New choir is seeking singers
A BRAND new women’s choir in Mottram St Andrew is looking for members.
BackBeat A Capella was set up by four friends with a love of singing - Hilary Pinnock, 58, a garden designer and the choir’s manager, Kate Ravenscroft, 50, a marketing executive, Chrissie Boden, 37, a high school drama teacher and Jayne Roper, 56, a district nurse and the choir’s musical director.
The choir will specialise in four part acappella, a singing style without accompaniment where one person sings high notes, the other sings low notes and the remaining two sing somewhere in between. The songs will be modern and great singing skills are not necessary. Hilary, 58, said: “It’s not all fuddy duddy songs.
“We’ll sing ones from bands like Queen and songs from the last decade and as it’s a four-part harmony people won’t sing on their own.
“For those who say they can’t sing, we ask if they’ve ever sung ‘Happy Birthday’ to anyone - if they have, then they can!” She added: “Singing is brilliant fun and a great stress reliever - who needs therapy when you can sing? It’s a great way to make new friends too.”
The ladies hope to recruit 40 members with around 20 registered so far.
Hilary said: “When I sing with a group of women there’s a tangible energy. When you know the songs and believe in them it’s incredible and makes me quite emotional.”
The choir will meet on Wednesdays from September 21 at Mottram St Andrew Village Hall from 7.45pm to 10pm. A free four week course will teach breathing, harmony, posture and musical interpretation.
There will then be a monthly subscription fee.
Call Hilary on 07975 927 423 or email hilary. pinnock@ntlworld.com.