Acabellas | Public figure
Acabellas
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24.01.2022 A quick video and what a lovely frame for it to freeze on.....Thank you universe for that....
23.01.2022 Singing Sessions are on this week. You can book in here https://forms.gle/CKBnnRrtA2hkjFJJ6. Alternatively, SMS me to be added to the quick SMS booking system (include your name). Alternatively PM me. While things are settling and changing sessions will only be scheduled for the coming week. :)
20.01.2022 Happy 17th Birthday today to acabellas. So proud of you.Happy 17th Birthday today to acabellas. So proud of you.
17.01.2022 Earlier this year I was so pleased to have rich engagement in a study I conducted on the impact of group singing on emotional wellbeing. The participation was outstanding and exceeded expectation and I am so grateful to the anonymous respondents! Today I presented at the Australian College of Applied Psychology (ACAP) 2020 Online Conference. Thrilled to report I was the winner of the People's Choice Award for most inspiring piece of research. In addition I was runner up for the university judged Best Student Research. This work has been a labour of love for a couple of years and a touchstone through the cruel irony of 'no singing'! Standby for the publication of the research. More importantly, stand by singing. When we can we will....we will.
17.01.2022 Tomorrow at 7pm. Zoom code 399 583 2600
16.01.2022 I have had 3 dreams this week about leading singing groups. First in 6 months. Is it a sign? If so, was the dream where only one person came a sign? Or the one where I forgot my guitar a sign? Or the one where I had no keys to the venue but found an open door? Hang in there everyone. Sending good vibes.
14.01.2022 Hi everyone. I can see this page is being checked and I know you are all wondering about singing. So am I. I am in deep contemplation. Of course I am weighing up risk in its many forms...health, social and economic. It had been my sense this decision will not be mine to make. It bothers me that there is such inconsistency in advice. I also understand there are many motivations and concerns alive for everyone and we each need to make our own best decisions. Mine is to carry o...n. At this stage the groups will run. We meet all the criteria to continue as long as at an individual level we manage ourselves. I trust the people in our groups to opt out as needed. If you are opting in you are choosing to sing in a circle. You are choosing to offer into our community your presence, voice, connection and self care. I am choosing to hold with integrity all the values about group singing that are so vital to me. I am still thinking and planning ways to keep our community connected and singing in and out of our halls. Continually this info will be reconsidered and revised.
14.01.2022 Singing is back! 2 sessions Thursday 2 sessions Friday See www.acabellas.com.au for details.
14.01.2022 Please forgive multiple postings but such are the times. Tonight I will trial a new interim singing model with the Ocean Grove group. I am aware of many ways fellow leaders have worked with mixed success so my way will be another trial. After tonight no doubt we will adapt again, and then again. Stay tuned for how your regular group will be managed this week - be prepared for something different but at least it will be something. In order to move forward with the groups in this way I recommend everyone has a facebook profile. That is how I will try and work. If you think you could help a fellow singer set one up then that would be a great community service. I will then create private groups and see how we go. Good luck - your energy will assist so please get involved.
13.01.2022 Hello Everyone - I hope this finds you all well. There are certainly rumblings in the jungle now with varying levels of restrictions being eased in fairly inconsistent ways. Like me, I am sure you are wondering about the whens, whys and hows of singing. So I thought I'd let you know where I am at. Firstly, you will see many articles about singing and claims that singing as an activity has a high transmission risk. Often cited are examples of choirs quickly spreading the virus... after a rehearsal overseas. Critical thinking helps us see that these choir members were of course also circulating in communities where the virus was spreading. Being in a choir didn't give them coronovirus - circulating in a community with many cases did. My sense is that singing is becoming too quickly dismissed as "unsafe" and the studies supporting that claim aren't always relevant in many ways. In my view (our view here at home) the risk of transmission will be negated by a lack of virus in the community. We are nearly there. So, rather than try to institute a makeshift choir with masks or perspex screens let's just hold on a little longer. So, at this stage I am exploring a return plan. I need to give consideration to limiting numbers, shortening sessions and potentially changing times as well as implementing a new record keeping booking system. I don't have dates yet but I wanted to let you know I am in the planning phase. I am very involved in choir networks and listening carefully to what others are doing as well as contributing my practical efforts to sourcing a specific ruling on group singing from government health advisors. Until then...stay safe and in touch. We'll meet again :) See more
12.01.2022 Episode one of the Epic Pandemic Sessions happened last night and here is some feedback. "I just caught myself waving at the screen to say goodbye! I think that's an indication of how much I enjoyed singing in this format. I felt very connected through voice and memory and look forward to seeing what happens in the future. Using earphones was a great suggestion because it made me feel like I was with you and I was less conscious of my lone voice. Thank you, thank you, thank you!! "
12.01.2022 As we come to the end of the 3rd week of massive change I want to share gratitude with the acabellas community. All groups have migrated necessarily online...like walking on a tightrope with beasts below. And it happened. The greatest testimony has been the new blocks starting for a couple of groups this week and so many people strapping in for the ride. My mind excitedly flips to the future..to an end of year party where ..face to face...we gather and exclaim about what was.... That will be a while away...in the meantime...new singers and old singers...hop aboard Acabellas and help me float it over these peculiar waters. As Melanie Safka sang...some came to sing, some came to pray, some came to keep the dark away. Go well out there/in there. Acabellas.com.au is alive with song and news.
