Do you enjoy singing but would not regard yourself as an obvious candidate for a formal Choral Choir? Then you may be interested to hear about a local community choir, Village Voices.
Although based in Towersey, its members come from many places in the surrounding area, including Chinnor, Thame, Princes Risborough, Monks Risborough, Haddenham and further afield. Village Voices meet on Friday evenings in term-time at Towersey Memorial Hall between 7.30pm and 9.30pm. The weekly cost is £5, or £1 for students, and it doesn't matter if you can't come every week.
Village Voices sing all types of songs from all over the world – traditional, folk, pop, ballads, gospel, jazz, blues...you name it, they try it! Members learn these songs by listening and copying, from simple rounds and chants to glorious harmony singing, songs from a wide range of musical traditions. So you don't need a formal training or the ability to read music.
Neither do you have to audition for the choir – you just need to like singing, or want to have a go at singing, even if you haven't done so for a long time.
There have been many reports recently about how good singing is for you, both mentally and physically, but basically community choirs are all about having fun – no-one is excluded, no-one is asked to sing solo, no-one is made to feel bad if they can't quite get that note; everyone is welcome.
Very occasionally Village Voices perform in public, with the emphasis being on having fun rather than being perfect! Over the last few years they've sung at the Towersey Festival, Towersey Village Fete, Music in the Park in Thame, Chinnor Village Centre Christmas Fayre and, most recently, at the St. Andrew's Chinnor Christmas Tree Festival and at Thame Market.
Some members also joined the Oxford Community Choir in the Christmas Light Festival Day of Song, singing in the Clarendon Centre, the Jam Factory and onstage in St. Giles – all great fun.
New members are always welcome, so please do have a look at the Village Voices website for further information, or call Madeleine on 01844 352468 or Ruth on 01844 352894.
You can also Email: villagevoices.towersey@gmail.com.
Singing begins again on Friday 10th January, and organisers look forward to hearing from you.
