Singing for Pleasure
The title of the group is deliberately worded because there's so much joy to be found in just having a good sing, whether it's in the bath or in a large group! It is well established that singing in a group promotes well-being and can be beneficial for mental health, and we hope that you will find that is the case in this group that Stuart our Musical Director and Ben are setting up.
In a typical session, we will spend some time "warming up", and then singing through a selection of suitable pieces, which will be an eclectic mix of songs from musicals, easy listening and pop through to classical and sacred pieces at the other end of the choral repertoire. We may spend a bit of time too breaking down sections of those pieces in an informal but fun based rehearsal environment, and some work on vocal and choral technique, and occasionally Stuart may offer a little musicology insight around what we are singing. It will also involve a range of unison and harmony singing, though that will depend on balance, and we could do with a few more men or ladies with low voices for the lower parts. It doesn't matter whether you cannot read music, or whether you are a retired music teacher, we hope that you will come away from our sessions feeling refreshed and rejuvenated!
Just a little bit about our Musical Director Stuart: I sing in the Hallé choir, in Manchester Chamber Choir and at evensongs on a Sunday at Manchester Cathedral where I am occasionally the cantor, so I have a bit of experience of singing in choirs! So my background is mainly classical, but I also do sing in a group, where we sing more of the popular genre.
We are still looking for piano accompanist either from within or outside of this singing group. A meeting can be arranged for the interested accompanist(s) with our musical director to discuss his repertoire. Please drop me Ben Cheung a line if you are able and willing to take up this role or know someone who are.
This group is meeting every first and third Fridays of each month, from 14:00 to 16:00 in the Main Hall of the Sale Moor Community Centre. Members normally arrive at least 15 minutes before we start to sign-in and take the corresponding seating areas etc. routines.
Please drop me Ben Cheung a line if you want to join the group, or if you want to come for a taster session before deciding to join the group or not. We always endeavour to provide something for everyone, music taste wise.