Soprano, so good, for Singergy

From twenty somethings to octogenarian all sorts of other things.

Actually, Susan never considered her choir would go mainstream on local stages.

In fact, when she opened her hopes - and her heart - to the first audition she had almost convinced herself if a handful of people fronted she would be surprised.

Although it would not have mattered to her, be it one or 100 the Echuca based radiographer would have been happy to have someone else, anyone else, to sing with again.

But Susan had unknowingly tapped into an unseen vein of wannabe warblers who jumped at the chance to share the stage and the microphones with her.

“I know the positive effects of singing first hand,” Ms Cox said.

“I have young children so a lot of my time goes into raising them, and obviously it means you sometimes have to neglect the things you enjoy doing.

“It was also really noticeable how stressed people were through Covid times, people who would normally be going along fine were really struggling due to the situation into which we were all forced,” she said.

“So I really wanted to be able to put out an offer and get a place where people could come and sing their stress out every week.”

And sing they did, and what would become Singergy Community Choir was off and harmonising - and officially launched in May, 2024.

Through connections at Moama Anglican Grammar, her children’s school, Ms Cox found a rehearsal space and a platform to advertise, with the then co-curriculum co-ordinator Fiona Gibbs helping link her to the school’s more musically-inclined community members.

Initially named the MAG adult choir, the group quickly attracted a consistent member base, changing its name to make it clear everyone in the community was welcome.

“I debated even having choir in the name because a few people had said ”oh, I’m not good enough to be in a choir’,” Ms Cox admitted.

“Instead I told them it’s not the type of choir they think it is, and explained we have singers of all levels of skill and experience from those who would only sing in the shower or their cars right through to those who’ve performed professionally.”

Ms Cox’s attitude has always been the same, the more the merrier, something reflected in the name the group’s name itself.

“The name Singergy is a combination of sing, synergy, and energy,” she explained.

“Sing obviously, synergy because we’re bringing our voices together, and energy because the music we’re singing is all about bringing those high-energy levels and good feelings together.

“We didn’t want people to feel like they were coming to join some sort of starchy, quiet group - one of our points of difference is we sing exclusively contemporary and modern music, whether it’s pop, rock, or musical theatre.”

Now with a consistent cast of 30 singers, word started to get around town, and it wasn’t long before Singergy started receiving requests to perform at various events.

To help raise the choir’s profile, the group adopted a uniform, with WorkLocker Echuca and CLK First National stepping in to sponsor a free T-shirt for each member.

“We’ve grown so much, we’ve become so much more than just a group who sings,” she said.

“The point of having this type of choir was so people could come and sing their stress out, but then people started sharing their stories about why they came.

“For some people, it’s a fun thing they do every week, but for others, it’s a lifeline and it helps them to have something positive to look forward to which is a break from whatever else is happening in their lives.”

“So many friendships have formed, it’s helped people who’ve moved to the town make connections, and I’ve realised I have a responsibility to keep this choir running to provide that place where people can come for a little escape and to unwind.”

Singergy Community Choir meets every Monday at 7.30pm in MAG’s hall and always is after new members.

To find out more, visit singergy.com.au