You could hear a pin drop in the room as the voices of Hummingsong Choir floated through the Australia’s Got Talent audience.
The hundreds of female singers huddled on stage were there because of one woman: Anna Humberstone.
Speaking with New Idea after getting four ‘yes’ votes from the judges, Anna admits her 450-member choir had very humble beginnings.
Watch their incredible audition below
“My method of recruiting people was really primitive in the early days. I was literally accosting strangers on the street and in supermarkets to say: ‘Come and join my choir!’” Anna laughs.
“I would wait in car parks … I was even taken up to the security at St Ives shopping centre for inappropriately accosting strangers to promote my local community choir! And I said to the manager, ‘I’m very sorry – but would you like to join my choir?’”
Now, seven years and hundreds of singers later, the ladies of Hummingsong have joined together for a very special reason.
The women have chosen to raise money and awareness for domestic violence charities through song – and there are even some brave survivors lending their voices.
“In the early days, I pitched it to the ladies to come up with ideas of women-based organisations that would be good for us to give back to. And it was a choir member’s suggestion to support the local women’s refuge,” Anna says, “Domestic violence bears no social class. And we’ve all grown with a greater understanding of the need to look out for our fellow sisters in the community. It’s a passion of ours to continue working towards zero tolerance for violence against women.”
The choral singers have forged a beautiful community and connection that goes far beyond music. “How it’s brought together our community has been so special. We [went on AGT] to inspire people to reach out and connect with their own community,” Anna adds.
“Singing is an instrument we all have. Our choir is full of people who’ve never sung before and the level of support that these women give each other is powerful beyond anything. It has been transformative.”
Australia’s Got Talent continues 7:30pm tonight!
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