Singing in public might sound daunting to some, but for a group of men in Canberra joining a choir has become a source of fellowship and purpose. The group has no audition requirements and for many members it's their first experience performing.
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00:00These men are savouring the spotlight, but for many, singing is a passion they've found
00:14later in life.
00:15I'd rather be in the coffin or something instead of singing in front of people, but I'm not
00:20quite as bad as that now.
00:22The Canberra Men's Choir has been entertaining crowds for almost four decades.
00:27I saw a Facebook ad which said no audition required and I thought, well this sounds perfect.
00:33And I came along with knocking knees, great trepidation.
00:37The group rehearses every week, comprised of 40 men from a range of backgrounds.
00:46We get men who've been wanting to sing in a choir for 50 years and then they come along
00:51here and they find everyone really inclusive and really welcoming.
00:56For 82-year-old Mal Barnett, learning to hit the right notes is only part of the appeal.
01:02If you don't play golf or you're not a bowler or you're not interested in footy or anything
01:06like that, you can become sort of trapped in your own environment and you become sort
01:11of lost, whereas with a choir it gives you a purpose.
01:15An ability to read sheet music isn't necessary.
01:19I'm vision impaired, I can't even read music now.
01:24All my participation in the choir is orally, through my ears.
01:29While the choir skews towards retirees, it's struck a chord with some younger members.
01:35Really it's for all ages, it's a tenor bass choir so your voice needs to have broken but
01:39other than that it's fine.
01:41It's just awesome fellowship, it really is fun.
01:44Offering camaraderie and connection and a chance to take centre stage.
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