I am including the wider list as I don't want to miss anyone.
I have created a Google doc for everyone to access, which we will continue to populate with information and further resources moving forward and responding to FAQs.
It includes links to revisions of choral parts, additional instrumental parts (with more to come soon), the program order, schedule/venue details, links to marketing collateral and more.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nhR4oBNxmHfRkE6D62yFarTpIr5QrGvUpan81Ajbx6U/edit?usp=sharing
REHEARSALS THIS WEEK
We have a combined rehearsal on Saturday 21 June, 1-4PM, starting in the Recital Hall.
Currently there are no extra rehearsals this week (which will allow me to continue to refine/produce music resources).
NEW ENDING FOR "THIS DAY"
I have arranged a new ending. I will soon provide music PDFs and audio.
FLYERS & POSTCARDS TO DISTRIBUTE
These should be ready by Wed 17 June and will be on campus. Please let us know if you can collect some to distribute, especially on or near:
- ACU campus (e.g., noticeboards)
- St Patrick's Cathedral (e.g., nearby businesses)
- Melbourne CBD, especially any tourist spots
- Preston Market and vicinity (some huge flyers will be going up soon, officially)
Banners etc. are provided in our marketing collateral and below I've pasted our media release. Feel free to customise for your friends, family etc.
Media release:
ACU Big Sing for a Big Cause back for 2025
Australian Catholic University’s Big Sing for a Big Cause will return in 2025 with two fundraising concerts for mental health and wellbeing advocacy in June.
Presented by ACU in partnership with St Patrick's Cathedral (Melbourne) and Preston Market, the 2025 Big Sing for a Big Cause will benefit non-profit health organisations Orygen and headspace.
Organised and conducted by ACU Senior Lecturer in Education (Music) Dr Kathleen McGuire, this will be the community choir and orchestra’s second year performing concerts in Victoria following their outstanding debut last year. It is being funded by a grant from the Australian Government's Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Program.
The ACU Melbourne choir, comprising students, staff and alumni, will be joined by Justice Choir Naarm, La Trobe University Choral Society, the Pasefika Vitoria Choir (Friday only), and the acclaimed Manando State University Choir from North Sulawesi, Indonesia. The 2025 performances will also debut ACU’s new community orchestra.
The concert program will feature the Australian premiere of The Mental Health Suite for orchestra by Autumn Maria Reed, and You Are Enough: A Mental Health Suite for choir by Aron Accurso and Rachel Griffin, better known as YouTube sensation Miss Rachel.
It will also include a performance of This Day by Australian musician and founder of Pub Choir, Astrid Jorgensen, and music from the award-winning musical and film, Dear Evan Hansen.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ 2024 National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing, 42.9 per cent of people aged 16–85 years experienced a mental disorder at some time in their life, while 38.8 per cent of people aged 16–24 years reporting having a 12-month mental disorder.
Dr McGuire, who has worked with community choirs in Australia and the United States of America and several other countries for more than 40 years, said this year’s repertoire would feature music with reassuring and uplifting messages, showcasing the power of music in overcoming global crises like mental health.
"Big Sing for a Big Cause brings people together to experience an inspiring, international program of voices and instruments, raising awareness and lifting spirits," said Dr McGuire.
"Audiences will leave with a sense of supportive reassurance through messages like 'You Are Enough' and 'You Are Not Alone.'
“We are excited to raise funds for two amazing, world-leading mental health organisations which support young people in Melbourne and Australia."
The ACU Big Sing project debuted in 2024 raising $20,000 for people affected by homelessness services in Victoria. The 2024 concerts coincided with the 10th anniversary performance of Street Requiem For Those Who Died On The Street by Dr McGuire, Jonathon Welch and Andy Payne.
The ACU Big Sing for a Big Cause followed other ACU community choir projects including the No Excuses Women's Choir in 2021, which drew attention to family and domestic violence and raised funds for Impact for Women.
Dr McGuire is leading longitudinal research investigating transformational learning through issues-based, co-curricular music engagement in higher education, considering the impact of community projects, with the ACU Big Sing for a Big Cause selected as a case study.
Dr McGuire will present the research at the ACU and DePaul Conference on Community Engagement at ACU North Sydney in July.
The 2025 ACU Big Sing for a Big Cause will be held on Friday 27 June, 7PM, at St Patrick's Cathedral Melbourne and livestreamed, and Saturday 28 June, 6PM, at Preston Market.
Tickets start at $9 or free for agencies and clients involved with mental health support services. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. The venues have disability access. Auslan interpretation will be available for the Friday performance.
For more information on ticketing and to view the concert program visit the ACU Big Sing for a Big Cause ticketing page.
Thanks, everyone!
See you Saturday (if not before).
Kathleen