Ex-rocker joins former ballerina for feel-good concert

An upcoming concert in Adelaide will see an ex-rock singer taking the stage along with a former ballet dancer and more than 100 fellow choristers.

The Sing for Joy Choir, a community initiative managed by South Australian aged care provider ACH Group, will perform on Saturday, 17 June in its first concert since 2020.

Titled ‘Pure Imagination’, the concert features a set list of 17 popular songs of various genres, including “Walking on Sunshine”, “Don’t Worry Be Happy” and “Once Upon a December”.

“Edelweiss”, from The Sound of Music, is choir member Orietta Chiusamonti’s favourite song in the program.

“My mother was of German heritage, so this song takes me back to her and my family,” Orietta said.

From the mid-1980s to the early 2000s, Orietta was a singer and guitarist in rock bands performing throughout Australia and America.

“The first band I was in was The Twenty Second Set. I was 25 years old. We did quite well considering we were young. We looked up where our records were, and they had gone all the way to Canada. I was like, wow, that is so unbelievable. I didn’t realise how many people out there had our record,” she said.

“Then I moved to America, and I continued to be in many bands. I went to sing with girls, guys, whoever. It just was beautiful, and it was just music. We played all the time, enjoyed ourselves and travelled around the world. That’s what I wanted to do; it was a great time of my life,” she said.

Orietta, 61, who lives with dementia and vision impairment, has been a member of Sing for Joy for two years. “Singing has always been a big part of who I am and my identity. It makes me feel good.”

Audrey Walsh, 86, was persuaded to join Sing for Joy by a friend from a women’s group. When Audrey said “I can’t sing”, her friend replied “None of us can sing, but we learn to sing”. Audrey gave it a go and, seven years on, has no regrets.

“I think there’s life in the choir for people; it brings you to life to sing. It’s joy.”

Audrey Walsh. Image: Supplied

A ballet dancer until the age of 23, Audrey had been involved in music all her life but didn’t know much about written music.

“I really enjoy singing. I learned a lot about notes and breathing when joining the choir. Plus, I’ve enjoyed the people that you meet from all walks of life. I enjoy the performances too.”

Audrey said performing was exciting, exhausting and challenging. “I never thought it would mean so much to me, but it does. There’s one thing I don’t like to miss, and that’s the choir.”

With choir members aged in their 60s to 90s from six choirs from across metropolitan Adelaide, the performance will be guided by choir directors Paul Sinkinson and James McCluskey-Garcia.

ACH Group CEO Frank Weits said after a two-year break due to COVID, the ACH Group community is looking forward to seeing the Sing for Joy Choir perform once again.

“Many of our choir members have a background in musical theatre and are thrilled to perform again in a public concert,” Weits said.

“The choir is a popular choice in ACH Group’s range of social experiences. The choir supports the discovery of new interests and the opportunity to meet like-minded individuals and learn new skills in a way that is welcoming and fun.”

The concert will take place from 2–4 pm on 17 June 2023 at Magic Millions, 1 Park Terrace Morphettville.

For more information, visit: https://achgroup.org.au/event/pure-imagination/.

Top image caption: Orietta Chiusamonti. Image: Supplied