Voices of Birralee is collaborating with the medically oriented charity “Exercise, Music and Art in Medicine” created by Dr Andrew Nicol, to undertake the Virtual Choir Project – Hope Sings! This aims to give people with cancer of all ages and their families easy and uplifting access to opportunities to sing either by self-recording at home, performing live or both.  Most importantly, no prior experience of singing or musical talent is needed just a desire to have fun singing.

At Voices of Birralee we believe everyone can sing and that in doing so with others, we can build relationships that go well beyond just singing together. Apart from the joy of creating music, participants who wish to, can join a vibrant on-line community sharing their stories, including their experiences in the choir or music in general. Music has been shown to improve the outcomes for people with cancer. Involvement in Hope Sings will provide opportunities for escape, distraction, connections, and the joy of learning and engaging with music.

Participants will be part of a newly developed program of musical engagement that considers their variable musical capabilities, health and availability, circumstances, potential geographical isolation, and other needs.

Leading musical educators from Voices of Birralee are providing guidance for participants to sing alone, or in a virtual or live choir, or contribute musical accompaniment. Participants can join working groups, led by music composers, providing opportunities for creative input to new compositions drawing on their own experience and emotions.

Through podcasts a subset of participants will have opportunities to share their stories on Spotify or iTunes.

The virtual choir will be in two parts, one a stand-alone video of a virtual concert collated using individual home song recordings, video footage and musical accompaniments. This will then contribute to a live event being streamed and synchronised with the virtual concert through a conductor with the live choir. Virtual choristers will be able to watch the hybrid (virtual plus) live concert in real time “live” at home or later using the video and sound recordings.

Voices of Birralee’s very encouraging conductors and singers will guide you through the process with video instructions and teaching resources to assist you with learning the song and sounding your best. 

So sign up now!

To register yourself or a family member you can click on the green Register Now button below.

Here are some important things to know before signing up:

1. The project is absolutely free for participants.

2. The primary contact is anyone 18 years or age or older. This is important if the applicant is under 18 years of age.

3. The registered applicant is the person involved in the project while the primary contact may be a parent, family member or carer.

4. To view a How To Register guide click here.

If you have further questions please email hopesings@birralee.org

One of Dr Andrew Nicol's patients demonstrates for us how easily you can be involved by singing along with a pre-recorded guide video sung by Birralee choristers. You don't have to make a video though if you would prefer not to, an audio only recording is also possible. You're recording would become part of the virtual choir.