Welcome to the April edition of Shout! CMVic’s monthly newsletter.

Autumn means music in the great outdoors! From the glorious green of the Dandenong Ranges at Singing Under the Oaks, the vibrant streets of Cresfest, the carnival atmosphere of Melton’s Dream Big festival, and on to the rolling valleys of Glenmore for the Turramurra Folk Music Camp on 14-17 April. Not to mention the many delightful folk festivals along the way!

Our latest CMVic Blog explores the enticing and beautifully curated Elwood Singing Walking Trail, an invitation to sing in the historical and restorative blue space of Nerm “Port Phillip Bay”.

We invite you to help shape the future of community music in Victoria. The CMVic Members and Friends Survey will take about 3-7 mins, and will help shape CMVic's programs and services, how we advocate on your behalf to government and philanthropic bodies, and how we communicate with you. PLUS, if you enter before midnight, 11 April, you can also go into the draw for the BIG THANK YOU prize giveaway, thanks to our friends at Allen & Unwin.

Read on below for the panoply of music making opportunities in April and beyond.

CMVic News

Win a copy of ‘Why We Sing’ by Julia Hollander 03 Apr 2023 Singing makes you feel good! Everyone who sings in a community choir (or in the shower) knows this, and relishes the sense of liberation, connection and sheer joy that singing can bring. Why We Sing is an inspiring and thought-provoking memoir by singer and community music teacher Julia Hollander, which celebrates our impulse to sing, from the beginning to the end of life. Drawing on her personal experience as well as the fascinating recent findings of neurological research, Julia shows how we are hardwired to sing. For a chance to win your own copy simply complete the CMVic Members and Friends… Keep Reading

Rocks ‘n’ Stroll along the Elwood Singing Walking Trail 03 Apr 2023 Along a well-known part of Melbourne’s Bayside, a new Singing Walking Trail is fine tuning walkers into their environment through a series of songs telling stories that incite fresh knowledge and new perspectives of its familiar landscape. Back during the murky depths of the 2020  lockdown, plans for the Elwood Singing Walking Trail were conceived and hatched by local choir leader and project facilitator, Jeannie Marsh. Originally intended to lift the spirits of Jeannie’s Elwood Community Choir at a time when singers were isolated from each other, a key focus of the project is connection, a cornerstone of all Jeanie’s… Keep Reading

New repertoire for singers and players 31 Jan 2023 Hot off the press, for your group music-making pleasure:   Songs of the Living World Laura Brearley's book of 30 songs about our love of the natural world, with notation, lyric and chord charts and recordings featuring singers and musicians from across Victoria. Available from the CMVic online shop   Where Everything is Music Val Regan (UK) has a new book of 10 harmony songs, inspired by the poetry of Rumi, the 13th century poet, Islamic scholar and Sufi mystic. Email Val if you are interested in purchasing any of her books from outside the UK.   The Melbourne Tune Collection 86 original songs and tunes from 58 different… Keep Reading

The CMVic Shop never shuts! 31 Mar 2022 The CMVic online store has many wonderful resources lining its virtual shelves, including The Ukestration Manual and The Business of being a Community Musician by Mark Jackson and Jane Jelbart, and Just Sing and Just Sing Rounds songbooks aimed at community singing groups and choirs, by Jane Coker and Val Regan.                     The Ukestration Manual: Want to go beyond hum’n’strum? Want to deal with music-making humans more effectively? 100+ pages packed with knowledge, practical solutions and reflections based on ten years of teaching and leading ukulele. Click here The Business of Being a Community Musician: Let people value you as a… Keep Reading

CMVic Events

Member and Friends Survey 03 Apr 2023 - 11 Apr 2023 It's been too long! Grab yourself a cuppa and let's chat. The CMVic Members and Friends Survey will take about 3-7 mins, and will help shape CMVic's programs and services, how we advocate on your behalf to government and philanthropic bodies, and how we communicate with you. PLUS, if you enter before midnight 11 April, you can also go into the draw for the BIG THANK YOU prize giveaway, thanks to our friends at Allen & Unwin. Be an integral part in helping people experience the joy, connection and health benefits of making music Your input directly affects what opportunities will be made available for people to… Keep Reading

Public News

Community News and Info

Choir Leader Classifieds 02 Mar 2023 Attention CHOIR LEADERS CMVic has received a number of enquiries from choirs in the South Eastern suburbs of Melbourne looking for singing leaders to bring the joy of singing to their communities. Stretching from Carnegie to Mornington, several positions are available. If… Keep Reading

