Tom Richardson assembles all-abilities choir

 Published in the Warrnambool Standard Friday 23rd Feb. 2018

THE talents of Tom Richardson have long been lauded. The Warrnambool singer-songwriter has build an international audience with his live performances and recording studio output. But he is currently undertaking perhaps his most ambitious and inspiring project. Richardson has gathered together the all-abilities Find Your Voice choir, which will perform at the Rotary International Concert for Peace at the Lighthouse Theatre in Warrnmambool and at the Port Fairy Folk Festival. Richardson said the idea for the choir came last year and with the support of the Port Fairy Folk Festival, soon gained some serious momentum. “In the past, I have done all-abilities skating and surfing programs in Australia and overseas,” Richardson said. “Being a musician, I thought it would be good to put together a choir. Everyone can sing, it’s just that people are told they shouldn’t if they are not good at it and that puts a lot of people off. Being part of a choir is a great chance for people to come together and share their love of music.” Richardson set about forming the choir last November with the first practice held a fortnight ago. Choir members have come from disability agencies in Warrnambool, Portland, Hamilton and Terang. The choir includes over 100 participants, aged from seven to 70. “We have people of all abilities, even some that are non-verbal,” Richardson said. “Everyone in the choir brings their own personality and spark, there is so much positive energy.” As well as the folk festival, Richardson has also received support from Warrnambool Central Rotary Club and Maree Wyse from Rural Access. He lavished praise on Kylie Thulborn from All Abilities Advocacy. “Kylie is amazing, she is a super woman, her efforts to bring this all together have been incredible,” he said. The choir will perform on Thursday March 8 at the Rotary International Concert for Peace. The following day, it will be the opening act of the Port Fairy Folk Festival at 4pm on Fiddler’s Green.