Sing the World Better

An instantly engaging documentary featuring Shallaway’s youth ensemble Lauda, a sanctuary of song which welcomes every neurotype to its joyful harmony.

Sing the World Better chronicles ten weeks with Lauda - a pioneering youth ensemble within the internationally renowned Shallaway Youth Choir, one of only a handful of choirs in the world to embrace all neurotypes. As the choristers prepare for their end of season concert, they reveal the joyful harmony they’ve found together while navigating a world not always tuned to their rhythm.

The young choristers in Sing the World Better are the stars of this documentary along with their luminous conductor, Kellie Walsh. The story of Lauda, the trailblazing choral ensemble that welcomes every neurotype, unfurls like a song itself. Lauda was born out of Walsh’s experience leading the internationally renowned Shallaway Youth Choir. She witnessed talented kids successfully audition but unable to learn within the traditional, highly structured choral world. Determined to create a space where every voice could belong, she founded Lauda. Now, inside a church in downtown St. John’s, Lauda prepares for its season finale on the big stage, learning the silken, complex harmonies that give Sing the World Better its name.

The usual slogans diversity is a superpower and inclusion in action are alive in this documentary. The film’s joyful rhythms, both in the music and in the construction around its insightful conversations, illuminate every aspect of this choral experiment. “There’s only one rule at Lauda. Don’t be mean.” And that rule creates the backdrop of everything this choir gives to these young people - friends, community, acceptance, safety, and freedom. Oh, and of course, music — lots and lots of music!

The filmmakers take their cues from the choristers who stake a claim in the storytelling - engaging with each other, the Shallaway leaders, their beloved music therapist Leanne Kearsey, and occasionally the filmmakers, in a disarmingly honest way. They have weathered so much in their young lives they seem wise beyond their years - profound, funny, and super smart. And the countdown is on. Ten weeks to showtime.
At the end, young Tyler is right! “This documentary rocks!”

About Shallaway

Led by Artistic Director Kellie Walsh, our 400 choristers and 15 music educators make up a highly-accomplished, internationally recognized youth organization that expresses itself through choral music. Shallaway has achieved both artistic and cultural acclaim and is now recognized as one of the world’s finest choirs, receiving numerous invitations to perform locally and abroad.