More than 1,500 singers have joined voices to premiere a new Australian Christmas carol by Yorta Yorta composer, Deborah Cheetham, as part of ABC Classic’s virtual choir.
In November 2020, the ABC’s classical music network put out the call for people to join the Classic Choir and record themselves singing Cheetham's new carol, Christmas With You, which was commissioned especially for the project.
The final video features people of all ages from every state and territory in Australia, and from around the world.
Many sang alone, or in household groups. Some sang with photos of the loved ones they’re missing this Christmas. Many donned Christmas-themed outfits, including a fully dressed Santa in front of a snow-covered background.
The video also features artwork by Wadawurrung artist Deanne Gilson which was commissioned for the project.
Choir members included life-long singers alongside people singing in a choir for the first time. “It's no small task to film yourself singing solo: it's confronting even for the professionals,” said soprano and ABC Classic presenter Greta Bradman. She applauded the efforts of everyone who took part.
For some choir members, singing in the choir was a way to come together as a family and switch off from the worries of life during the pandemic. For Caoimhe in Victoria, who sang with her parents:
“It felt like a normal 2020. I really didn’t think about COVID at all. And it’s nice for all of us to sing it together and it brought lots of family into our lives,”
For others, it was about connecting with family and friends that they couldn't see due to COVID-19 restrictions. Others had been missing the joys of singing in their regular choir wanted a way to sing with others. Dylan Lewis, star of the ABC TV program Recovery during the 90s, said of joining the choir:
“Even though it was a virtual experience I still had that feeling of singing with other people again and being part of something bigger.”
Singers sent in their videos after weeks of at-home practice and online rehearsals hosted by ABC Classic presenters with Australian conductor Benjamin Northey.
Singers told ABC Classic the journey was an emotional one, and many of the videos show people crying by the end of the carol.
Christmas With You is available to watch on the ABC Classic website, Facebook, and YouTube.
The carol has also been released by ABC Classic to buy and stream featuring the Classic Choir with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra conducted by Nathan Aspinall.