What a wonderful surprise to hear the new Kawai CN37 digital piano in operation at our last meeting in July. Our thanks go to Brian Greed, Joyce Borschmann and Gwen Barnes for their submission to the U3A Benalla Committee, and to Brian Greed for overseeing the installation of the piano following their successful submission. The tone the piano produces is very good, and it also has the ability to transpose songs and retain songs which have been previously played which may assist the group in the future.

This month our numbers may have been down slightly but those who have been present have enjoyed the songs presented by our four conductors Faith Hicks, Rick Hann, Brian Greed and Margaret Merriman.

Sometimes it is an old song which gets sung with great gusto which adds to the spirit of the morning. Such was the choice of “She’ll be Comin’ Round the Mountain when she Comes”.

Our thanks go to Joyce and Gwen for providing the cakes to celebrate the new piano and Anne and Milvi’s birthdays.  
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Margaret Jenkins

The Singing for Fun group is always adaptable. For our first meeting of June there were a number of people away sick, including our valued pianist Gwen Barnes. Also missing was Patsy Bollard who had several stitches in her leg following an accident in her garden. We hope you recover soon Patsy. Our Leader, Joyce Borschmann was also absent as her son from Queensland was visiting.

However, the singing went on. Faith Hicks enlisted the help of some new conductors namely Rhonda, Rae and Milvi. We enjoyed their assistance. Faith showed us her talents on the piano accompanying the songs she chose. Well done Faith on the piano and also to our new conductors.

Brian Greed used the overhead projector to show the words of some old favourite songs which were currently not in the songbooks. Brian accompanied the songs on the piano himself, and then followed this up with some sing-along songs for which he also played. It was great to see the overhead projector being used by the Singing for Fun group.

Margaret Merriman enlisted the help of Neville Gibb on the piano for a new song for us namely “Old Khancoban”. Following that Brian Greed accompanied the other songs that Margaret chose.

We ended up having a slightly different but very enjoyable morning.
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Margaret Jenkins

The variety of songs at Singing for Fun is always great. Rick Hann introduced the group to some Gilbert and Sullivan during May, which is something new and which everyone seemed to enjoy.

Brian Greed started us with a new song “Sweet Caroline” during May. Most of us remembered the song and it was not too difficult to pick up the tune and the lyrics.

Margaret Merriman and Faith Hicks have been choosing a good variety of songs. As usual Gwen Barnes has been accompanying us on the piano.

We have seen a couple of new people joining the Singing for Fun group during the month. Perhaps it is the friendly group of people or perhaps it is that we meet on a Thursday morning at 10am. Whatever the reason, it is good to welcome new members to our choir.
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Margaret Jenkins

During April we welcomed Rick Hann to our Musical Leader’s group. Rick, who has an extensive background in choral singing, commenced his program with several Australian favourites including “Botany Bay” which everyone seemed to enjoy.

Faith Hicks introduced us this month to a favourite song of hers “Puttin’ on the Ritz”. Its syncopated melody will take us a little while to pick up. However, it certainly has a catchy tune.
Margaret Merriman chose “The Three Bells” as one of her songs during April.  Brian Greed has introduced the group to the “Whippenproof Song” during one session and the Collingwood Theme Song on another occasion. Singing for Fun is great on variety.  Our pianist Gwen Barnes copes very well with all the songs chosen.

Members are reminded that the Vocal Dimension Group from Wangaratta is performing in the Benalla Town Hall on Saturday 5 May at 2.30pm. Tickets are $15 at the door. This group has visited Benalla several times and always puts together a great afternoon’s entertainment. 
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Margaret Jenkins

March has seen a few more new members join the Singing for Fun group. We are regularly getting more than 35 members at each of our meetings, which is great. The increased numbers have seen both an increase in the number of male voices as well as some new sopranos. It is good that our U3A room is being filled with this number of regular participants.

Our three leaders are encouraging with their choice of songs. Faith Hicks has had a very good response to some of the rounds she has chosen, whilst Margaret Merriman commenced one of her sessions with the “Birth of the Blues” which is always a favourite. Brian Greed has started the entire group on the “Rhythm of Life” which the Harmony group practised last year. Our pianist Gwen Barnes continues to provide the tunes for us on the piano.

Don’t forget that all members of Singing for Fun are welcome at the Harmony session which is the second Thursday of the month.
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Margaret Jenkins

​Our convenor, Joyce Borschmann welcomed everyone to the first meeting in February, telling us that over 50 people had enrolled for Singing for Fun this year. Joyce also welcomed back our three leaders Margaret Merriman, Brian Greed and Faith Hicks for 2018 and also our pianist Gwen Barnes.

Joyce encouraged everyone to wear their name badge so that the new members of the group could get to know everyone very soon.

At our first meeting the leaders started gently by having songs which we were reasonably familiar with. At both of the Singing for Fun meetings in February we had forty members in our U3A room which is more than last year. The Harmony group continues not to have so many members.

However, it is also an integral part of Singing for Fun where we practice the harmony used in many of our songs. So, we would encourage everyone to come to Harmony as well.

At our third meeting for the month Lois Jackson filled in as two of our leaders were away. Lois introduced us to a three-part version of “Swing Low Sweet Chariot “which some had not heard before.

Margaret Merriman started us with the popular John Denver song “Take me home, Country Road” Considering the number of voices we will make an impact with this when we have sung it a couple of times.

The next Singing for Fun meeting will be on Thursday 1 March 2018 at 10am in the U3A room at the Seniors Centre.
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Margaret Jenkins

Our meetings during November have been focussed on fine tuning of the songs which we are presenting at Meet and Mingle on Wednesday 15 November at 10am. The variety of songs chosen by our leaders Faith Hicks, Brian Greed and Margaret Merriman should provide a great concert. Gwen Barnes has been providing excellent assistance on the piano.

We have also been singing extra songs during our Thursday morning meetings. Faith has chosen some rounds while Margaret has included many requests from the Singing for Fun members.

Brian had a great approach with him playing the piano for a Sing-along at the Harmony group. Members really enjoyed the variety of songs which included “The Saints Go Marching In” and “K-K-Katie”.
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Our sing out at the Alice Goulding Wing at Cooinda is on Thursday 7 December. Members are asked to be at Cooinda by 10.15am. To celebrate the end of a great year we are having our end of year lunch at the Golf Club after our Cooinda performance. Please contact Joyce Borschmann if you want to go and have not put your name down already.
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Margaret Jenkins