Our three leaders Faith Hicks, Brian Greed and Margaret Merriman have been finalising their selection of songs for our Sing Out sessions. These performances will be on Wednesday 21st November at 10am at U3A Meet and Mingle and at Cooinda on Thursday 6th December at 10.30am.

We are performing two songs “I Vow to Thee my Country” and “Finlandia” at the 100 Years Commemoration of World War 1 on Sunday 11 November at 2.30pm at the Benalla Town Hall. Members of the Benalla Dramatic Society will also be participating in the program with other choral items.
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Margaret Jenkins

U3A Benalla was invited to be the guest speaker at the Cooinda AGM on Tuesday 25th September 2018. As part of this presentation the members of the Singing for Fun group were invited to sing. Whilst their performance was not long, it was great to be able to show the variety of songs that we enjoy singing.

One of the interesting aspects of the past month was when our Convenor, Joyce Borschmann decided to show us how a song could be improved by the use of drama. Many of us were unaware that Joyce had been a drama instructor during her teaching career, and were enthralled at the interest that could be added to “Right said Fred” by Joyce. Hopefully we have learnt a little of what she was showing us and put it into our rendition of that song at Cooinda.

We thank our leaders Faith Hicks, Brian Greed and Margaret Merriman who continue to provide us with ways to improve the songs we are singing.

Just a reminder that we are performing two songs at the 100th anniversary of the end of World War 1 on Sunday 11 November 2018 at 2pm in the Benalla Town Hall. Also our end of year performances will be at Meet and Mingle on Wednesday 21 November 2018 at 10am at the Senior Citizens complex, and at Cooinda on Thursday 6 December 2018 at 10.30am.
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Margaret Jenkins

During August the new Kawai piano has been moved to the opposite end of the U3A room where we hold Singing for Fun. The advantage of this position is that the piano is not near the doorway into the room. With the change in position of the piano, the singers are now facing the parkland, and therefore have the advantage of being able to admire the view of the parkland between songs.

Our leader, Joyce Borschmann has provided members of the Singing Group with a number of dates to put in their calendars. The first date to note is Sunday 11 November 2018 at 2pm in the Benalla Town Hall. This day is the 100th anniversary of the end of World War 1, and the Singing Group has been asked to sing two songs at the commemorative service.

The dates for our end of year performances will be at Meet and Mingle on Wednesday 21 November 2018 at 10am at the Senior Citizens complex, and at Cooinda on Thursday 6 December 2018 at 10.30am.

Our leaders, Faith Hicks, Brian Greed and Margaret Merriman, supported by our pianist Gwen Barnes, continue to present us with a variety of songs which we enjoy.
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Margaret Jenkins

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