Notes 🎶 from the Music Director…
Choirs have been part of my life for over 50 years, ever since I began my singing journey as a founder member of the renowned Mansfield based girls choir, Cantamus. I have sung in numerous professional choirs and vocal ensembles, founded my own choirs, and directed many more. From my own experience and from worldwide research the evidence is clear: choirs are good for us. Singing in a choir provides us with so many positive experiences, embodying the idea of ‘the whole is greater than the sum of its parts’. From our engagement with a choir we learn cooperation, commitment and teamwork, we find community and new friends, we experience the wonder of joining our voices with others to make thrilling and beautiful harmony, learn new aspects of the power of music, and discover the joy that music the can bring to our listeners. Then there is the support each singer feels from all around them: you are never alone and when it comes to the difficult passages there will always be someone there to help you along, put you back on track, or share your struggle. Expectations and judgments can be left at the door – as long as everyone does their best, that is all that matters. And of course we all know of the studies that show that singing improves your health, gives you a more positive outlook, and acts as a blissful retreat from the problems of the outside world.
Then, of course, there is the music – of all eras and genres. Where else would you have the opportunity to experience (and create!) the beauty of the Baroque, the joy of the Classical, the grandeur of the Romantic, as well as the fun of contemporary Pop…or Jazz…or Musical Theatre? Orchestras might come close, but they are devoid of words, that added dimension that makes singing so rich and meaningful to so many people.
As a choir member, there is so much to relish and so much life-enhancing experience to be had…Are you ready to join us on our exciting journey?