Win When You're
Singing!
When I approached people to join our new community choir in 2015, I was met with comments such as “But I haven’t sung since school!” and “You really don’t want to hear me singing” with a smattering of “That sounds brilliant! Count me in!”
The community spirit we have created has been an equal achievement along with the progress we have made with our singing. Friendships have been formed and nurtured, confidence has grown, and cake has been eaten. A massive feel good buzz is achieved every session - nobody leaves choir in a bad mood! The sense of achievement we feel when we get things right is shared by all our members.
Churchfields Primary loaned us the small hall and ready with lyrics and sound tracks, on the first night we had 25 people. I always imagined a stress free, enjoyable evening belting out a few tunes, but NO - these people had other ideas! They wanted to perform in public; they wanted emailed lyrics and MP3s so they could practise at home; they wanted to build in a structured tea break! By the following rehearsal, the tea rota was in place and our first gig had been secured at the Beckenham Wordfest.
Singing in a choir regularly appears on 'try something new' lists, and for good reason: increasing blood oxygen levels and feelgood hormones, singing together improves both physical and mental health. Local music teacher and mum of two, Kari, tells us about setting up Churchfields Community Choir.
GUEST COLUMN