Love to sing? The Quirky Choir is founded on the principle that everyone can sing, even those who may have been told in the past to shut up, stand at the back and mime!
Singing is fantastic exercise, filling the lungs with breath, increasing the heart rate and letting out pent up emotions. It's a great stress buster and has been shown to aid memory function. There is nothing quite like singing with a group of people and there is a superb sense of belonging to a community and sharing something very special.
We meet on Wednesday nights from 6.45 to 8.45. Most of the songs are taught by ear so there is no need to be able to read music. We generally start with simple warm up exercises, progress to rounds and chants and then to a broad variety of songs from different cultures and in different styles.
There is no pressure to perform but we do occasionally work towards special events. In the past we have sung in a community musical, participated in a professional opera and shared a performance with a group of South Africans and a local gospel choir. We have sung at The Point, Doncaster Dome, Leeds Royal Armouries Museum, at the M25 homeless shelter and in residential homes.
Our focus for the new term will be THE HEART. Singing from the heart, about the heart and for the heart, as we seek to spread the positive health benefits of singing.
The choir is open to anyone who loves to sing. Under 14s must be accompanied by an adult. Just turn up on a Wednesday evening or contact Janet for more information. We charge £3 per session. There is a break halfway through and refreshments can be purchased in our café.
If you want to find out more please contact Janet Wood on 01302 341662 or email jwood@thepoint.org.uk.
To read more about the benefits of singing, please visit http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2008/aug/26/healthandwellbeing.fitness.