A NEW Christmas Gala Dinner in the Redlands is set to put local talent centre stage, from budding young vocalists to singers rebuilding their confidence after life-changing illness, in what organisers hope will become a joyful annual tradition.
Vocal coach and long-time music educator Anita Taylor is behind the event, which will be held at Sheldon College’s Horizons centre and feature 20 soloists selected from 37 auditions, along with group performances from her student body and the community choir Rise and Resonate.
Ms Taylor said the gala was about far more than festive entertainment as many of her students were stroke or Parkinson’s survivors using singing as a pathway back to speech, confidence and connection.
“I’m working with students aged four to 89,” she said.
“Some of them are learning privately, others are in groups like Rise and Resonate.
“They’re using singing and music to help them and for some, it’s actually helping them speak again.”
The program is deeply personal for Ms Taylor, who survived a stroke at 39 and later watched her mother lose her speech after a severe stroke.
She said singing became a lifeline for both of them.
“In the morning she has to sing to bring her speech back properly,” Ms Taylor said. You can see the difference before and after.
“That’s the kind of person I’m working with in this group.”
Recent research she completed at the Queensland Conservatorium has strengthened her mission.
“They’ve discovered the brain can increase in size with singing,” she said.
“It doesn’t just help emotionally; it prevents brain shrinkage as we get older.
“You don’t have to be a brilliant singer, even singing in the shower helps.”
The Christmas Gala Dinner will be fully catered, open to the public and include audience carolling and end of night karaoke.
Ms Taylor hopes the night will encourage more people, especially boys and men, to embrace singing without fear of judgement.
“This gives local singers an opportunity to share their gifts with the community,” she said.
“They might never go on TV, but they’ll bring joy to the people around them.”
Tickets are already selling with 200 seats available for what Ms Taylor describes as “a theatre ball experience filled with music, courage and Christmas spirit.”
