🎶 The Joy of Singing: Harmony Across the Generations 🎶
There’s something profoundly human about singing — the way it bypasses logic and leaps straight to the heart. Yesterday, at the Ballarat Choral Festival, that joy was not only heard but felt, filling Saint Patrick’s Cathedral with warmth, unity, and a sense of something far greater than the sum of our voices.
From the youngest prep student, juniors shyly clutching their iPads , to our silver-haired sopranos and basses who have sung through decades of life’s seasons, the day was a true celebration of the ages — a musical tapestry that told the story of our community. Each choir brought its own flavour: ensembles with bright, eager tones; seasoned chamber groups offering polish and poise; community choirs brimming with heart and character.
The repertoire ranged from sacred classics to toe-tapping spirituals, and yet, in the end, it was one song that brought us all together. As the final notes of “Walk on the Water” rose and fell in that glorious cathedral space, something magical happened: over a hundred voices — young and old, trained and tentative — sang not as many, but as one. No audition could have prepared us for that moment of harmony. It was lived. It was shared. It was pure joy.
In an age of headphones and digital playlists, to stand side by side and sing — breathing the same air, watching Helen the conductor’s hand rise, feeling the music swell inside you — is a quiet act of rebellion, and a loud act of love. Singing connects us: to the music, to each other, and to something timeless.
To all who sang, supported, organised, directed, and applauded — thank you. The Ballarat Choral Festival has left us humming with hope and gratitude. Until next time, may your hearts keep sining
Comments