Boost for choir

By Lia Bichel
THE Berwick Youth Choir has been given a financial boost from Casey councillors.
Springfield Ward Councillor Sam Aziz donated $1000 from his ward funds to the choir to help young people whose parents are experiencing a financial strain.
He encouraged fellow councillors to chip in, and together they collected about $2000 for the choir.
“While participation in choir is fantastic, petrol prices and interest rates are high and a number of families are struggling to make ends meet,” he said.
“I wanted to use my position as a councillor to be able to provide some sort of relief to families so that their children can continue to participate in the choir.
“It is an activity that builds social skills and allows young people to network, just like many other social and sporting activities. It upsets me to think they could be deprived of these activities because of financial strain.”
The Berwick Youth Choir Business Support officer Marina Dennis welcomed the funds.
“It is very encouraging for the children involved in the choir,” Ms Dennis said.
“They get a sense of their value in the region.”
President of the Berwick Youth Choir Trudi Paton said the money would help provide members of the choir with an opportunity to attend a senior performing choir tour to Tasmania in July for the Festival of Voices 2011.
“It is an annual festival and features international choral and singing teachers, performers, choirs, concerts and celebration. Hobart literally comes alive with music and song,” Ms Paton said.
“We’ve had a few families advise us that their children will be unable to attend the tour for financial reasons. Other families have difficulty paying choir fees. The money raised by Cr Sam Aziz and his colleagues will certainly give these families choice about having their child join our tour.”
Ms Paton said the members of the choir enjoy work as part of a team, striving for excellence and making new friends.
“We don’t audition children, everyone is welcome,” she said.
“Children wanting to join the choir and be part of this great festival in July are welcome to contact us now.”
The Berwick Youth Choir is a non-profit community choir, run by a committee of volunteers, with dedicated music staff.
The choir accepts all young people from any part of the community aged five to 20.
Anyone wanting more information can contact www.berwickyouthchoir.com.au or call 0408 515 699.