12.01.2022 Good Morning Singers! Normally at this time I am jumping in the car to head to Friday morning singing, to fling the doors open and have our huge circle ready to go at 9am. Missing that this morning from the couch, under this blankie where I chip away at an essay. Thinking of all the groups often - the faces, stories, sounds and songs and wonder when we might gather again? Feel free to say hi to your singing world here below. :)
11.01.2022 Good Morning. At Acabellas HQ there are 5 devices whirring away learning various ways to connect us all. Suprisingly, there are also new people wanting to join Acabellas at this time. Here are some tips about getting involved * Acabellas.com.au has been reset. Your 'home group' is all for you. If your home group has a password message me and I will help you if you don't know it. *If your home group is Friday morning, the new Thursday group or Fellas please consider 'Friday' y...our home group * Brand new singers and MANY MANY singers who want to return and connect - you are in the Friday group. Welcome. *The Friday group is running on an honour basket system. During the session and on the page you will be shown how to pay. Pay if you can, it won't be monitored. Anyone is welcome *At this stage the groups are NOT interactive. That means you can't see each other and really you will be singing with me. Please give it a go. * Other leaders have tried Zoom and it is not working well for the singing we do. I am constantly revising and trialling. At this point we are in 'retain and connect' phase. *Finally, please connect with others and encourage them. If you friend 'doesn't do the internet' invite them to your house at a social distance while you can and sing together to the video. Learning and adapting in the way we all are mirrors the experience of a child's brain development. We can do it. Www.Acabellas.com.au
10.01.2022 From 7pm - 8pm why not zoom some good company and a beautiful collection of songs for singing into your home. 399 538 2600. You are welcome.
10.01.2022 Hello to the Acabellas Community, I wish this message was bringing great news that 'we're back' or something similarly joyous but of course it doesn't. Simply, it's a message to say hello and send good wishes. Keeping in touch with everyone individually is so much harder remotely than when we have our little chats in person. All is well here. School is back for now, I am studying extra subjects and making the most of being without work and Libby continuing to work hard. With ...her job being frontline we self-isolate the rest of the time. Priority One: Let's all stay healthy. Priority Two: Back to singing when it is safe. There are no plans for a return to online format. I enjoyed providing that when we were in full lockdown but in my heart it was difficult for us all. In the meantime, stay well, be careful and gentle. It is not an easy time. Attached is a photo of an old pump organ in working order I have been asked to promote to you all. It's free of charge and looking for a loving home. I will pass the number on to you if you have serious interest but I can't answer any questions about it not being the owner myself. Very best wishes, Belinda See more
08.01.2022 Here's a fun project for singers
08.01.2022 Sending cosy greetings out to all the singers from the Acabellas community. Nearly 3 months now since we were suddenly consigned to our remoteness. Never in the world has there been more need to use our voices and to connect as a community which accents the difficulty of missing our groups. Every day I read the relevant advice, monitor what singing groups are doing around the world and listen out for the calling to re-wild when we can. Keep warm, stay well. Fondest regards, :) Belinda
08.01.2022 Hands up who spent 3 hours singing youtube karaoke into a zucchini (microphone) by themselves on Saturday night? Just me? Looking forward to sharing the singing love on Thursday morning and evening in Ocean Grove and Friday morning in Geelong.
08.01.2022 A heartwarming, tear jerking example of community isolation singing ..pandemic style...
07.01.2022 https://www.facebook.com/536483424/posts/10157846604498425/ Behind the scenes I spend at least 20 hours a week sourcing quality repertoire
06.01.2022 It is with exhausted mind and heart I sadly cancel Acabellas groups from now. I know every one will understand this decision and the amount of time, consultation and energy that has gone into it. From here I will think through how we can all stay connected. Do stay safe.
