Willoughby multicultural community choir, Beating Time, welcomes all seniors that are looking to have fun, improve their well-being and spread joy through singing.
Every Monday morning, music fills up the halls of the Dougherty Community Centre in Chatswood. Melodies and voices blend with laughter and anecdotes, a special moment of the week when members of Beating Time, a local multicultural choir, get together to make more than music.
Yvonne McLeod – known to all as ‘Von’ – has been part of Beating Time for 17 years. To her, singing in a choir is much more than entertainment. It is a great instrument to improve well-being, she says.
“Singing in a choir has many health benefits: physical, mental and emotional. Especially for seniors,” Von says. “And our members very much enjoy the community spirit, friendship and opportunity to work with others who share a love for singing.
“I think it is of benefit to the community to see its senior members still enjoying an activity and working to improve their skills and achieve a high standard of performance.”
Beating Time was originally known as the Sydney U3A choir (a nod to its University of the Third Age beginnings). Members have been rehearsing in the Dougherty Centre for over 10 years. In 2015, the choir was renamed Beating Time when Von was elected president and Margot McLaughlin, one of Sydney’s most respected musicians, was appointed director of music.
The choir has a varied repertoire and has performed at local functions such as Meals on Wheels social lunches, citizenship ceremonies, Community of Choirs, and the Blackheath Choir Festival.
“We have enjoyed many happy memories; but two which stand out are our performances at the Blackheath Choir Festival in 2022 and this year’s Willoughby Seniors’ Gala Concert at the Zenith Theatre,” Von remembers.
Beating Time has opened its doors to every senior since its inception, and is a great opportunity for any music lover to share their passion, Von says. “Willoughby and the North Shore is home to residents from many countries, and the choir is now representative of these cultures, all very happily singing together.”
The choir rehearses in the auditorium at the Dougherty Centre from 12.30-2.40 on Mondays from February to December, public holidays excepted. The rehearsal is open to anyone who wants to hear them sing.
Spacing requirements has limited the choir’s numbers, but interested singers, especially tenors, male or female, should get in touch.
For more information, contact Von McLeod, 0431434105, 99683550, or mcleod@optusnet.com.au.