Women will be encouraged to find and explore their voices in a safe and fun environment as part of an inclusive singing workshop.
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Community singing leader and teacher Rachel Morgan will run the session called Women Sing Out, which is an initiative of Women Supporting Women Ballarat.
“The really big thing is to encourage women to find their voices,” Ms Morgan said.
“We don’t particularly live in a singing culture and there are singing cultures around the world where people just sing, that’s just what they do.
“The workshops are not a classical situation at all, there will be songs celebrating women, simple rounds, breathing exercises. The idea really is for women to meet each other. ”
Singing boasts many health benefits including the social interaction that comes from being part of a choir, relieving stress and anxiety, improving cognition, along with improving breathing, posture and muscle tension.
“You need to be breathing well to sing and a lot of us we’re stressed and without realising it go round breathing in a very shallow way,” Ms Morgan said.
“When you actually go to a singing workshop or a community choir, you start breathing well if you want to sing. And the other reason for doing it is it can be such a spirit lifter.”
In an environment free of criticism and expectation, the workshop is aimed at all ages with no experience required. You do not even have to consider yourself a singer.
Ms Morgan said those who felt daunted often gained the greatest sense of satisfaction afterwards.
“I’m not going to be singling anybody out... it is about singing together,” she said.
“Women considering it and feeling a bit petrified need to know that their voices aren’t particularly going to stand out, they are going to be part of a team.”
Ms Morgan said if there was momentum and interest after the workshop, there could be more in the near future or even a women’s choir in Ballarat next year.
The workshop is supporting WRISC Family Violence Support with part of ticket sales donated to the Ballarat women’s charity.
Women Supporting Women’s Sing Out workshop will be held at Ballarat Trades Hall on Tuesday, October 16, from 6.30-8.30pm. For more information visit www.facebook.com/wswballarat/.
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