Choir with a difference

By Emma Sun
THE members of Goss Community Choir make group singing cool.
They vary in age from 16 onwards, and sing a range of modern songs, from pop to rock to musical theatre.
Formed in May 2009, the group started out as six choir enthusiasts and has since grown to accommodate more than 40 members.
Dene Menzel, who runs the choir, split the group into two, with one based in Hallam and the other based in Tarneit.
“We have people in every decade within the choir, male and female,” Dene said.
Goss is a non-audition choir, which means they accept anyone of any skill level.
Passionate budding singers and beginners get the opportunity to learn the basics and improve their singing and collaborating.
“They’re learning how to read sheet music and a lot of them wouldn’t know how to do that,” Dene said.
“It’s not a class per se, but they do pick up skills along the way and benefit from it, such as learning how to sing with direction, how to breathe for singing, as well as how to how to sing in harmony.”
Their next big gig will be Carols by Candlelight for Christmas celebrations, which will see the combined group perform at Max Pawsey Reserve in Fountain Gate on Christmas eve.
“We’ll be doing the main carols such as Away in a Manger, O Come All Ye Faithful and Silent Night, as well as two of our own songs, Joyful Joyful and My Grown-up Christmas List,” Dene said.
Dene comes from a musical background and teaches singing.
She said Goss choir was her way of giving back to the community and raising awareness for music and the arts in the local area.
She meets with those who share her passion once a week, where the group learns new music harmonies for various songs that they perform.
“I love the choir environment and it’s very fun and creative on my part – I get to come up with some arrangements for the songs and that’s my way of doing something for me too, which is great,” Dene said.
“When it all comes together, it’s just wonderful.”
The group is also dabbling in a bit of dancing, with Dene adding some light choreography to get the singers moving.
“We’re starting to bring in some choreography, so it’s not just about singing out of choir books. I’m not looking for people who are contestants on So You Think You Can Dance, it’s about people participating and having a laugh.”
The choir sings from three parts to seven-part harmonies, consisting of tenors, altos and sopranos.
Dene said there is currently a shortage of male singers, with only seven in the combined group.
She encourages everyone to get involved.
“I think we’re onto a good thing in terms of what we’ve created so far. I just want to see it flourish and prosper and go on to bigger and better things every year,” she said.