05.01.2022 "Shelter me..." Good Morning! Would you like to sing this morning 11am - Noon...I'll be in the garden, how about you? Hear what people have been saying.... "reconnecting with singing and Acabellas has been great"..."great to feel the connection"..."so good to be singing and laughing"....."so nice to reawaken my voice"...."I came for the singing but stayed for the jokes".... (Ok, the last one wasn't real'. ZOOM CODE TO JOIN MEETING is 399 583 2600
04.01.2022 What a year! The easing of restrictions has finally made the return of our acabellas singing groups a tangible possibility. I am sure you will understand that 2021 will not be a carbon copy of 2004-2019. Like all of us, I have needed to adapt, replace, reinvent and that also means reconsidering what I offer. With only a couple of weeks of the normal singing year left I have decided to finish the year online. Understandably, the online groups have attracted just a wee slice of... the wider singing community. All are welcome along for any or all of the final sessions of course. I will come back very early in the new year with summer spritz sessions. These will be one hour singing sessions with capped attendance and prebooking required. In the coming days the website will show booking forms and dates and you can select your singing diet. It is likely this will be the format for a few months so we can all establish some reconnection with singing and groups without a sense of over commitment. It looks like we can start with 20 singers per group and by beginning with this format we can gently expand and adapt in line with unfolding covid regulations. If this year of uncertainty has taught us anything it is to expect anything. So, please tell your friends that this is the plan and when bookings reopen perhaps you can do it with some friends. The times will not be the former days and times but there will options. What stays: singing in a circle with other people, the values, the fun, the warmth, the singing, the wonderful songs. What changes: shorter sessions, capped numbers, prebooking and prepayment, covid sage practices, venues as needed. Best wishes, Belinda
03.01.2022 As a sole trader/singing leader/ whatever you call it I have always known I had all my eggs in one basket. This week the basket was removed and I am stunned to see the eggs in mid air. Miracles. Acabellas singers...You are not alone. The photos, videos and messages have flowed all day. At 9am this morning individuals were huddled at computer screens entering the unknown and came out singing.... Thanks for telling me everyone...and in that spirit...i am sharing it back..please... know you are not alone. We are all holding this up. Thanks Deb for this poem you shared with me this week. In the dark times Will there also be singing? Yes, there will also be singing. About the dark times. Bertolt Brecht
03.01.2022 Good Evening. It is week 2 of Planet Un-normal. The oasis of Acabellas has helped me - what about you? Migrating on line is huge for all of us....we have karate classes in our house on line, uni classes, prep classes and of course singing. Whenever I get overwhelmed I think about when we all meet again and what that moment might feel like. Acabellas supports STAYING AT HOME. 100%. For those who are working on the frontline - we thank you and the best way we can support you and is to know our individual actions matter. Staying at home. If you would like a sing..an extra sing...a very first sing ever....visit Acabellas.com.au click Friday morning and ...Internet Willing...a session awaits you at 9am. Pay if you can..if you can't you had a shocker of a week so come for free. See you there.
03.01.2022 I am writing to the acabellas community about the virus we are all hearing a lot about. I have nothing to add to the sensible advice in circulation and I am well aware I am part of a very sensible singing community so you don't need me to add to that advice. The changes I can make to our circles are... A) opening up the card room to facilitate more spacious circles B) adapting warm ups to be conscious of touching faces and not expelling large breaths and sighs. That all said, there is an inevitability around this issue and I want to add a few things I have noticed and believe. 1. People are still coming to singing in droves for the reasons we hold dear 2. Singing promotes lung health which aids resilience 3. I will migrate with the times and when and if necessary form online singing groups where we can sing together and connect ssomehow. I am batting on of course, not only bc this is my livelihood but because I know at times of inner anxiety and social anxiety singing helps. I trust in our community to look out for ourselves and our wider circles. I trust that people who are sick are not attending singing and equally, trust that if someone needs to clear their throat we can appreciate that as a normal function. Healthy, hearty and hale wishes, Belinda
02.01.2022 This evening I have posted the last singing session for the week - the eighth week since we were sent to our rooms! I have produced over 40 hours of singing content with the aims of observing ritual, offering connection, attempting to energetically maintain 'groups' and keeping my faith in the power of singing. A huge number of singers have climbed aboard have provided so much support and encouragement when I feel like giving up. It is unknown when we return or what changes will occur when we do. Until then please know singing is still offered. Acabellas.com.au is updated daily. I hope all acabellas singers are doing well - take care out there :)
02.01.2022 Please always check www.acabellas.com.au before attending a group. The 10am session in Ocean Grove will be held outdoors at the venue. Acabellas will always adapt to the health restrictions of the day and this is likely to result in cancellations this week.
02.01.2022 ACABELLAS.com.au Friday morning page. A session awaits you......come along.
01.01.2022 We can add this one to the swathe of commentary on singing. 5 months cold turkey group singing.
