smc

Sweet Monas Choir consists of around thirty singers, continuing the journey of the more than one hundred community members who have passed through the Choir since its inception. Singers – students, unemployed, tradespeople, professionals, amateurs, old, young, rich, poor, from diverse cultural backgrounds – a community choir in name, spirit and action.Choir members have said that the Choir attracts singers because of its reputation of having great arrangements, because it is a’ cappella, because of the opportunity to sing & perform, and to be a singing part of a big and often amazing sound. But mostly to be in the company of other singers equally committed to the simple beauty and wonder of singing.

Sweet Monas Choir started in 1996 when a student choir was developed to teach singing as an approach to teaching voice skills in a Performing Arts course. This was the beginning point that set in motion what has become one of Victoria’s leading and most renowned community choirs. And in ten years Sweet Monas Choir has grown to become an embodiment of the remarkable power of community art.

The success of Sweet Monas Choir relies heavily on the commitment and the broad range of skills brought to it by all its members. Choir members commit their time; to rehearsals, performances, the management of the Choir and to theprojects undertaken by the Choir. Engaging in all this activity is a huge job and the willingness of Choir members to engage in this is another indication of their commitment to singing and performance.

Sweet Monas Choir focuses on acappella and rhythm, and draws its material from gospel, protest and celebratory music from countries such as Africa, America, Georgia and Australia, with an emphasis on original material and original arrangements. Sweet Monas Choir has had the extreme good fortune of the input of a number of music professionals, within the Choir membership and beyond. Musicians such as Barry Deenick, Stella Savy, Dani Fry and Wayne Parker have made a huge contribution with their musical direction, their arrangements, as conductors and with their readiness to share their musical expertise with other members of the Choir.

Music and performance professionals from outside the Choir that have contributed are Venetta Fields, Mal Webb, Tony Backhouse, Valunga Khosa, Vika & Linda Bull.

Choir members have said that the Choir attracts singers because of its reputation of having great arrangements, because it is acappella, because of the opportunity to sing & perform, and to be a singing part of a big and often amazing sound. But mostly to be in the company of other singers equally committed to the simple beauty and wonder of singing.

The success of Sweet Monas Choir relies heavily on the commitment and the broad range of skills brought to it by all its members. Choir members commit their time; to rehearsals, performances, the management of the Choir and to theprojects undertaken by the Choir. Engaging in all this activity is a huge job and the willingness of Choir members to engage in this is another indication of their commitment to singing and performance.