GUEST BLOG: "Confessions Of An Outsider," by Varda Hardy

Date: October 16, 2012

Views: 1302

CONFESSIONS OF AN OUTSIDER ~ by Varda Hardy (director of the documentary BIG VOICE...dare to dream)

A year ago I launched into production on BIG VOICE, a documentary about the challenging musical journey of a high school choir director and his most advanced co-ed ensemble. We have completed principal photography and begun the extensive post-production process--weaving together this story of extraordinary passion, aspiration, teenage struggle, breakthroughs and music.

A choir conductor recently expressed curiosity at my passion for BIG VOICE. You see, in the choral world, I am an outsider. I am not a choir teacher, or a conductor. I don’t even sing in a choir. So, what moves me to make BIG VOICE? The belief that our society needs a real life story full of possibility, a story revealing that with clear intention, hard work and determination we can enrich the world around us in a most meaningful way.

I want to show what it takes to achieve excellence in the arts and the value of this effort. Because of the profoundly positive impact choir has on students’ lives, I want BIG VOICE to inspire communities across the country to adopt and fund choir programs in their schools.

As I edit hours of footage I will do so with the inspiring voices of the choir nourishing my spirit. Please join me in bringing BIG VOICE to the screen.

metra peterson on October 16, 2012 5:14am

Please keep us informed how, when and where we can watch this. Sounds inspiring.

Applauded by an audience of 1

Owen Sharpe on October 16, 2012 12:20pm

Actually I am really also an outsider, although I do now sing in a community choir. I have created the Singdownunder Festival because young choirs make such a positive educative contribution in our community.

I have had a career as a secondary teacher, teaching Economics ( and am still at it). The Singdownunder Choral Festival promotes secondary school (and other young) choirs in New Zealand by exposing them to international visiting choirs. By so doing it makes joining a choir a more interesting thing to do for a young Kiwi. That is especially true for young Maoris and Polynesian New Zealanders who, generally speaking have the most to gain from such exposure because they often have had less opportunity to travel. They also benefit most from the generally educative processes inherent in participating in a choir building up to a major event.

In a sense they deserve the extra benefits they may get from participating in the festival because they offer more to the visitors. We may have some more technical aware and accomplished choirs but the Maori and Polynesian groups offer a compelling sound that is unlikely to be heard elsewhere. It seems to arise because of the cultural focus on choral singing from a young age in churches and cultural events.

Owen Sharpe

Auckland New Zealand