After the long quiet of lockdown, Anne Olsen found her voice again in singing with others.
By Anne Olsen
WHEN I moved to Phillip Island I was still working part time as a secondary school teacher. I was looking forward to retirement and had some vague ideas about joining something or other at some stage. Despite my good intentions, after the Covid lockdown I seemed to become something of a recluse. It was only two and a half years ago that I started thinking about joining a community choir.
I’ve always loved music and singing but I had not been a member of a choir since my student days and I was not at all confident about my abilities. I found the Island Harmony Choir through searching online for a choir close to home. Reassured that no audition was required for membership, I turned up at the rehearsal venue … just to listen.
WHEN I moved to Phillip Island I was still working part time as a secondary school teacher. I was looking forward to retirement and had some vague ideas about joining something or other at some stage. Despite my good intentions, after the Covid lockdown I seemed to become something of a recluse. It was only two and a half years ago that I started thinking about joining a community choir.
I’ve always loved music and singing but I had not been a member of a choir since my student days and I was not at all confident about my abilities. I found the Island Harmony Choir through searching online for a choir close to home. Reassured that no audition was required for membership, I turned up at the rehearsal venue … just to listen.
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I must confess that I was doubtful at first. Singing in four-part harmony; singing a tune that was not actually the melody; adding my meagre voice to something that sounded so confident and whole was a challenge. But people were welcoming and kind and I liked the thought of learning something new so I persevered. At least, I thought to myself, no- one will actually hear me amongst all those other voices. This, I have discovered, is not quite the case.
I am still a beginner – some of our members have been with the choir for over 20 years – but already I have found myself on a fascinating and rewarding journey. Of course we all make mistakes when tackling new or more difficult songs but we laugh together and learn from those mistakes because we share a delight in what we are doing. And when we get it right it sounds wonderful. We perform at local aged care facilities, for other local groups and events, and have an end-of-year concert. In this way we share our own joy with others and participate in the wider community. Even if I feel a little nervous before a performance, that apprehension disappears with the first introductory notes of the piano. |
The Island Harmony Choir rehearses on Tuesdays from 1-3pm at St Johns Uniting Church, 86 Chapel St, Cowes. New members are always welcome. No audition required and you do not need to be able to read music. Contact Tony Norquay on 0418 134 709 or [email protected] 
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What the choir has given me is beyond price. I have met and made friends with tremendously interesting people who I would otherwise never have known. I have something special to look forward to when times are tough. And when we are singing, I am transported to a place beyond the mundane, where nothing matters but being a part of the music.