Choir puts a popular twist on social singing
A new kind of choir is bringing together singers of all levels, from shower singers and car crooners to melody minstrels, to create sweet, sweet music.
The Voice Collective is a casual kind of choir that has no auditions and allows anyone who likes contemporary songs to come along to learn how to sing in a group.
Creator Tanya Nock says this style of choir is ‘‘taking off around the world’’, bringing together singers with different levels of experience ranging from none to extensive.
‘‘There’s been one in Canada for quite a few years, Brisbane in the last year, and in Leeds, so it’s kind of quite a new thing.’’
There is no emphasis on getting the song right, and it allows people of all skill levels to have a go.
The Voice Collective’s set list so far has included Massive Attack’s Teardrop and Rag ’n’ Bone Man’s Human. The next song it will tackle is Lucky Star by Madonna.
Sessions are held once a month, with a start time of 6.30pm and an entry fee of ‘‘whatever you can afford’’. Singers can meet for a wine, beer or tea from the Hollow Tea Store in Nelson’s Bridge St beforehand, then take their drinks upstairs to the Ghost Light Theatre, where the choir rehearses.
The choir has met twice since it started in October. The chance to meet up beforehand adds to the social feeling.
‘‘You can have a drink in your hand – that was the sort of image I wanted to create. But there’s also the tea factor. Some people have a cup of tea and sing – you don’t have to drink, but for some people it helps, I think,’’ Nock says.
Nock has been involved in Nelson’s arts community for many years, formerly directing drumming group Samba del Sol for seven years while also running the Nelson Central School choir and teaching violin at the Nelson Centre of Musical Arts.
She said belting out popular tunes in harmony with a group of people not only exercised the vocal cords, it helped mental health. Research showed singing was good for releasing endorphins. ‘‘It’s supposed to lower the cortisol levels and stress, so it’s very therapeutic.
‘‘There were quite a few people who came in feeling like they wanted to turn around and go away, but they were so glad that they came.’’
The last session saw 65 people aged from mid-20s to late 40s tackling the Massive Attack song together. Nock said some couples went together, and some single people came along to meet new people.
Nock said she had some other ideas for the concept, including quick singing sessions at lunchtimes.
‘‘Fifteen minutes and then going back to work . . . may be a possibility in the future.’’
The Voice Collective guitarist, musician and DJ Ryan Beehre, said meeting beforehand helped with easing into the session, making it more ‘‘informal and relaxed’’. He said there was no pressure on for people to be perfect singers, and they still got to experience the fun of singing together.
For more information, visit the Voice Collective group on Facebook. ❚ ❚
‘‘There were quite a few people who came in feeling like they wanted to turn around and go away, but they were so glad that they came.’’ Tanya Nock, Voice Collective creator