burton said.
“We’re doing an African song this year. So I spoke to some solo singers and have been encouraging them to learn it for a long time. It’s a bit complex, but they’re doing a good job.
“So some aspects started much earlier, but the formal rehearsals go for eight weeks with students doing about one-and-a-half hours each week.”
This year the choir includes 54 students, who all requested to take part and about 30 adults from all corners of Benalla.
“We invited the students to ask their parents or grandparents, but equally anyone from the community was welcome,” Ms Burton said.
“And that’s what I really like about it. You don’t have to have a relative in the school, you just have to want to sing and want to be involved.
“We have three generations of one family singing. The band was put together by FCJ Youth Worker Adam Toms.
“He has a son in Year 7 and his father-in-law is one of the adults.”
Principal Shaun Mason said one of the highlights is that there are a few students who get to sing with their parents or grandparents.
“Two of our adults are driving in from Kyabram every week as they have a grandson taking part,” Mr Mason said.
“So people really value it, and as a school, we really see the benefits it brings to a lot of people.
“It’s a community event, and we’ve got some great supporters in Benalla.
“Tomorrow Today have been fantastic supporters for many years.
“Benalla Rural City Council, GMCU and Goldhammar Catering have all supported us this year.”
Ms Burton said she sees the concert as a wellbeing project.
“The music is a vehicle to boost that wellbeing,” she said.
“We have some unwell people in that choir, we have neurodiverse people in that choir. It really is something everyone can do.
“Collectively, the voices will all blend together. So you don’t have to be an established singer, you just have to be willing.
“And I would hope that in future years when our students leave school they might consider joining a choir.”
There will be two concerts performed on June 13. The first will be for three Catholic primary schools from the north-east.
The main concert, which is open to the public, will begin at 7pm in FCJ College’s Marie Madeleine Centre, 52-54 Arundel St, Benalla.
Tickets are $10 per adult or $30 for a family. You can purchase one online via www.ticketebo.com.au/letsfindourvoice/ or alternatively you can book your ticket by calling 5762 1222.