Webchat with The Choir's Gareth Malone on Wednesday 5 February from 1-2pm

[RachelCMumsnet]

We're very pleased to announce that choirmaster Gareth Malone will be coming into MNHQ for a webchat on Wednesday 5 February. Gareth is best known for BAFTA-winning BBC2 show The Choir, the most recent series of which finished just before Christmas. He also made a programme for BBC4 called Why do we Sing?, has written two books, and is preparing to embark on a live tour of the UK in May and June with his new choir, Gareth Malone's Voices.

You can post a question to Gareth in advance below, or join us on Wednesday between 1pm and 2pm.

[SarahMumsnet]

@Helensita

Oh how funny that Mumsnet has taken an idea that I pitched to both Justine Roberts and Patrick Keogh at the Mumsnet Blogfest in November (about starting a Mumsnet choir!) They've run with it themselves and got Gareth Malone involved, who happens to be an acquaintance of Patrick's. Classy way to treat a Mumsnet Blogger and Local Ambassador for my area.

Hey Helensita - we're not actually starting a choir! We just ended up having an impromptu singsong when Gareth came in to do his webchat - and he came on to talk about his forthcoming tour, rather than to school us in the arts of group warbling. We really wouldn't nick an idea of yours without crediting you

[ShatnersBassoon]

Ooh, very Fanjo Riot.

[AtYourCervix]

Coool!

[Sparklingbrook]

I have mine on AYC.

[GlaikitFizzog]

HOW DID I MISS THIS! I've been off ill all week, and living on here!!

I run my workplace choir and dream of Gareth pitching up to save me!

MNHQ, if you could pass my details on to Gareth please, I'd be ever so grateful! Thankyoukindly!

[ShatnersBassoon]

I need the balaclava more than most. Hurry up with that knitting.

[AtYourCervix]

I think you'll find the Mumsnet Balaclava Choir was my idea.

Well the choir was. The balaclavas came later.

[Sparklingbrook]

Unless everyone has gone off to rehearsals without us Stumbled.

[Sparklingbrook]

But that was all a joke.

[ShatnersBassoon]

Helenista, what have you read? I think they just had a bit of a warble at MNHQ, unless I've missed something

[HeartsTrumpDiamonds]

Helen you sound very bitter.

[Sparklingbrook]

Blimey Helensita. I think they had a bit of a sing song at MNHQ that's all.

[DearPrudence]

Helensita did you want to run the choir?

[DrankSangriaInThePark]

I think they only had a bit of a sing song after the jammy dodgers. I don't think they're going to the Albert Hall anytime soon.

[Helensita]

Oh how funny that Mumsnet has taken an idea that I pitched to both Justine Roberts and Patrick Keogh at the Mumsnet Blogfest in November (about starting a Mumsnet choir!) They've run with it themselves and got Gareth Malone involved, who happens to be an acquaintance of Patrick's. Classy way to treat a Mumsnet Blogger and Local Ambassador for my area.

[thegreylady]

I have been looking out for a link to the mn choir performance :)
I have been unable to get tickets for the tour-very disappointing [tried Birmingham and Manchester].

[JugglingFromHereToThere]

Sorry you missed it Merry. All the best with DC3 - at least he's tolerating everyone else's music making much better now? Maybe music might not be his thing, something else may inspire him more? Then again there must be some more peaceful music he might enjoy - I'm thinking of Evelyn Glenie and her glockenspiel. Any instruments he's expressed an interest in?
Sorry I'm not Gareth BTW !

[Merrythulu]

Oh. It was yesterday. MASSIVE FAIL.

[Merrythulu]

Hello Gareth,
I'm a 'cello teacher, and a bit of a pianist, and my husband is a guitarist and bassist. We have 4 children, 2 of whom have autism, and two who're neuro-typical. 3 of our children love music, and play, including our littlest who is 3 and is autistic, but the third child, who's also autistic, has had a real problem with music and noise, including cheering and applause. Naturally this is quite a problem in a noisy, busy house full of musicians. Now he's 5, he IS getting better, but I can't encourage him to play the piano or the 'cello, and anyone singing provokes a bit of a meltdown.
Can you think of a way I can help him access the therapeutic benefits of music? Or do I just need to get someone else involved who isn't quite so close to the situation?

[InkleWinkle]

Ooh RL got in the way & this is the first chance I've had to catch up.
What a very good web chat

And he answered my question...suspect he wouldn't be so positive if he actually heard me singing though!

[ExcuseTypos]

Oh I missed this!

I've just joined a choir and I LOVE it

[hellymelly]

HOW did I miss this? Lucky lucky mumsnet towers.