During 2010, we helped seven choirs from around the UK to run free six-week singing courses to teach people in their local communities. This project was funded by Arts Council England, and run in partnership with Choir of the Year and the British Association of Barbershop Singers (BABS).
Participants were taught the basics of singing, including how to look after the voice and sing in harmony. They learned about performance skills and rhythm and voice development across a range of different styles of music, from rock and pop through to the classics. They also learned to sing with confidence and discover the joy of group singing, whilst meeting new people and securing the huge health benefits that singing provides.
As part of our partnership with Choir of the Year, participants in the singing courses were invited to attend their nearest Area Selection day, and some found themselves performing on the stages of some of the UK's major music venues alongside some of the 200 singing groups of all ages and styles that take part in this important competition.
This project followed on from our hugely successful pilot Learn to Sing course in Egham in 2008, which resulted in 60 new members for Egham Choral Society and a further 80 who joined a new beginners’ singing group – which is still going strong!
We would be interested to hear from any groups that are inspired by this and would like to run their own Learn to Sing course.
