Teaching the town to sing

May 15, 2025

Back in 1971 The New Seekers recorded a song called "I'd like to Teach the World to Sing". It sold twelve million copies, so it's obviously an idea that people like.

In 2025, the residents of Oberon were invited to come to the Malachi Gilmore Hall to be taught to sing, and on Sunday, May 11, a group got together to try out their voices. They were instructed by Christine Firkin (who later in the day starred in the play "See You Later Mum") who used a succession of lessons and exercises which not only got the participants moving their own voices around but got them to sing harmonies. Within a very short period it was obvious that something was working with people just singing numbers.

Singing is also about breathing and movement.

Many musicians will tell you that you can practise all you like, but there's nothing like getting out there and performing in front of an audience to test you and improve your skills. This happened with this group, who after a bit more coaching and some rehearsal performed as a choir as the introduction to the play later in the day.

The first public show of the new choir.

And were they any good? I don't think they will be challenging the Sydney Philharmonic Choir for time on the Opera House stage any time soon, but what they achieved after only a few short hours of training and practice was very impressive.

Here's a sample of what they sounded like.

As a bonus, Lucy East showed that she doesn't just promote music at the hall but can make it herself by accompanying one of the choir's songs on the cello.

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