Council choir is pitch perfect
A group of musical North Ayrshire Council workers formed a workplace choir two years ago.
The singers have gone from strength to strength, winning singing competitions and they are now competing at the Ayrshire Music Festival. Last year the 30- strong choir came joint second at the event.
And on Wednesday night at their rehearsal base in Kilwinning Academy, it was serious hard work as the singers focus on taking first place at this year’s competition.
Musical director Mae Murray’s passion for the choir is clear to see as she has the sopranos pitch perfect, the second singers finely tuned and the alto’s making each chorus of the songs they are rehearsing, just right.
Accompanied by David Rocks of Greenwood Academy, the choir spent two hours practising their songs for the Music Festival contest.
And there’s not just singing as they rehearse their dance moves too.
Choir member, Isabel Marwick beamed as she spoke about her idea to set up a choir.
“It started in March 2015 just for a bit of fun,” said Isabel.
“It was when Gareth Malone was running his programme Sing While You Work.
“I thought it would be a great idea to bring North Ayrshire Council staff together to try and form a choir and to my delight people came along and were interested.
“We now have a core membership of 30 and it’s going really well.
“We have staff from right across NAC who would never have had the opportunity to meet, we also have a few retired employees who have carried on coming along to the choir.”
The choir has been out singing in the local community too.
You may have heard them at the opening ceremony of Marymass at the Kilwinning Segdoune Carnival, the switching on of Dalry Christmas Lights.
The Workplace Choir has also taken part in Christmas fundraising concerts in local churches in St Margaret’s in Dalry; St John’s in Stevenston; St Winnin’s in Kilwinning and St Peter’s in Ardrossan as well as performing Christmas carols at the Ayrshire Hospice.
Isabel went on: “Our Musical Director Mae Murray and accompanist David Rocks both give up their time to do this and have been a great inspiration to the choir.
“For many of the members it was the first time joining a choir and they have both been fantastic at bringing us all together.
“The benefits of singing are well documented, how it can reduce stress, but I think our wee choir works so well because it’s just good fun, it’s a great pick you up after a busy day at work.”
Turn to page 41 to see the members of the North Ayrshire Council Workplace Choir belt out some big numbers.
The benefits of singing are well documented, how it can reduce stress, but I think our wee choir works so well because it’s good fun and a great pick you up after a busy day at work Isabel Marwick