How Do We Learn?
Relaxation and vocal technique skills
We always have a 10-15 minute warm up which focuses on the breathing and vocal techniques to create a good sound.
Develop basic aural awareness and pitching skills
We do this by singing call and response songs - the conductor sings and the choir sings back. This helps to fine tune the pitch - most people are not tone deaf, but they may not be used to replicating the sounds used by the singing voice. This technique provides that opportunity.
We use music - even if singers cannot read music
The only way to learn a language is to immerse yourself in it - everyone is provided with music copies and guided gently around it. Gradually singers learn what a repeat sign looks like, how to navigate around the music and decipher some of the musical short terms. Nobody is expected to sight sing or know the names of the notes or how to pitch them. They just learn musical map reading. Individual voice recordings are also provided so that members can practise at home and follow the music if they wish.
We sing in two or three part harmony
Everybody wants to sing the tune! It sounds so much better though, and very satisfying, when we can add some harmony in there. Simple rounds help us get started, but then we sing pop classics, jazz and swing, gospel and folk too. Sopranos and tenors sing together (both higher voices) and altos and basses (lower voices). Safety in numbers! We do have a good tenor/bass/baritone section though so occasionally we have a go at three part and let the chaps (and we have some lady tenors too!) have a voice part to themselves.
A good support network
Above all this choir is friendly and supportive of each other. We generally have a couple of social get togethers in a year too - we look forward to welcoming new members!
