Celebration Sing Out! 2025
Announcing Notes@Knox Wednesdays Extra
Newsletter #6
Tuesday 12th August

Warami (Welcome) to Celebration Sing Out! 2025

From the land of the Burramattagal of the Eora Nation
We share the healing power of great choral and orchestral music.
Brett Weymark, OAM, Patron
Mal Hewitt OAM, Music Director

TECHNICAL HITCH SOLVED
for Notes@Knox
Wednesdays Extra

There was a flurry of messaging and sighs of disappointment last Wednesday night for Notes@Knox, when the permanent link was blocked due to an unforeseen technical issue. Not only were singers from Sydney to Perth unable to join the rehearsal, but it could not be videoed either.

Enter the Knox Tech Crew, who with Warren were able to solve the issue. Testing shows even better quality and also Warren will, from now on, make a video separately to the WebCast, for posting online.

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So, here are the rehearsal details for this week!

Notes@Knox Wednesdays Extra
for Secondary Students and Adult Singers

(Optional for all)
ONE HOUR on WEDNESDAYS 7:30 - 8:30pm,
Live@Knox and Webcast

These weekly rehearsals are live-streamed [Click Here] and supported with live rehearsals led by the Webcast at North Parramatta and some regional centres.

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VENUE 1:
Knox Performing Arts Centre, Choir Room.
You can collect your music book there.

When: This Wednesday 13th August, 7:30 - 8:30pm

Enter: Knox Grammar, via Woodville Avenue, Wahroonga

Parking: Available in the underground carpark.
There are stairs to climb!

Once there:
Enter Foyer of the building on the left of Woodville Avenue.

The rehearsal room is up the stairs, on the left hand end.
Listen for the joyful hubbub to zoom in!

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ADDITIONAL SYDNEY VENUE

Meet at North Parramatta (John's place)
You can collect your music book here too.
Rehearse together, whilst sharing the video streaming from Knox.
Maximum 10 people, in order of RSVPs.

When: This Wednesday 6th August, 7:30 - 8:30pm
Address: Unit 6, 74 Grose Street, North Parramatta.
RSVP: Text John on 0429928995 so that he can expect you, and send you arrival instructions.
John will supply tea and instant coffee,
with soy and dairy options (or bring wine if that is
your style!).
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Catch up on YouTube
[For those unable to attend, and for revision]

The video of each live stream will be posted within seven days of each live rehearsal.

MUSIC BOOKS
NOW AVAILABLE

Here's how to get yours.

At North Parramatta
Collect from John at his place, Unit 6 74 Grose Street North Parramatta. Arrange your pick up by 0429928995, phone or email.
By Post
Email your request with postal address and Mal will post your music book to you.

PERMANENT LINK
Microsoft Teams
FOR ALL LIVE STREAMING
Use this link for all online rehearsals
CLICK HERE

PRO TIPS for SINGERS
for getting the best out of the resources

Stream from the website on your phone or computer

Download to your favourite device or media app.

Listen
Listen, listen and listen some more. In a relaxed, informal manner, enjoy the sound of the repertoire, Play it in your car, while you walk, while you rest etc., or simply sit and enjoy.

Install the free Spotify App so you can enjoy the Spotify Playlist.

Watch videos of sample performances.

Sing along with any notes you wish, just for the thrill.

Watch
Watch the sample performances. Sing along if you wish. Any notes.

Watch the scrolling score videos for The Armed Man,

Follow
Text and Rhythm
Open your sheet music (score) and play a guide track or sample performance and follow the words with your finger.
Repeat this and start saying the words with the recording.
Repeat, but this time start to observse the patterns of the rhythm notation. Don't worry if you can't read them. Just observe.

Text and Pitch
Open your sheet music (score) and play a guide track or sample performance and follow the words with your finger. This time observe the rise, fall and silences in the pitch notation. Follow that rise and fall with your hand in the air.
Start to sing any passages that become familiar to you. Find sections that are the same, and that are different.

Respond with a Dance
Play a selected recording or guide track and create some movements or dance in response to the music. You might want to sing along or clap some of the rhythms.

Invent Games
Be creative, and invent games or your own composition using thye words, rhythms and picthes. Mix it up.

Share
How was it? Share your learning experiences with us by email, for posting in the newsletter. What's working, what's not working? Got a new idea? Please share!

HAPPY SINGING!

WHAT'S ON

Notes@Knox Wednesdays Extra - Every Wednesday of the school term
Primary Choirs Workshop Day - September, TBA
Concert Day - Draft Itinerary CLICK HERE

ENCOURAGE MORE SINGERS

Numbers have passed 120, but there is still room on the stage, so please encourage more singers.

Here's your 8 point pitch to your friends, family, work mates etc:

Only one "must-attend" day for final rehearsal and the performance.
All other note learning and rehearsal is online, "in your space and at your pace".
The Green Room Sheet music, audio and video resources are AWESOME! Loads of Spotify and YouTube goodness, even with some animated scores.
The Repertoire is accessible and inspiring. Many singers already know one or more of the pieces. We modify parts to help you through any sections you may find overly challenging.
Loads of support if you're not a confident music reader, starting out or getting back into singing. Just ask.
You are singing with secondary students, and sharing the joy of singing and showing them leadership.
Singing in the choir boosts our sense of wellbeing, as well as raising much needed funds for the wellbeing and health of children who are isolated, away from home and experiencing pain or distress from their illness or injury, in the children's Hospital at Westmead.
With Brett, Mal and Warren leading the choir, it's an all-star line-up out the front.

See what you can manage :)
Direct them to Sing With Us, the dedicated singer registration page.

Got an idea to encourage more singers? Please feel free to share it with Mal or John. EMAIL US

KNOW THE WEBSITE
Your "Go to" for CSO! 2025 information and activities,
with everything you need to know and do
for your Celebration Sing Out! 2025 journey

The website is choc full of goodness. It gets updated frequently with refreshed content and clearer layout. Click around the menus and links, and check it all out.

Here are some important web pages for now:

Sing With Us The dedicated singer registration page. Send the link to people you invite to join us. More than 65 choirs represented in CSO! in 2024!
Green Room - Secondary and Adult Choirs Learn the Secondary and Adult Choir music here: In place, online and catch up rehearsal details, print music, guide tracks, Spotify playlist and sample performances.
Rehearsal Information and Organisation Dates, Times, Venues, Streaming links and more
Past and current Newsletters

HAPPY SINGING!

Email us
celebrationsingout@gmail.com
USE THE SUBJECT LINE:
For the Newsletter or Website

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UNIT 6, 74 Grose Street
North Parramatta, NSW, 2151
Australia

Celebration Sing Out! 2025Announcing Notes@Knox Wednesdays ExtraNewsletter #6Tuesday 12th August

TECHNICAL HITCH SOLVEDfor Notes@KnoxWednesdays Extra