On a Saturday evening in September, the Assembly Hall of Warmadewa College was filled
with conversation, anticipation, and the familiar sight of choir members greeting friends
before taking their places on stage.

Audience members began arriving well before the concert was due to start. Some were longtime supporters of Bali Community Choir, while others had come to learn more about the
work of The John Fawcett Foundation. By the time the lights dimmed, around 100 people had
gathered for the choir’s annual fundraising concert, A Celebration of Song.

What followed was more than a performance. It was an evening that brought together music
lovers, volunteers, educators, sponsors, and community members around a shared
commitment to helping restore sight and prevent blindness across Indonesia.

As the choir assembled on stage, one of the evening’s most striking features became
immediately apparent.

Indonesian and international singers stood side by side, dressed in a colourful mix of
traditional Indonesian attire and concert wear. The group reflected the diversity that has been
part of Bali Community Choir since its formation—people from different countries, cultures,
professions, and walks of life united by a shared love of singing.

Some choir members had sung together for many years. Others were relatively new to the
group. Yet months of rehearsals had created a sense of trust and connection that was evident
from the opening notes.

For audience members, the choir itself became a living example of the community spirit that
Bali is known for: people from different backgrounds coming together to create something
meaningful.

The programme took listeners on a journey through a range of musical styles, with each
section bringing a different atmosphere to the hall.

Highlights of the repertoire included the lively Cole Porter classic Anything Goes, the
Shaker-inspired A Gift to Be Simple, and the energetic Broadway opener Another Op’nin,
Another Show. The choir also delighted audiences with the uplifting folk favourite Place in
the Choir and a heartfelt rendition of Can’t Help Falling in Love, which brought a warm
and reflective mood to the evening.

One of the concert’s most memorable qualities was the way the programme continually
shifted in mood. Quiet and contemplative moments gave way to lively and uplifting songs,
keeping the audience engaged throughout the performance.

Under the direction of Brendan O’Donnell, the choir moved confidently between styles
while maintaining the sense of unity that connected the entire programme.

Throughout the evening, Brendan guided the audience through the concert with warmth and
ease.

Between musical selections, he shared reflections on the choir’s work, introduced pieces from
the programme, and spoke about the purpose behind the fundraiser. These moments helped
create a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere that felt more like a community gathering than a
formal concert

Laughter often followed his remarks, while audience members listened attentively as he
explained how the evening’s fundraising efforts would support the work of The John Fawcett
Foundation.

The connection between choir and audience was evident throughout the night. Familiar faces
exchanged greetings during the interval, conversations continued over refreshments, and
many guests took the opportunity to learn more about the cause behind the event.

At the heart of the concert was a simple but important goal: supporting the work of The John
Fawcett Foundation (JFF).

For more than three decades, the foundation has provided free sight restoration, cataract
surgeries, and blindness prevention programmes for people who would otherwise struggle to
access treatment.

The concert programme carried the theme “In Harmony for Humanity,” recognising the
legacy of John Fawcett and the thousands of lives that have been transformed through his
work.

For choir members, this purpose gave added meaning to every rehearsal and performance.
The evening was not only about sharing music with an audience; it was about helping make
life-changing medical care available to people in need.

The fundraising raffle became one of the liveliest moments of the evening

As winning numbers were announced, anticipation quickly spread through the hall. Cheers,
laughter, and applause followed as prizes were collected, creating a sense of excitement while
encouraging audience participation in the fundraising effort.

Although light-hearted in spirit, the raffle played an important role in supporting the concert’s
charitable goals.

Like the concert itself, it demonstrated what can happen when many people contribute in
small but meaningful ways. Choir members, volunteers, sponsors, audience members, and
community partners all played a part in the evening’s success.

One of the most significant moments came near the end of the evening when representatives
connected with The John Fawcett Foundation joined members of the choir on stage.

A presentation was made recognising the funds raised through the concert and the collective
effort that had made the evening possible. As photographs were taken and applause filled the
hall, the impact of the event became tangible.

Months of planning, rehearsing, organising, promoting, and fundraising had been transformed
into practical support for programmes that restore sight and prevent blindness.

It was a simple moment, yet one that captured the true purpose of the concert

The applause that followed was not only for the performers. It was for everyone who had
contributed to making a difference.

The success of the evening was made possible through the collaboration of many people and
organisations.

Special thanks go to Bapak Dewa Made Surayadnya and Warmadewa College for their
generous support and for providing the Assembly Hall as the venue for the concert.

The partnership demonstrated how educational institutions, community organisations,
volunteers, and charitable foundations can work together in support of a shared humanitarian
goal.

It also strengthened relationships that continue to create opportunities for future collaboration
between local institutions and community groups in Bali.

As audience members departed and choir members gathered for photographs and farewells,
there was a sense of accomplishment that extended beyond the performance itself.

A Celebration of Song had brought people together for an evening of music, friendship, and
generosity. More importantly, it had connected a local community gathering in Denpasar with
life-changing healthcare programmes reaching people across Indonesia.

Bali Community Choir extends heartfelt thanks to The John Fawcett Foundation, Yayasan
Kemanusiaan Indonesia, Bapak Dewa Made Surayadnya, Warmadewa College, our sponsors,
volunteers, audience members, and every choir member who contributed their time and
energy to the event.

For one evening, voices from many backgrounds came together in a single hall with a
common purpose. The music may have ended at the close of the concert, but the impact of
that shared effort continues well beyond the final note.