Shower singers… it’s time to shine

On Tuesdays from 5.30pm, joyful harmonies and roars of laughter fill the Sofitel Melbourne on Collins. Passers-by stop in their tracks, businessmen tap their toes and diverse people connect through one of the oldest traditions known to man. Welcome to With One Voice Melbourne.

“Suddenly backgrounds, occupation, race, religion and disability disappear and instead there are only voices, songs, smiles and happiness.” Elizabeth (China), Choir Member

Melbourne is the hub of Creativity Australia’s With One Voice choir program. The choirs welcome people aged 9 to 90, from all faiths, cultures and backgrounds. There are no auditions and no singing experience is necessary.

Through the program’s social inclusion model and Wish List, diverse participants connect to friends, mentors, wellbeing, joy, new skills and jobs. We believe group singing creates empowered individuals and supportive communities, better-placed to solve some of society’s biggest challenges such as mental illness, loneliness and isolation and cultural tension.

Founder and Chair Tania de Jong AM’s recent TEDx Talk “How Singing Together Changes The Brain” has sparked international interest, with pilot choirs under development in the USA and Holland. The charity was recently named one of Australia’s top social innovations in Anthill’s Smart 100 for the second year in a row.

Creativity Australia’s Sing for Spring project invites people to gather a group, sing a song and submit their video online, with some of the most fun and inspiring clips played on the Big Screen at Federation Square!

“It’s cost me virtually nothing, and yet it’s given me a new dimension in my life completely – as it has the rest of us. You can’t buy that.” Gerard, Choir Member

Ten reasons to sing for joy

1. Release endorphins and increases levels of oxytocin
2. Improve posture, breathing and blood-flow
3. Save money: our voice is our free human instrument
4. Create new neural pathways and improve brain meta-plasticity
5. Ward off age-related decline by continuously ‘exercising’ your brain
6. Heal depression, strokes and speech abnormalities
7. Promote social bonding and cohesion; and rediscover your own identity
8. Relieve mental health issues; feel happier, better connected and supported
9. Connect with other diverse voices and your community
10. Be smarter, healthier, happier and more creative

Singing is not about being a star or knowing how to do it well. It’s about enjoying the gift of our voices and sharing them with others. We were born to sing. It’s primal and it’s tribal. Voice is the language of our hearts. It’s how we express ourselves. And it’s very important to our mental and physical health.

“I had bad anxiety, mainly from not working, which could have become depression if I had not found the choir. Singing has helped as it makes me happy, it’s uplifting, but also talking to people who had similar problems. The choir is supportive. We sing happy songs that give a sense of positive good feeling. I always look forward to choir. I think I will be singing there until I can’t anymore. My wife noticed the difference in me. I’m back to me normal self now.” Julian (Sri Lanka), Choir Member

How to find your voice

1. Join your local choir
2. Immerse yourself in diverse music, concerts, bands, musicals, chanting… you name it!
3. Get creative, write your own song and sing it with others

“The choir is an escape for me. To open my heart, to be relaxed, happy and forget about all the problems. It’s an open door that you can only see flowers in front and be happy. Enjoy the perfume of the song.” Nathalie (Cameroon), Choir Member

With One Voice choirs are led by professional conductors and meet weekly, followed by supper. Find your local choir or get involved with community singing project Sing for Spring at www.creativityaustralia.org.au