Choir celebrates 20 years of joy

ACOMMUNITY choi r i s “delighted” to be celebrating its 20th birthday this March. Sounds International, based in East Renfrewshire’s Netherlee Church, sang together for the first time back in 2003.

With a mixture of men and women, the 35- person group is still “absolutely loving it” after two decades together.

Jeff Fineman, chairperson of Sounds International, said: “We’re delighted we’ve made it this far.

“Especially given the hurdles that were presented to us during Covid where we rehearsed and performed over Zoom.

“After all this time, though, we still make as good a sound as ever.”

Jeff has been part of the “core element” of members who have been in the choir for nearly 20 years.

Beginning the year after it was formed, Jeff began singing tenor for Sounds International and worked his way into the position of chairperson around seven years ago.

The choir was formed by Eddie Binnie, who started the group on a multifaith basis, which it still is today.

Jeff said: “That was Eddie’s aim; to bring all faiths together through the power of music.

“We just want to sing music that doesn’t offend anyone and to reach out to the surrounding communities through the choir.”

Over the years, Sounds International has been responsible for giving back to Netherlee, East Renfrewshire and the wider communities through song.

Throughout the year, the choir puts on a number of concerts and performances to raise money for local and national charities.

So far, the group has raised a grand £ 80,000 for important causes including Mary’s Meals, Barnardo’s, NM First Responders, Prostate Cancer UK and Mission Voices.

Also at concerts the group collects toiletries and other essentials from attendees, which it then passes on to East Renfrewshire Good Causes, a charity that aims to advance community development and citizenship.

To celebrate the mountain of community and charity work over the years, the members of the choir have plans to “let their hair down”.

The 61- year- old added: “We are definitely going to be celebrating.

“In the past, we have a social event, and we’re hoping this year we can get them back up and running again to celebrate 20 years.

“Just a bit of fun, food and party pieces. It’ll be great.”

The choir will also be performing a summer concert of musicals this year which will also be celebratory of their monumental birthday.

The choir is led by young members of The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland who decide the group’s music per session and lead them in song.

Jeff stated that the experience is good for the youngsters as it is something they won’t always get.

He added: “It’s a match made in heaven for us, and them.”

The choir rehearse every Tuesday between 7.30pm and 9pm.