The number of Community Choirs in this country has increased greatly in the last few years. Each one is different, but there are some aspects many hold in common. In general, Community Choirs welcome singers of all abilities, there are no auditions and songs are usually taught by ear. The emphasis is on singing for the sheer joy of it and many choirs sing in a circle rather than in chorus formation. This allows everyone to hear and enjoy the harmonies for themselves, rather than songs being rehearsed entirely for the benefit of an audience.
One of the main aims of Hilary’s choirs is to make the wonderful joy and benefits of unaccompanied harmony singing available to anyone. The atmosphere is deliberately informal, people feel welcome, supported and unpressurised. The purpose of the choirs is not predominantly to perform, though this they do with great enthusiasm, but to sing for the sheer joy of singing.
The traditional ‘lining out’ or call and response teaching method, building the harmonies up in short sections reinforced by constant repetition, enables everyone to experience the wonderful buzz of harmony singing far more quickly than many would imagine possible. No one is given music so a mutually supportive atmosphere naturally evolves where those with more confidence give support to those with less, who in turn become more confident.
The repertoire is very wide and varied, drawn from many different styles and cultures across the world. From the pulsating rhythms of Africa, to the wonderfully unusual harmonies of the Balkans and the Republic of Georgia. The haunting melodies of Russia to the exuberance of Black American Gospel. English traditional along side contemporary popular music, it all adds up to a wonderful eclectic mix that keeps everyone interested and on their toes.
The forte of a Community choir is that it does create positive community. It is the highlight of many peoples week, giving them
a much needed lift or enabling them to switch off from the stresses of life for a couple of hours. Singing helps people calm down physically. The body produces endorphins - the happy hormone that affects every cell in the body – which lift the spirits and boosts the immune system. Firm and lasting friendships are formed. People look out for each other, support each other, laugh with each other and feel fantastic when they hear the wonderful harmonies they make together.
Many Community Choir leaders are members of the of the Natural Voice Practitioners Network. Check out their web site for Community Choirs in your area.
Hilary Davies has been a Community Choir Leader since September 2001. She leads three Community Choirs, in Worcester, Tewkesbury and Cheltenham.
from choir members
