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From classical to pop, join the discussion on our Music forum.

From classical to pop, join the discussion on our Music forum.

Music

Anyone in a choir?

20 replies

oohdaddypig · 18/07/2012 22:30

I would love to join a choir. I've seen a few advertised locally and I plan to pitch up. I'm too scared to join any that need an audition

I'm relatively musical - play cello to a relatively high standard so I can read music well. But I've never ever sung! I can sing in tune - I sing to the kids but in my opinion it doesn't sound very pretty. Would my voice improve if I sung regularly? Any tips? Is it all very serious?

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dontagreewithit · 18/07/2012 22:40

I love love love being in a choir. So much that I'm in two. One is more 'serious' than the other, but neither are that serious. One is lead by a professional musician, has about 75 members and performs 3 maj

If you can read music & sing in tune then I'm sure you'd be welcome in most amateur choirs.

I have been in my 'main' choir for 8 years now & have learnt & improved loads. I get more and more out of it as time goes on & when I've been having hard times at home or work, singing really takes me away from it all.

Through the choir. I've also attended day-long workshops - highlight has been working on Bob Chilcott's requiem with Bob Chilcott. Just brilliant.

If you're in the Newport area, (long shot, I know!), PM me for details of my choir(s)...

dontagreewithit · 18/07/2012 22:42

Sorry, posted too soon...(stupid phone)

First paragraph should end and performs 3 major concerts a year. The other is made up of about 20 parents and relatives of the children in dd2's choir & we mainly just have a laugh!

oohdaddypig · 18/07/2012 22:47

Thanks donta Nowhere near Newport (mores the pity - your choirs sound fab)

I love that it takes you away from it all - it's exactly what I want Whilst I love playing in orchestras I need a break to do something totally different and using my voice feels - well - more earthy IYKWIM.

It sounds stupid BUT - how do you know when to take a breath? Do you all take a breath at the same time?!

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MegBusset · 18/07/2012 22:49

I'm in Rock Choir. You don't have to audition, they're all around the company and it's loads of fun :) It is a bit pricey though, £100 a term.

WopBopALooBop · 18/07/2012 22:54

I'm in a choir! We're singing in the closing ceremony of the Olympics We're a gospel-influenced choir of around 30, but have doubled in size short-term for this Olympics thingamyjig. No need to read music, the MD just sings you your part and you remember it, v v easy and a lot less hassle. Plus looks arguably better, not having to have sheet music and lyrics in front of you when performing.

I definitely recommend joining a choir to everyone!! There are choirs for everyone these days, what with branches of Rock Choir in basically every town etc. Are you looking for a classical choir? I would like to do more classical singing to get more sight-singing practice.

Singing is SO GOOD for your mental health, I swear. Do it! your voice will improve if you sing regularly, you'll get the knack especially if your MD/choir leader gives you a good warm up and exercises which you can practice at home. The good thing about a choir also is that you all blend together so really any minor mistakes get disguised, so there's less pressure and stress on nervous singers and therefore nervous singers' confidence grows!! So then there are fewer nervous singers and ultimately fewer mistakes! If you see what I mean. Plus the sound voices make en-masse is amazing in itself, sounds so good (getting a bit corny now, sorry! I just love it)

My choir is not at all serious, but that may be partly because he music we sing is so lively and non-traditional/serious. The choir sang at my wedding last month and they really got the party started! Rehearsals are so lively, loads of dancing and laughing. The classical choirs I've sung in in the past have always been fun as well though, choirs are really good from a social aspect and a good way to make new friends.

Do it! It's so fun. Especially as you're already musical, I'm sure you'll fit right in :)

MegBusset · 18/07/2012 22:58

All around the country not company!

Tommy · 18/07/2012 23:00

you'll love it - go for it

WopBopALooBop · 18/07/2012 23:04

Your conductor will indicate when to take a breath but obviously take a quick breath whenever if you're about to run out! The audience won't notice as long as there's a lot of you singing the same part, as I mentioned before you all blend together :) sorry if have x-posted :)

dontagreewithit · 18/07/2012 23:13

Oh yes, forgot to mention the social side. Have made many firm friends of all ages & am especially close to two fellow altos, me & dh & them & their dhs are now in our own "Come Dine With Me" gang. Dh & the dd's get involved with"back stage" duties as well for our concerts.

Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without our concert - my dad & stepmum travel 200 miles especially to watch it.

What's really heatwarming is the support that the 'serious' choir has given to my dd's choir - from taking a collection after one of our concerts (£200-odd raised), to sponsoring dh in his half marathon (£150 raised) to buying the Christmas CDs the choir recorded (£100 raised). And the icing on the cake is that they are joining with us for our Autumn orchestral concert, where we are singing, amongst other things, the Faure Reqiem, which is the most divine choral piece you can ever sing.

In short, being in a choir is ace!!

dontagreewithit · 18/07/2012 23:15

Oh, (sorry, on a roll). I think Rock Choir is extortionate by the way. We pay £90 per year subs & it's less for OAPs (of which there are many!)

Booette · 19/07/2012 14:22

I'm in a choir, although I haven't been for a few weeks due to being busy. It's great fun, they don't take it too seriously. No audition, and no solos if you don't want to. I think I'm a crap singer, so I blend into the background (and sometimes mime if I think I can't do it!) I've even performed on stage in front of people, and now know the true meaning of stage fright!

I looked at Rock Choir and was aghast at the £100 per term. The one I joined was £10 joining fee, and it's £5 weekly, which you only pay when you go. So if you can't get there you don't have to pay, which totally suits me as with kids I can't always there. Plus it's £10 for the official choir t-shirt we have to wear for public performances.

oohdaddypig · 19/07/2012 21:09

thanks all - appreciate responses!

Feeling VERY inspired now so will email tonight about joining. have heard the rock choirs are great fun but I'm more comfortable with traditional music so will start there first (if they'll have me.......)

ps donta - Faure's requiem is one of my favourite pieces of all time (even though I've only ever accompanied it). apparently Faure thought that death was the start of something better which is why it's so divine...

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MrsLuthier · 12/03/2013 21:08

Like Meg I go to Rock Choir and I agree with WopBopALooBop, singing makes me feel great! There's loads being written at the moment about well-being and how singing in a choir is sooo good for your mental health. I have a horrible day at work and really don't feel like leaving the house after getting my girls to bed, I stagger in the door of our local hall, we do some funny warm-ups and I immediately start to wake up. By the end of the rehearsal I am completely energised, it's like the adrenalin rush you get after a work out but without all the sweat and hard work!!!! I have made loads of new friends too and over the last year we have done some brilliant things like breaking a world record and flash mobs - such fun!!! I think it is well worth the money

ThreeBeeOneGee · 12/03/2013 21:17

I used to be in what I would call a 'high-powered' choir (invitation only, have released a couple of CDs). I went to hear them recently and they sound even better than they did when I was a member (must have been me dragging the standard down!

I now sing in a very low-key community choir; no audition, not everyone reads music, many haven't sung since school. The director is a volunteer and we each contribute £2 a week towards a really good accompanist. We sing two or three concerts a year, either for elderly folk or to raise money for charity.

Both very enjoyable for different reasons. However tired or grumpy or stressed I feel, if I go to choir I always feel better afterwards. It gives me the same endorphin rush that others say they get from exercise.

CatelynStark · 12/03/2013 21:20

I'm another Rockie! .

I know this is a zombie thread but I couldn't resist posting as RC has given me back my confidence and a whole load of lovely new friends. I would feel lost without it as it's the only thing I do for meeeee!

ThreeBeeOneGee · 12/03/2013 21:21

Your voice will improve if you sing regularly. Warming up helps, and vocal exercises can increase range. Sight-singing also gets easier the more often you do it.

CointreauVersial · 12/03/2013 22:07

I'd love to join one, but prefer modern stuff to classical. Most of the ones I've seen locally are definitely the latter, and attract a more "mature" member. I shall keep looking.

ThreeBeeOneGee · 12/03/2013 22:36

We've just learnt 'Make You Feel My Love' and 'Halleluiah' (the L.Cohen one). In the middle of learning 'Run' (Snow Patrol). Also trying to learn a ColdPlay song.

CointreauVersial · 13/03/2013 13:29

ThreeBeeOneGee - doesn't look like you are local to me (I'm in Surrey). Shame - your choir sounds just the ticket.

ThreeBeeOneGee · 13/03/2013 14:29

Hertfordshire might be a bit far for you to come to a weekly choir practice!

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