Thousands have participated in ABC Classic’s virtual choir, learning a new song by Katie Noonan, which was premiered in a video and recording of the full choir, released on 17 December.
Loading...In November 2021, the ABC’s classical music network put out the call for people to join the Classic Choir and record themselves singing Noonan’s new song, All is Love, which was commissioned especially for the project.
The final video features people of all ages from across Australia, and from around the world, singing alongside AVÉ Australian Vocal Ensemble: Fiona Campbell, Katie Noonan, Andrew Goodwin, Andrew O’Connor, with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra conducted by Luke Dollman. Through the choir journey, members were guided by Choir Director Michelle Leonard OAM, and their favourite ABC Classic presenters.
Learning the song as COVID-19 restrictions impacted much of the country, many sang alone, or in household groups. Some sang with photos of the loved ones they’ve been missing through the pandemic, and a few choirs were able to get together to record as a group, some donning face masks in a nod to the experiences of the past two years.
Katie Noonan’s song focussed on the themes of family and home: “Whatever family is to you. Your chosen family, your birth family, or your rainbow family. All is love,” says Noonan. Noonan’s lyrics reflected the many places people find home which was apparent in the videos the choir submitted, with members singing from dining tables, living rooms, a church, nature, and even someone’s shed.
ABC Classic first ran the choir in 2020, to bring people together during the pandemic. Many singers returned to join the choir in 2021, such as Caoimhe and her parents Conor and Kathy, who loved the excuse to sing together as a family. ABC’s Recovery star Dylan Lewis also joined again, saying:
“I loved Classic Choir last year. And I’m back for more. It is magical.”
Many joined to connect with loved ones they have been separated from. Fiona hasn’t been able to see her daughter for 18 months: “I thought this was a good way to give her a little surprise for Christmas.” Stephanie has returned home to Australia after living abroad for 16 years. She joined with her daughter Lila, and sang for Lila’s dad, who will arrive in Australia just before Christmas. “We are so happy to be home with our Australian family this Christmas (the first in many years), and singing together has just put us in the mood for a wonderfully together Christmas!” says Stephanie. For Tara:
“I work in healthcare, and it’s been a really difficult couple of years…Katie Noonan’s song is just incredible. And then practicing with my son Hamish was just wonderful as well.”
Others came together with loved ones in person to share their love of music. Elisabeth sang with her mum Rosemary, from Rosemary’s nursing home. A music teacher and choir conductor, Rosemary had a stroke in 2017, which makes it hard for her to speak, but according to her daughter “…music helps her find the words.” Nicole, who sang with her boys, aged seven and four says: “I wanted to give them the same feeling of inclusion and togetherness and just everything that singing brings.”
Some joined for the chance to join a choir for the first time. Barb thought, “There’ll be so many other people singing it won’t matter how bad I am.” Frances was an absolute beginner and felt encouraged to give it a go. “I don’t have to go anywhere. I don’t have to do anything. I felt like it was an achievement,” she expressed. And Mark started with the choir in 2020, but didn’t submit his video, “…which has been a regret” he said. He resolved to make sure he sent in a video this year. “I have enjoyed being part of a wider group of choristers, even if I cannot see them.”
Like Mark, many members expressed that the choir helped them feel part of a bigger community. Mother and daughter duo Jan and Erin joined this year, after Jan enjoyed last year’s choir so much:
Loading...“I’ve felt like I was part of a huge community…It makes you feel like you’re a part of something bigger.”
To make the choir accessible to more communities this year, ABC Classic released the choir song in Braille Ready Files and in a Mandarin translation. Mary and her daughter Jolene joined the choir after her husband, Liu Jian Ping (known as Jack) heard about it on the ABC’s WeChat account. The trio usually busk on Swanston Street in Melbourne, performing their own compositions in Chinese. Jolene expressed how much the song resonated with her. “We have so many pressures in life, but family give us peace of mind, give us the sense of happiness. It’s exactly what family means to me.”
Soprano Ria Andriani, who recently hosted ABC Classic's series exploring the experiences of musicians with disability, said of the process: “I love the fact I can fully participate in ABC's virtual choir with the braille score and a very good learning track.”
All is Love is available to watch on the ABC Classic website, iview, Facebook, YouTube. Get the the full list of participants.
The song will be released by ABC Classic to buy and stream in early 2022, featuring the Classic Choir with AVÉ Australian Vocal Ensemble and the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra conducted by Luke Dollman.
The choir also featured artwork by Wadawurrung artist Deanne Gilson, Nyirram turt-barram (Morning Star), which was commissioned by ABC Classic in 2020.