Kylie Daly is looking forward to leading the choir upstairs at the Union Hotel. Photo: Chris Roe.
Pub Choir is back in Wagga and local musos Kylie Daly and Geoff Simpson can’t wait to get the ‘band’ back together after a few bumpy post-COVID years.
The popular sing-a-long event will be held upstairs at the iconic Union Hotel on Wagga’s Baylis Street on Thursday (20 June) and Kylie said that anyone and everyone is welcome.
“We realise how much we missed it and how much the community missed it,” she said.
“I feel like people need this now because we’ve all gotten back into the grind and we’ve got back into that real busyness and I think we need to be reminded to take that opportunity just to stop for a bit. ”
Kylie is a veteran singer and musician and one of the cohort of performers who developed a love for the creative arts through Kooringal High School.
“I’m probably one of the old school who went to Kooringal High and grew up when John Rosengren and Peter Cox and all those amazing musical and dramatic influences were there,” she reflected.
“When I later returned to Wagga I was able to reconnect with so many phenomenal mentors here in town and we have such an incredible wealth of talent here.
“Geoff is certainly one of those and he’s someone I’ve played with on and off over the years.”
The formula for Pub Choir is simple and Kylie said that it’s all about having fun and connecting through music.
“We just pick two well known songs and we print out the words and allow people to get comfortable with it and then Geoff and I just run them through it,” Kylie said.
“Maybe we’ll create some basic harmonies if there’s a need for it, but really, it’s as basic as getting people comfortable and just having a sing and exploring the joy of music and what using your voice does to your whole body.”
Pub Choir returns this Thursday at the Union. Photo: Supplied.
The format will be fun and laid-back and the ability to actually sing is not mandatory.
“It doesn’t matter what you sound like and I have never ever once said, oh my goodness that does not sound any good, because with the choir, there’s this coming together, and a unity and connectedness that brings out this beautiful harmony,” Kylie said.
“We also guide you through it and have a laugh. As Geoff explains it – it’s like a meal where the meat is the melody, and the gravy on top is like the harmony, if someone can do that. So if you just want to just eat the meat on your plate, you just sing the melody.”
As for what they will sing, it remains a closely guarded secret until the night and choir members are encouraged to use the printed songsheets and overhead projection rather than put their heads in their phones.
“It’s a really connected room and it’s important that it’s a place that people feel comfortable to either come on their own or as part of a group, and you can bring the family along too if you like,” Kylie said.
“It’s something where the people that come are coming for a reason and you’re not just sitting there watching something, you’re actually participating. So it’s intentional, but it’s also casual enough that it’s a really beautiful place to meet people as well.
Pub Choir will be held upstairs at the Union Club Hotel on Thursday (20 June) from 6 pm.
Loading ...
