THE Bellingen Singers Community Choir are performing at the Taranta Festival in Bellingen on 4 and 5 November.

The Festival is a celebration of Mediterranean arts and culture, combining international, interstate and local talent with exceptional gastronomic experiences and exciting workshop opportunities.

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Choir director Hayley Egan is excited to be involved.

Hayley also sings with the ‘Santa Taranta’ band and laments how community arts suffered enormously during the pandemic.

“Choirs ceased to be in Bellingen during COVID,” she told News Of The Area.

“I saw an opening for a mixed, inclusive community choir who would thrive on the connection and release through singing.”

Hayley has received a grant to help launch the choir – partly funded by Arts Mid North Coast and the NSW Government.

The funding enables her to cover costs to stage events and provide workshops to enhance the choir’s ability, including tuition from Brisbane choirmaster Ricardo Bonna and others.

Hayley has always been attracted to folk music because of its oral tradition.

“People sang in daily life for every reason, including soothing babies, or going to work,” she said.

WIth the choir up and running, more members are being sought – particularly those with deep voices.

“We have lots of fun from the get-go and are looking for more men to join.”

Tenor, baritone and bass parts will stay as one generic part until enough deep voices are found.

As the music is taught orally, one doesn’t need to know how to read musical notes.

“I learnt it is easier to not have paper to look at, as one becomes dependent.

“Then you have to overcome that to be able to memorise,” she said.

To join, contact Hayley on hayley.j.egan@gmail.com.

By Mary KEILY