Reaching for the stars: our STAR-beat choir does it again

Two days in the recording studio, courtesy of the WDEA Charitable Trust, allowed Adam B Metal to share some mixing skills know-how with STAR-beat’s Greg, Bruce, Jenny and Eila.

STAR-beat in action.

General

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

South West Healthcare’s 2011 Mental Health Week celebrations hit the high notes tomorrow when our Mental Health Services’ STAR-beat choir releases its latest album.

The title track of Share the Beat, a follow up to their 2009 debut album, Thank you for the Music, is a STAR-beat original. Written in collaboration with Phil Heutzenroeder of Bi-polar Bears fame, you’ll be one of the first to hear it by attending the 2pm launch at the OEC Conference Centre (SW TAFE).

STAR-beat – an enthusiastic mix of SWH Mental Health Services clients and staff – has gone from strength to strength with choir mistress Brooke Williamson leading her charges on a memorable musical marathon. There’s been dozens of public performances, a finalist nomination at the prestigious 2010 WDEA Social Inclusion Awards, the awarding of a WDEA Charitable Trust grant and the serenading, last month, of Minister for Mental Health, Mary Wooldridge.

It’s no coincidence the album is to be launched during Mental Health Week,’ says SWH Mental Health Services’ Service Development and Support Unit Manager Jodi Bateman. ‘Singing in a group bridges the divide between people and is great for your mental health.’

On top of Share the Beat, the new EP features well-loved favourites including *Most people I know (think that I’m crazy), Lean on me, Rockin’ Robin and Don’t worry be happy. From the launch on, the EP will sell for $5 wherever the choir’s performing, on iTunes and in SWH’s Warrnambool Base Hospital Supply Shop.

This latest musical achievement is the result of some terrific support provided by WDEA, SWH Mental Health Services’ Phil Heutzenroede, Bi-polar Bears’ Jonathan Cox, NOISE music studios and Adam B Metal.

*Go to http://youtu.be/r8i_qbEhwFA for their 2011 Mental Health Week Flash mob appearance at Warrnambool's Target foyer.