Above: The All Stars performing at Billanook College in the Alan Ross Centre, December 2022
The All Stars Choir has been active in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne since 2003. Whilst numbers have fluctuated over that time, today around 30 participants meet on a Wednesday morning at TLC - 265 Canterbury Road, Bayswater North, to share their mutual love of music and their zest for life. From 10am till 11.30am. In 2015, newly appointed choir master and Dandenong Ranges musician, Stewart Kohinga, recognized the need to create a more sustainable business model for the choir. In the same year Stewart was joined by Eastern City Blues band founding member Captain Ian Green. The Captain, as he is affectionately called is a Captain in the Australian Army Reserve. Captain Ian has since spearheaded the development of a sustainable business model for the choir to ensure it continues to serve the community for years to come. In 2016, All Stars Choir was incorporated in Victoria as a not-for-profit incorporation. This year has seen the group expand into a community hall in Ringwood East and is considering running more quality music oriented programs to meet existing demands. In addition to these new changes, All Stars has secured the services of Neesy Smith as a co-choir master. Neesy is a much respected and loved Dandenong Ranges artist over the last 40 years and was a radio presenter on Mountain District Radio 3MDR 97.1 fm for almost 10 years, connecting with all the local community in the Hills. In 2022, the All Stars were overjoyed to welcome blues guitarist, singer/songwriter, Lloyd Spiegel as the choirs Patron. He has created more awareness of the choir than we could ever have hoped for, and we are so very grateful. Our dreams are big, but we need the help and support of many to help continue to build a service and community that will last for years to come. The All Stars Choir exists to enable it's participants a range of musical activities that promote life to the full by enhancing their physical, emotional, intellectual, social, and spiritual development. If you know some-one who might be interested in joining our Choir, please don't hesitate to contact us on our Facebook Page. https://www.facebook.com/All-Stars-Choir-487891894753482/ |
Above: The All Stars weekly session in Bayswater. Michael being presented with a Cole Clarke guitar by Lloyd Spiegel.
Below: All Stars Press Release in Australian Musician, 2022. 
Link to above article.
https://australianmusician.com.au/all-stars-choir-welcomes-lloyd-spiegel-as-patron/?fbclid=IwAR0FAc8JQDGnkUnWfb1-kEHP7eznSbo6j46kxInI4W9OAODp_1jysGWj6w4 |
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The All Stars Choir is run by Tim Ireland, Neesy Smith and Ian Green. Thanks to Sean Clohesy for the above two images.
