Harmony Lincs

LEARN TO SING - IN HARMONY

------oOo------

Read a report on the 'Harmony Taster' held on January 18th 2009 on the 'Club News' page

------oOo------

Sing In Harmony 2005

LINCOLN REVIVED BY SINGING COURSE

Just a few short months ago, at the end of 2004, the future of the Lincoln club looked decidedly questionable - most club nights attracted only eight or nine members, the average age was well above Saga's, and the Executive Committee had to consider whether the club was still viable.

Fast forward to today, and the Lincoln club is once again a vibrant and enthusiastic chorus of over 30 men regularly on the risers and the chords are once again ringing (and some can even hear the overtones!). It will come as no surprise to learn that the cause of this resurrection was a free harmony singing course as initiated by the Taunton club. The Lincoln Executive had decided that timing and planning would be crucial to the success of the course, and that the success of the course would be crucial to the continued existence of the club; if the course did not attract new members ten the club would in all probability close. Due to the critical need for the course to be a success, it was agreed that a significant sum should be invested in it and the final costings show that over £1,000 was spent on advertising, CD's, music and other items necessary to provide a professional and rewarding experience.

Chorus Director Tony Chapman project managed  the initiative and, with Richard Curtis as coach, led the course. Advertising in local papers and Parish magazines, a live interview on BBC Radio Lincolnshire and the active support (though no money on this occasion) of the City of Lincoln Council, resulted in 43 enquiries and 30 actual attendees, with a regular attendance of over 20. The course started on the 6th January and was scheduled for 10 lessons, but one had to be cancelled due to snow. the course concluded on the 10th March, which was (not co-incidentally) the day before the annual barbershop contest at the Lincoln Music & Drama Festival. Singing course members were invited to join the Lincoln club and then sing with them at the festival - and the enthusiasm was tremendous.

Thus, on Friday 12th March we competed against Lincoln Sounds, our female counterparts from Lincoln, and Major Oak, the men's chorus from just over the border in Nottinghamshire. Despite over half the chorus being graduates of the singing course, most of whom had not sung in public before, we triumphed emphatically, scoring two 'distinction' marks and winning the Andy Hodgson trophy, named in memory of one of our former members. The adjudicator, David Straughan, commented that this was 'A choir of which you must be very proud.... great fun'. He also said the chorus rendition of 'I Believe', 'A lovely warm sound showing full contril of the ensemble.... most impressive'. What a night!

The majority of the course members have joined us, voice assesments on all club members, both old and new, have been completed and the future looks decidedly rosier than it did just those few short months ago. It has meant that the whole repertoire has had to be learnt as over half the chorus are new, but it has created an exciting and enthusiastic environment. Thanks Taunton for the initiative, thanks Tony and Richard for your fantastic commitment, and thanks to those intrepid men who decided that a free harmony singing course might be worth trying. Lincoln has been saved!

Alan Goldsmith - PRO.   
Reproduced from 'Harmony Express' April 2005    

 Download & Save this story