On Sat the 6th Sept I was miraculously able to see the matinee performance of Emma Dean’s amazing ‘Community Choir: The Musical’ starring her choir Cheep Trill. If it was scheduled during the last six weeks, or even two days prior, I would not have been well enough to go. Somehow the planets aligned and I was able to go in person! Now I’m feeling bruised all over and hit by a truck, as expected, so I hope recovery is ‘swift’ – (just like Taylor!)
The musical was a joyous celebration of community, singing Emma’s music spanning her whole career, since before I met her in 2010 when my bro played in her band and I first drew her. I loved hearing the community sing their own versions of Emma’s songs – ‘Thunder’ was exceptionally good, so was ‘Waiting Room,’ ‘Little Silver’, ‘Weetybix’, and ‘Bigger Than You, Bigger Than Me.’ As someone who has followed Emma Dean for 15 years, it was brilliant!
Cheep Trill has been running since 2014, and I have loved them and wished I could be involved, and I grieve that I’m not well enough to attend or sing. For this musical, I drew Emma in the promotional ‘Choir Nerd’ picture, and drew a line drawing of the cast in ‘Spirit of the song’ to make a zine (little magazine made from a folded A4 page) and Emma gave the zines to the cast. It means so much to be able to fangirl and meaningfully connect with them. I also made ‘choir nerd’ shirts for Emma and her twins, my beloved niblings!
The Welcome to Country was powerful and profoundly moving. The Thomas Dixon Centre, West End was a great venue – wheelchair seating was front and centre and they had an Auslan interpreter signing throughout. At the beginning and end they mentioned people attending and included ‘aunties with their niblings’! The character arc and stories weaving the songs together were heartfelt and adorable. It was a feelgood celebration of friendship, singing, connection and community. I didn’t know what to expect but it lived up to and exceeded any expectations and I am so glad I was able to go!
The connection Emma has fostered in the community is exceptional and so special. The friendship and support she has given me is priceless. It’s an honour to be able to draw and share these images.
Prints of my artworks ‘Choir Nerd’ and ‘Spirit of the Song – Community Choir: the Musical’ will be on display in my Rainbow Bubbles of Collective Effervescence art exhibition at Montville Reflection Gallery Oct 4th to Nov 29th, 2025, 152 Main St, Montville 10am – 3pm daily.
You can follow my art at @byshi.art ByShi Art by Shiloh Moore on Facebook and Instagram. My previous exhibition See ME Expo is online at www.seemeexpo.com/shiloh-moore/