In this episode of Leading Notes, we speak with James Sills, a vocal leader, energizer, and connector who's revolutionizing how we think about group singing. From football terraces to corporate boardrooms, James shares how he's bringing the transformative power of singing to unexpected places, including his groundbreaking new BBC project 'Bantam of the Opera.'

Drawing from his journey from high school music teacher to innovative community music leader, James reveals how he creates safe spaces for authentic connection through singing, while maintaining musical integrity. He discusses his philosophy of 'meeting people where they are' and explains why singing is such a powerful tool for building community in our increasingly disconnected world.

Join us for an inspiring conversation about making singing accessible to all, the importance of running your own race, and how a portfolio career in community music can create both social impact and sustainable living. Whether you're a musician, educator, or simply curious about the power of collective singing, this episode offers fresh perspectives on using music to create meaningful connection.

https://www.james-sills.com/

https://www.thesofasingers.com/

https://www.james-sills.com/home/book

https://www.bbc.co.uk/cityofculture/bradford2025/bantam-of-the-opera/

Chris Blain discusses his evolution from professional a cappella performer to community music facilitator, sharing insights about inclusive music making and the importance of creating spaces where everyone can participate. Learn how his work with Men in Suits and With One Voice is helping to rebuild singing traditions and foster positive masculinity through group singing.

"Live music is about changing the way people feel. And you don't do that with excellence. You do that with heart and with soul, and with connecting with people."

"It's never about the song, it's about the moment you're creating. The song is just a vehicle."

"Just lean towards joy... I just started leaning towards the things that made me happier and away from the things that made me tired and grumpy and cynical."

Choir Operations Coordinator at Creativity Australia and conductor of With One Voice Whitehorse. Musical director of men's choir Men In Suits and director of Melbourne Singing Events. Former founding director of Vocal Australia and operations manager at MusoMagic. Chris brings decades of experience in both professional performance and community music facilitation.

This project was made possible by The Winston Churchill Trust’s Impact Fund, supporting Churchill Fellows to achieve impact in Australia following their Fellowship travels. Read more about the Churchill Trust and other Fellowship stories via the

As universities face what Vicki Bos calls a "crisis of connection," with international students increasingly disconnected from campus life, group singing emerges as a powerful tool for building meaningful relationships and fostering genuine belonging. 

Vicki Bos shares insights from her work leading UQ Voices, a mental health research choir at the University of Queensland. Learn how her five key community-building strategies through choral singing create meaningful connections among international and domestic students, moving beyond surface-level interactions to foster belonging and connection.

Education professional development specialist and director of UQ Voices, the University of Queensland School of Psychology mental health research choir. With experience across Australia, Japan, Macau, Brazil, and Chile, Vicki specializes in using choral singing to teach language, build community, and improve mental health outcomes.

This project was made possible by The Winston Churchill Trust’s Impact Fund, supporting Churchill Fellows to achieve impact in Australia following their Fellowship travels. Read more about the Churchill Trust and other Fellowship stories at ChurchillFellowship.com.au

Melissa is joined by Emma Dean, an accomplished Australian musician, performer, and community choir leader. They discuss Emma's journey from classical violinist to professional performer, and her eventual transition to leading community music projects. Emma shares candidly about experiencing "cruel optimism" in the music industry and how hitting "rock bottom" led her to start the Cheep Trill community choir from her friend's veranda in Brisbane - a decision that would transform not only her career but her sense of self and wellbeing.

The conversation explores how leading community music provides a different kind of fulfilment from professional performing. Emma shares practical insights about inclusive teaching methods and creating safe spaces for musical expression. Her story illustrates how musicians can find meaningful work beyond traditional performance careers, while still maintaining their creativity and musical excellence.

Other resources mentioned during the show:

Musgrave, G., Gross, S. A., & Klein, M. (2024). The dark side of optimism: Musical dreams, belief, and gambling. Musicae Scientiae, 28(4), 634–648. https://doi.org/10.1177/10298649241230673

Gross, S. A., & Musgrave, G. (2020). Can music make you sick? Measuring the price of musical ambition. University of Westminster Press.

Upbeat Arts Absolutely Everybody Choir 

Too Fat For Ballet 

This one time at bandcamp 

Zen Zen Zo 

Rainbow Bop 

This project was made possible by The Winston Churchill Trust’s Impact Fund, supporting Churchill Fellows to achieve impact in Australia following their Fellowship travels. Read more about the Churchill Trust and other Fellowship stories at ChurchillFellowship.com.au

The musicians who make a real difference in our communities aren't household names – they're the leaders creating meaningful social connections through participatory music-making.

Join singer, researcher, and community music leader Dr Melissa Forbes as she explores how these remarkable but unsung musicians are revitalizing our social health. Drawing on insights from positive psychology and leadership research, each episode features conversations with music leaders who are building belonging through their work.

Whether you're a musician seeking meaningful work, a music educator training future leaders, or a health professional interested in music's social impact, discover practical strategies for creating positive change through music.

Let's make music that matters.

New episodes are released on the first of the month.

This project was made possible by The Winston Churchill Trust’s Impact Fund, supporting Churchill Fellows to achieve impact in Australia following their Fellowship travels. Read more about the Churchill Trust and other Fellowship stories at ChurchillFellowship.com.au

Introducing a new podcast, Leading Notes, which showcases musicians leading the revitalization of social health in our communities.

This project was made possible by The Winston Churchill Trust’s Impact Fund, supporting Churchill Fellows to achieve impact in Australia following their Fellowship travels. Read more about the Churchill Trust and other Fellowship stories at ChurchillFellowship.com.au