There’s two things Roshan Gul is passionate about: music and community.
The “perfect amalgamation” of the two, according to Roshan, was something called a Vocal Nosh.
The community of Thames is invited to experience what it’s all about starting this Saturday.
Music educator Roshan Gul is set to run a series of four Vocal Nosh sessions starting on October 12 at the St. Georges Anglican Church, Thames.
Roshan told The Profile a Vocal Nosh was a community event where people gathered to sing and eat together “for the sheer pleasure of it”.
It’s for community, connection and the “joy of making music”, rather than observing others doing it, she said.
“Each session stands alone and people can come once or occasionally or every time.”
While the songs were strong, simple and taught by ear – Roshan said there would be no auditions, no solos and “no one is put on the spot”.
And she said there would be an afternoon tea break with “simple.. but nourishing” food.
“You just come when you need a good sing and want to tap in to community.”
Roshan used to run monthly sessions with two friends in her community of Karangahake “for the love of it”, she said.
“This year, I was lucky enough to get funding from the Thames District Council through the Creative Communities Scheme to run four sessions in Thames.”
For people who were thinking about attending a session for the first time, Roshan said: “you won’t know if it is your cup of tea unless you give it a go”.
Her hope was that people would leave the sessions “feeling nourished and uplifted by song, kai and community”.
“As social interactions seem to be happening more often online, I believe the arts as expression and connection is so important for the health of our communities,” she said.
“I think we all need to feel we belong, our contribution matters,we are contributing to something bigger and beyond ourselves.”
DETAILS: To find out more, contact Roshan on: singlovestrum@gmail.com. $15 per session, held at St. Georges Anglican Church, Thames from 3pm to 5.30pm on October 12, November 9 and December 7. The fourth date is yet to be confirmed.
