Lively performance caps six weeks’ hard work

WESTERN Australian based singer and songwriter Mama Kin helped inspire five newly formed regional choirs across Victoria, including an enthusiastic group of 25 South Gippsland singers who performed together on Friday in the Leongatha Memorial Hall.

Melbourne-based guitarist Tommy Spender and choir leader Virginia Botts were also part of the ‘Sound of Your Town’ project, a Regional Arts Victoria initiative.

The South Gippsland choir was known as the ‘Six Week Singers’, with the name outlining how long they had to memorise their songs and prepare for their public performance.

Local choir leader Jenny Taylor guided and supported the group each week at rehearsals as they learned Mama Kin’s songs. 

While she laid the groundwork, Mama Kin, Tommy and Virginia arrived in Leongatha on Wednesday to work directly with the choir over a couple of nights, helping its members fine tune for Friday night's performance.

South Gippsland Shire Mayor Mohya Davies and husband John enjoyed being part of the group, despite a lack of previous choir experience.

Many of the Six Week Singers have belonged to other choirs.

It was a tremendous turnout with audience members filling the hall, despite Friday’s dismal weather.

“It was a fabulous experience,” Mohya said.

She and John loved the social experience of getting to know other choir members and the challenge of preparing for the performance, with Mohya saying it was a lot of fun learning the songs.
“It was busy last week because we had training every night except Tuesday,” she said, describing preparations and the performance as “a real team effort”.

Mohya slotted into the alto section, with John joining the tenors.

The mayor’s favourite song was ‘The Air Between Us’, with ‘Bird in Your Tree’ and ‘Underground’ a couple of others she particularly relished performing.

“I’ve never had the opportunity to really sing out like that before and it was great,” Mohya said.