It’s a perfect 10 for this vocal group
WEXFORD acapella group Stagefright may be stagefright by name, but they are certainly no longer stagefright by nature as they are currently carving a name for themselves in the music scene.
The all-female group of ten have just completed a recording workshop with Orchard Recording Studio in Enniscorthy, which they received through the Arts Department of Wexford County Council. They have also graced the stage in almost every big local venue in the town, including the National Opera House, Greenacres and most recently, St Iberius Church where they wowed the crowds on culture night.
Despite their growing success, Stagefright came from humble beginnings. Established in Rosslare Harbour in 2010 by friends Helen Delaney and Betty Furlong, the group was simply an outlet for women interested in singing.
‘I had been singing forever and was always involved in stage performance. Helen and I had been getting together with a couple of guitars and singing for a while so we decided to put this together,’ explained Betty.
‘We established it to give women an opportunity to try something different,’ explained Helen. ‘Over the years, it grew and we got other women involved. We would pick well known material and make our own vocal arrangements. We had to do it all by listening though as none of us could really read music. The process was very slow and painful.’
Things changed when the now musical director Rebecca Warren came on board. Rebecca, who holds a degree and masters in Music Performance helped her fellow members to learn to read music.
‘ The girls are all reading music now, whether they know exactly what they are reading or not,’ she said. ‘With most of the music we sing now, we make the arrangements ourselves. Other songs we sing are published by other artists.’
The group made their stage debut in small venues around the county and a time when they admit, they really were feeling the stagefright.
‘We were all terrified about going on stage. We were very very nervous,’ said Betty. ‘ This is why we chose the name. It was both appropriate and catchy.’
The ‘challenging’ nature of acapella added to these nerves, according to Helen.
‘You’re very exposed in acapella. There’s nowhere to hide. That was the challenge when we started. We just didn’t have the self-confidence to perform at that level,’ she said.
Following a number of small gigs and plenty of weekly rehearsals, their confidence increased tenfold, leading them to take on more ambitious gigs.
‘We have had several very successful gigs in recent times, particularly our gig on culture night. We were astounded with the crowds that came out. We were shaking in our boots but we were delighted,’ said Rebecca. Having grown together in the last six years, the ten women have also become close friends, which they agree is important for an Acapella group.
‘Everyone gets connected better with this style of singing which is great. It is important that everyone communicates with one another,’ said Rebecca.
‘We have so much fun singing together. It was through pure chance that we met but now everyone is really close.’
Getting to know their audience has also been a big part of their transformation.
‘We find that the audience likes to hear a different take on well-known songs. The audience warm to us if we present a song that they know already,’ explained Helen, who said that they sing everything from Van Morrison to the Beatles to George Ezra.
Stagefright are hoping to add two more members to their pack, namely sopranos. Though their criteria aren’t strict, it is important that the person can share in the group atmosphere.
‘It’s important that people gel as everyone is so vulnerable when you sing in the style we sing in,’ said Rebecca. ‘Once they have some music experience and a good enthusiastic attitude, we are up for everyone.’