Choir members Norma Johnson and Adam Dixon were in fine voice for the Rocky Road Choir’s second birthday.
By Kath Gannaway
HEALESVILLE’S RecLink Rocky Road Choir marked two years on the road with a beautifully harmonised rendition of “Happy Birthday”.
The choir, modelled on the famous Melbourne Choir of Hard Knocks, celebrated its second birthday with a party for former and current members and leaders earlier this month.
The choir, which is auspiced by EACH – Eastern Access Community Health’s Rivendell program, has gone from strength to strength with its success measured in individual achievements and their success as a choir which has a number of public performances to its credit.
Adam Dixon, 44, a musician and worker at Rivendell, has been with the choir since it began.
“I played in a blues band for about 10 years before my two daughters were born, but had let it go a bit,” he says. “This is a creative outlet which is something very different from anything I have done in the past.
“I get a lot of the choir musically but also through interacting with people of different age groups and individual interests.”
He said the choir offered different things to different people.
“It builds confidence. I have seen people come in quite shy and really come out of themselves as they develop with the choir,” Mr Dixon said.
“Part of why RecLink fund us is because what we are about here is what RecLink is about, keeping connected.”
“It’s important that it is available to anyone who wants to come along – you don’t have to be a singer.”
Choir leader Leah Marlowe said the group very quickly became a choir and became incredibly supportive of each other.
“You are such a beautiful, diverse group of individuals, you bring so much energy and love, and you bring your voices,” she said.
She also thanked the project and choir leaders including Mitch Swan, Mitzi Davidson, Catherine Nolan and Mr Dixon, who had played a role over the past two years saying it would not be the success it is without them.
The choir is looking for more members … particularly anyone with a lower voice range.
“If someone is just a little curious to find out what the choir is all about they are welcome to come along and have a sing, or just listen and share afternoon tea with us,” Ms Marlowe said.
The choir meets at the Healesville Memorial hall on Wednesdays at 1pm. Anyone interested can phone Rivendell on 5962 2388.
