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Music has been a constant in Leo Falasca’s life, including being involved with choirs and musical theatre growing up in Brazil.
For him, singing is about community – both bringing people together to sing, and potentially turning that into live performance.
Since he moved to New Zealand, six years ago, Leo, who lives in Ōrewa, has been working hard as a digital marketing tutor, but he says the time is now right to “spark that musical fire again”.
When his wife Carol joined the Muse women’s choir, he says he was a bit jealous, which is why he is now starting a men’s choir, also under the Muse banner.
He says men can gain a lot from singing together, as music has many positive spinoffs.
“Being in a group, you support, learn from, and challenge each other, as well as having fun,” Leo says. “Everyone has a role to play in the combined voices of a choir.”
“As I have found myself, we can become so stuck or focused on our family or profession with one goal in mind, and having an escape in music can be so beneficial.”
Any male of any age is welcome to come along, whether a trained vocalist or ‘shower singer’. Leo will be choir director, but also coach all the singers to be their best.
“If you want to develop your choral skills, or just enjoy singing, give it a try,” he says. “The idea is for the choir to provide a platform for a wide range of skills. The part I enjoy most is integrating people who were still learning because they were the ones where you can see the growth and changes happening. Hopefully we can take people on a journey and experiment.”
He says it could grow into concerts and shows for the community, if that’s what people want. “You can participate just as a hobby, or maybe we can look at singing on special occasions like Christmas or Father’s Day – anything to challenge us and help us learn.”
Leo says that men interested in joining the Muse men’s choir can expect to sing a diverse repertoire from musical theatre tunes and modern contemporary to traditional classics and hymns as well as soul and barbershop.
Men can expect rehearsals and performances to be fun, provide a social outlet and be a positive release.
“It really does get the endorphins going,” he says. “Men can expect to experience something new, taking their love of music to another level. I think choir members will find that they upskill in multiple ways.”
Choir practices start September 11. Info: email admin@museandcoacademy.co.nz or phone 0800 MUSE CO.
