Singing with a Community Choir has been great for me for lots of reasons – the pleasure in going from total ignorance of a song to being able to sing it with others so it sounds really good; the way it totally absorbs you and takes you away from the day job; being introduced to so many different types of song and music and for me personally massive increase in singing confidence A.D
As a trained musician, I enjoy all types of music that are of good quality. A cappella singing without having music to rely on is challenging and stretches 'zee leetle grey cells'! There is great satisfaction in achieving a good end product and the different styles of song give an uplift in the fast, cheery ones and a calm pleasure in the quieter, rich harmony ones. I appreciate meeting and singing with like-minded adults and especially seeing the triumphant faces of less able singers as they hear the finished song and thoroughly enjoy being part of a mixed group. P.S.
I have quite a mentally demanding and stressful job.....Switching from the part of my brain that is weary (something which I find difficult to do normally, even to get to sleep) into the lovely new fresh part that I use for singing releases a whole untapped source of energy ....energised but relaxed, fulfilled but at the same time feeling you want to go on and do more.... L.M.
The range of music is excellent and full of interest. The method of learning, without sheet music, enables a wider range of people to be involved, ranging from those who have little or no singing experience (who are often pleasantly surprised at their own abilities) to those who have come from choirs who mainly sing the classical repertoire. The fact that each part sometimes has the melody or focus also gives everyone a chance to “lead” or “shine”. The focus on singing for enjoyment and personal achievement, with occasional concerts, means that there is less of a “treadmill” feeling than in choirs which go from one concert to another,
with an annual repertoire. A.S.
I am pleased to say that your relaxed style and warm welcome made me feel at ease from the very beginning.
You make the most complicated performance easy to learn and you truly bring out the best in people (whether they can sing or not!)
I think the choir goes beyond producing a wonderful sound for the community to enjoy, for me, and other people I have spoken to in the choir, it brings people together in a really positive learning environment, where no-one is made to feel self-conscious or embarrassed about their individual ability. At the end of practice I feel more energised and uplifted physically and emotionally. J.H.
You make the most complicated performance easy to learn and you truly bring out the best in people (whether they can sing or not!)
I think the choir goes beyond producing a wonderful sound for the community to enjoy, for me, and other people I have spoken to in the choir, it brings people together in a really positive learning environment, where no-one is made to feel self-conscious or embarrassed about their individual ability. At the end of practice I feel more energised and uplifted physically and emotionally. J.H.
At 81, I am among the "senior" members of the choir, and I write in appreciation of singing "a capella"; first, because one is using a personal "instrument" with whatever God-given ability one has, and secondly, because the resultant sound is natural, without any addition or supplement, It is nothing but US!
Combining with one's "section" is satisfying as is the "section's" contribution to the harmony of the whole.
The wide variety of styles of music sung maintains interest and is stimulating.
For the experience to be effective as well as fun, so much depends on the expertise, skill and personality of the conductor. We are much blessed in our conductor! M.J.
Combining with one's "section" is satisfying as is the "section's" contribution to the harmony of the whole.
The wide variety of styles of music sung maintains interest and is stimulating.
For the experience to be effective as well as fun, so much depends on the expertise, skill and personality of the conductor. We are much blessed in our conductor! M.J.
Singing in ‘normal’ choirs, I found the night of the performance fantastic but it was a grind getting there. In this choir, the singing is always joyful and life-affirming, I don't ever want it to end, I don't even need a break, and when you say we've worked hard, I think: this is work?!
It is very exhilarating learning by ear, letting the right brain put out feelers to catch the tunes, instead of reading notes from a book, or trying to.
It is also healing. Singing in this choir brought me back to life and made me feel part of a harmonious whole again, and the tunes/harmonies warmed up all those emotions which had gone into cold storage L.W.
It is very exhilarating learning by ear, letting the right brain put out feelers to catch the tunes, instead of reading notes from a book, or trying to.
It is also healing. Singing in this choir brought me back to life and made me feel part of a harmonious whole again, and the tunes/harmonies warmed up all those emotions which had gone into cold storage L.W.
For me the positive benefits of Community Choir singing are all associated with relaxation and it's therefore a great stress buster: high level of concentration means you have to forget everything else; improves breathing and therefore has a calming effect. T.P.