Born to Sing: Martin Mead defies cancer odds, registrations open for 1000-voice choir for December 7 and 8
Few people know the power of music more than Martin Meader.
Diagnosed with colorectal cancer with secondaries in the liver and lungs eight years ago, Martin’s prognosis was bleak.
Since then, Martin has defied the odds attributing his love of singing, with significantly helping his health.
“During the thick of something truly life changing, singing offered a distraction, it brought me joy and it gave me the lift to keep going,” he reflects.
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Despite chemotherapy once a fortnight, Martin sings three times a week and has created a community of singers who are supportive and welcoming to all.
Inspired by how singing had helped him, Martin wanted to launch an event where more people could feel the joy of performing.
“I wanted more people to experience what I experienced. I knew not everyone could commit to being in a regular choir, but I wanted to give them a once off opportunity to take centre stage,” he said.
In 2023, Born to Sing successfully hosted a sell-out 1000 voice choir, a no audition large scale community event that saw voices from across the state come together.
'It’s older ladies, little kids, everyone together, they’re interacting, connecting and singings as one.' Credit: The West Australian
The choir featured everyone from retirees to school children, families, veterans and singers with a disability, the only consideration was a love of music.
Participants attend as many or as few rehearsals as they wish and are provided with the songs to learn in advance.
The event is a positive, supportive and fun, fostering new friendships.
For Martin, it’s about giving back, describing the moment when he looks up to see the smiles on everyone’s faces.
“It’s older ladies, little kids, everyone together, they’re interacting, connecting and singings as one,” he says.
Following the success of the event, Martin is calling for 999 friends to join him on this year’s adventure.
Registrations are open for another 1000 voice choir to be held on December 7 and 8 at the Fremantle Arts Centre.
It is a unique opportunity for community singers to be part of something bigger and to perform on a grand stage in front of a live audience.
“You can’t quite imagine how beautiful, how loud and how passionate 1000 voices are until you experience yourself,” Martin says.
For more information, click on the link here.
Registrations are now open.