Musical director of choir steps down
THE HEAD of Burbage Community Choir is saying a fond farewell and ‘Thank You for the Music’ as he retires after five years.
Steve Johnson, musical director and founder of Harmonic Voices Burbage Community Choir, is retiring in July. Mr Carl Hodson who will take up the musical directorship of the choir in September.
His dedication to the fifty plus members has seen the choir go from strengthto-strength, performing to packed audiences, raising thousands of pounds for good causes and even going on tour.
It all started from humble beginnings when Steve, who is a natural voice practitioner, was interviewed by BBC Radio Leicester and put out a call to anyone who wanted to join a choir with no experience required.
As a result, Harmonic Voices was formed in September 2014 with a ‘come and try it’ workshop. To Steve’s surprise and delight, more than 90 people came to sing using the Natural Voice technique. Michelle McCreesh, from the choir, said: “Steve’s philosophy about singing is celebrating the voice we are born with and not trying to train it to be different.
“His accepting, non-judgemental method of teaching has been the basis of this community of singers and welcomes all voices into the group without audition.”
Harmonic Voices has even attracted media attention. In December 2016, Harmonic Voices Christmas Concert was filmed in St Catherine’s Church in Burbage. The choir featured in an ITV News article about the renewed interest in community choirs and singing.
Other public performances include The Community Choir Festival and Leicester Riverside Festival to name a few.
Harmonic Voices meets at 7.309.30pm on Wednesday evenings in term time at Connect, Windsor Street, Burbage. For more information contact Sylvia on 0737512308