A sense of connection and belonging, improved self-esteem and even better lung health – these are just a few of the reasons why people are drawn to join a community choir. It seems that something very special happens when people come together to sing – and you don’t have to be the next Adele or Ed Sheeran to join in.
“We think that if you can talk, you can sing,” says Marilyn Tucker, Creative Director and Chief Executive at Wren Music. The Okehampton-based community folk arts organisation runs five weekly open access choirs across Devon, as well as a men’s singing group, MenSing, a women’s singing project, Her Story, and a programme for people with respiratory conditions such as COPD and long Covid, called Singing for Wellness. The leaders for these groups are trained by the British Lung Foundation and the sessions involve breathing exercises and voice releasing along with specially arranged songs. “It’s like making their physio more fun,” says Marilyn.
There are no auditions for any of Wren’s choirs and no need to be able to read music, as the choirs sing by ear. Folk music is at the centre of what Wren does and Marilyn says this lends itself well to community choirs as it is approachable and accessible. The arrangements for Wren’s choirs are based on the natural voice, usually for three parts, low, middle and high. People aren’t assigned to one part but can try out different ranges and explore their own voice.
It’s like making their physio more fun.
That experience of finding your voice alongside others can be transformative, especially for those who have always believed they couldn’t hold a tune. “There are so many benefits to singing,” says MJ Saunders, Director of Soul Singers CIC in Plymouth. As well as research suggesting that singing can reduce feelings of stress, MJ says people seem to bond more quickly when singing together than when taking part in other hobbies. “It’s great for developing positive relationships with people and a sense of belonging.”
MJ set up Soul Singers when she was pregnant with her second child, initially offering groups for other mums with a focus on singing for wellbeing. MJ explains that, after becoming a parent, she struggled with a loss of confidence and increased anxiety levels. Singing made her feel happy and positive and she was passionate about sharing that with others.
Soul Singers has now evolved to include a community session that is open to all. Again, there are no auditions for any of the sessions, no assigned parts and all abilities are welcome. “Whether people think they can sing or not, we say come along, there’s no judgement,” says MJ.
That sense of a singing group being a safe space, free from judgement, is very much at the heart of Unleashed Community Choir in Torquay too. The choir is run by Unleashed Theatre Company alongside Unleashed Community Drama, which was formed to provide a supportive environment where people who have experienced homelessness, are ex-offenders or in recovery from addiction can come together to build on their self-esteem and explore performance skills. Paul Martin, Finance and Operations Manager at the theatre company, explains that the choir grew out of the drama group. It now meets every Tuesday evening and while it is open to everyone, those in recovery from addiction or who live with any form of mental illness are especially welcome.
“There’s a fantastic mixture of all walks of life,” says Paul. Members range from those in their 20s to those in their 80s and many are dealing with a variety of challenges, but the choir is a place where everyone supports one another. “People get to spend time together and just have fun with no stigma or judgement,” says Paul.
La La Choirs –Plymouth, Exeter, Exmouth and Ottery St Mary.
SPECTRUM Choir for LGBTQ+ people and their friends – Exeter.
Brent Singers – South Brent.
Newton Community Choir – Newton Abbot.
Dartmoor Harmony – Moretonhampstead and Chagford.
Hands in Harmony BSL Signing Choir – Plymouth.
The Voice Community Choir – Barnstaple.