New Picture Songbook by Vanessa Craven 01 Apr 2023 ‘Birds in my Tree: The Magic of Birds and the Joy of Singing’  by Vanessa I. R. Craven The COVID-19 lockdowns created a 'stay-at home' world in which Vanessa began to interact with the birds in her garden and in the bush… Keep Reading

Melbourne Tune Collection 20 Jan 2023 NEW RELEASE! Melbourne Tune Collection is the result of 3 years on the road collecting contemporary folk music from across Victoria. It consists of 86 original songs and tunes from 58 different composers, who in true folk tradition, are a… Keep Reading

For more community news and information visit our website

Public Events

Group Events

Drum Connection, group hand drumming courses 27 Apr 2023 Drum Connection, group hand drumming courses These fun community courses have been running in Hurstbridge continuously for 18 years. Drumming is accessible to all, great for brain power, making music together, performing if you wish, and fun, fun, fun! New… Keep Reading

Meridian - A Global Story 29 Apr 2023 Meridian - A Global Story  Chime Choir and Knox Wind Symphony invite you to journey with us through music which connects us to each other and our world.    Cost: adults $20 / concession $15 / Child under 12 free … Keep Reading

Camberwell Chorale presents BEETHOVEN 07 May 2023 Camberwell Chorale presents … Beethoven Experience the grandeur, power, and spiritual depth of Beethoven’s Mass in C Major Op. 86, and the drama, energy, and colour to be found in The Ruins of Athens. Sunday, 7 May at 2.30 pm Hawthorn Arts… Keep Reading

Metro Events

Melbourne International Singers Festival 2023 08 Jun 2023 - 12 Jun 2023 Melbourne International Singers Festival launches exciting 2023 program with an all Australian lineup! BOOK BEFORE MARCH 26 & SAVE $$ Join us on the King’s Birthday weekend at Melbourne’s iconic arts precinct for the best value choral festival in the country,… Keep Reading

Regional Events

The Big SING-IN with Gippsland Singers Network 16 Apr 2023 Come to a big, group Sing-In on April 16th in Mirboo North, hosted by Gippsland Singers network. The Sing-In is at 2–4pm ALL WELCOME. Plus in the morning 11.30am – 1pm we have a song/skills swap for singing leaders and aspiring… Keep Reading

Music Camps

Turramurra Folk Music Bush Camp 2023 14 Apr 2023 - 17 Apr 2023 Set in the beautiful bush environment of the Rowsley Valley on Wadawurrung Country, the Turramurra Folk Music Bush Camp is back for 2023. The camp welcomes people of all ages - come and join in a weekend of sharing music,… Keep Reading

Winter Mountain Fest 2023 16 Jun 2023 - 18 Jun 2023 2023 Winter Mountain Fest:  residential weekend singing camp Friday 16 - Sunday 18 June 2023 – Connect with your mind, body, soul and community – Five amazing singing workshops during the day from five different world-class presenters. Drumming circle, yoga,… Keep Reading

Workshops

Introductory Ukulele and Guitar Workshops for Beginners 13 Apr 2023 - 20 Apr 2023 Want to learn how to play the ukulele or guitar? Led by totally blind ukulele teacher Phillip Chalker from Latrobe Music. Open to all abilities between the ages of 12 to 25 Dates: April 13 and April 20  Time: 11am … Keep Reading

Accessible Individual Music tuition 26 Apr 2023 Music Connection Melbourne offers music lessons with a ‘hands on’ exploration approach, designed to suit the individual’s preferred learning style and musical interests. Suitable for ages 8-108, programs will specifically cater for seniors and people with diverse learning requirements. Playing… Keep Reading

Connect & Sing – South East Melbourne 06 May 2023 EXPLORE YOUR VOICE & MEET YOUR COMMUNITY Join us for a day of singing, community, and fun at the Clarinda Community Centre on Saturday 6th May! Singers from all over Melbourne will unite for a day of singing together, meeting… Keep Reading

Classes

Bayside Community Drum Circle 04 Apr 2023 Bayside Community Drum Circle: 11.45am–1.15pm Tuesdays Come and join a fun and friendly drum circle in Highett. We have been running for the past year, and we love welcoming new members. No prior drumming experience necessary. And we provide the drums… Keep Reading

Chadstone Community Drum Circle 05 Apr 2023 Chadstone Community Drum Circle: 1.30pm–3pm Wednesdays Come and join a fun and friendly drum circle in Chadstone. We have been running for 9 years, and we love welcoming new members. No prior drumming experience necessary. And we provide the drums if… Keep Reading

For more community events visit our website