Worcester’s New Choir October 1, 2008
Posted by Ria Keen in performing, singing stuff, teaching stuff, voices unlimited.add a comment
- Worcester
Along with my good friend Anne Bradshaw, I have recently been busy setting up a new choir-with-education in Worcester.
What’s a choir-with-education? Well, our members get a singing lesson from Yours Truly at the beginning of each rehearsal, so that they’re not only learning some great tunes (all contemporary – Worcester is well-served by more classical and traditional choirs) but also learning how to sing, using the very latest vocal science and techniques.
We held the first auditions a few weeks back, and were unsure as to what we would get. Certainly, we weren’t expecting huge numbers, as we did minimal publicity, and were staggered when huge numbers was what we got!
We got people from all walks of life, and of all standards. We took on 43 new members, all of whom are delightful people who just want to sing for pleasure, and learn a bit about singing along the way. We decided that there would be no upper age limit, as all too often, older people are excluded from this type of activity. So we are delighted to have members as young as 16 and others in their 70s and still going very strong indeed.
We will be auditioning again this coming Sunday, because there’s already a waiting list (lawks!), and will audition again in January. After that, auditions will be held anually – including for the existing members! We’re quite determined that standards must be maintained, and places in the choir earned.
We don’t plan to perform until next year, because the choir has to evolve and the voices must be developed – even the very good ones! – and a performance style and repertoire built before we unleash the sound upon an unsuspecting public!
The first rehearsal left me delighted, as the sound that was being created was truly outstanding – especially considering that most of the choir members are strangers to each other, at the moment. I can’t wait to hear what they’ll sound like when the choir has ’settled’ and the voices grown in stature and confidence. However, what the choir members dont know is that we have already been invited to perform in concert next year with local singer Steve Maitland, who is not only one of the nicest men you could wish to meet, but also a very fine performer who has delighted audiences everywhere since starting his singing career in early 2007. Can’t wait!
Anyone interested in joining the choir should email the choir manager, Anne Bradshaw: anne@voices-unlimited.co.uk
