Shake Rattle & Roll Choir

31/03/2023

Just letting everyone know we have moved the choir back to 17 James Street, Charlestown. Newcastle NSW. We meet same day Tuesday 1.30 - 3.30pm.
April 11th is World Parkinson's Day - if you would like to come along and meet us we will be having a special Parki Day gathering on that day at James Street.

09/03/2023

The amasing and wonderful Shake Rattle & Roll Choir are up and singing again. We bade farewell to the talented and very supportive Musical Director Ellery Durrant who has gone to Melbourne to farther his career. In his place we have the delightful Gabby Newland who is multi talented - she can play the guitar, the piano, has a beautiful voice and is also our conductor. We have several new members who already can feel the benefits of singing to their health and happiness.
We have some great new songs to uplift us and the best news is that we have returned to our old venue 17 James Street, Charlestown which has easier access to the hall and easy parking.
So what are you waiting for - come and be part of this supportive, friendly and fun group who just LOVE to SING.
We range in ages from 40's to 70's and welcome people from all parts of the world, gender and backgrounds. We also welcome people with neurological problems other than Parkinson's.

Tuesday 1.15 - 3.15 ( afternoon tea provided) ( $5
What are you waiting for ( no audition) emphasis is on having FUN

More info needed - contact Sandra Elms ( organiser)
[email protected] 0405441150

11/03/2022

After 2 years of Covid which affected the Choir considerably we seem to be, at last, returning to a more stable number of participants. There is no doubt that singing together is good for one - both physically and mentally. There is considerable evidence from research programs all over the world that singing is beneficial to the health of people with Parkinson's and also people suffering with dementia. I have read a great deal on this subject and we are trialing the admission to the choir of some people with dementia. So far the results are promising.
I would like to acknowledge the commitment to the choir of our recently established Musical Director Ellery Durant who is following in the giant footsteps of Stephanie Priest, Tim Hall, Andrew Hermon, Eden and Sophie who have given time, effort and joy to the choir in the past. Without them there would not have been a choir and we would have been the 'poorer' because of it. Thank you also to pianists who have helped keep us going particularly Daniel Collard our current pianist.
I would like to thank all the members of the choir, past and present and those people who are no longer with us for being part of the Shake Rattle & Roll Choir. I have been the organiser of the choir since its beginning and I feel privileged to be able to call those associated with the choir 'FRIENDS'.

Sandra Elms

PS Watch for information about a High Tea being organised in June to showcase the Choir, Art Therapy Group and the Dance for PD groups.

15/02/2022

After a break for summer holidays the choir finally met again on Feb. 8th. Several members had spent an afternoon sorting out the song sheets and we have started with everyone being handed a file with copies of our chosen 12 songs for this session.
What was far more important was the happiness in the faces of members of the choir as once again we let music and singing be a very important part of our lives. There is so much research going on around the world promoting Singing and Health for people with neurological disorders though personally I believe that music and singing is so important for EVERYONE.
Do come along and join in the fun - we have a new and wonderful Musical Director, a talented piano player, and a group of caring, friendly, fun and amasing group of people. Why spend Tuesday afternoon doing nothing when you could join in the fun.

Sandra Elms ( choir organiser) 0405441150

10/02/2021

It is with great sadness I tell you that we have had to say farewell to another of our choir group. Our delightful and loving Dot Walllington, the maker of so many jars of jam and pickles, the star of the report of the Parkinson's choir, by the ABC 7.30 show in 2019 , died on Sunday.
Dot loved coming to the choir with her carer Robyn MacDonald and really enjoyed singing with our previous conductor Andrew Hermon. One of her favourite songs he conducted was "over the Rainbow". i will remember her stories of going to Wales UK for her holidays and reciting for us the numbers 1 - 10 in the Welsh language. Rest in Peace our dear Dot.

17/12/2020

Last Friday several members of the choir went to say farewell to one of our members ,Bart Byrne, and to be part of the Celebration of his life. It is always lovely to hear more about the life of someone we knew as a member of the Shake Rattle & Roll Choir. For us Bart will be remembered as the person who had a truely wonderful voice, in fact we often would say the one who really knew how to sing. He was always cheerful and never once complained about the illness he suffered, both Parkinson's and cancer. He was such a kind and considerate person and it was a privilege to hear about his role as Father and Grandfather.
Like the other members of the choir who are no longer with us Bart will be remembered as a special person and our "friend"

22/11/2020

Looking forward to our Christmas Lunch on Tuesday Dec. 1st at 17 James Street, Charlestown, 1.0pm onwards.
We need to have some fun, sing some songs and try to forget what a troublesome year this has been and hope that 2021 will prove to be a much more positive year for us all.
For those members of the choir - past and present - who cannot make the lunch we hope to see you all when we return next year.
My love and hope for a less painful and troublesome year in 2021 for you all.
Sandra

22/11/2020

A morning spent selling jams and small gifts especially made by Robyn McDonald and Lynda Stretton at the Adamstown Markets. The purpose was to raise funds for the Newcastle Parkinson's Choir. Thank you so much for giving up your Sunday morning, Lynda and Russell for being such a fun and helpful contributor to the occasion. Only Russell could manage to get so many people to stop and have a laugh and in so doing we managed to raise awareness of the Choir, the Support Group and raise $220 to help the choir.
Sandra Elms

22/11/2020

https://www.abc.net.au/7.30/choir-giving-a-voice-to-people-living-with/11040726https://www.abc.net.au/7.30/choir-giving-a-voice-to-people-living-with/11040726

A choir is giving a voice to people living with Parkinson's disease. Participants have found that singing helps slow down some of the effects of the degenerative condition that affects control of body movements.