Basingstoke ObserverFORMER Park House School Head of Drama Hannah Baron has reprised Basingstoke’s long-running community choir Sing for Fun, and is back teaching in person this year.
Hannah, who herself was a member of Sing for Fun for four years, was so inspired by what a community choir can achieve, that she decided to take over when her predecessor Jane Bibb recently moved to France.
Hannah explained: “The choir has been established since 2004 and has become well known for its performances at local events, as well as further afield. The members have created life-long friendships and so when Jane announced her move there was genuine sadness that an era was coming to an end. As someone who had enjoyed being a part of this musical community, I felt I could pick up the conductor’s baton and help make sure this group gets to celebrate its 20-year anniversary.”
In April 2020, the choir went online, allowing its members to continue to learn, improving their vocal skills and understanding, and even recording a few numbers. But Hannah, who directed and produced many school musicals, singing groups and choirs in her fifteen years as a drama teacher, was keen to get in-person singing going again as soon as she could and has revived the weekly sessions.
“The health benefits from singing are well documented – from it being a great workout for your lungs, to improving mental alertness and helping to lower stress. Coming together online was really important, helping us to remain connected throughout the lockdowns – it was a real reminder that communal singing taps into something quite ancient in our humanity, something that almost all people do everywhere and have done throughout time. It’s not about perfection or performing, it’s about the act of coming together and creating.
We don’t hold auditions, there are no solos; Sing for Fun’s ethos has always been about the amazing sound we can make together, as a choir, by people who perhaps wouldn’t consider themselves singers or performers. You don’t have to be able to read music, you don’t even have to have sung before. So many people who have come along previously didn’t think they could sing… and yet they have found their voices within a group of supportive people.
We sing in two, three or four part harmonies, so there is a part for every range of voice. But we don’t label people sopranos, altos, tenors and basses – everyone can choose and switch between the parts they sing for each song we learn. This approach really helps people to develop their range and also try something new… just for fun! There is online supported learning too, with recorded tracks to listen and practise to between sessions.
I write our arrangements, so the songs are unique to us as a group – and variety is key, everything from a capella and musicals to modern and classic pop. For instance, last term we learned the 1930s song Dream a Little Dream, the most known version being the 1960s Mamas and Papas’ hit version, and then at the other end of the scale I wrote a piano version of the club anthem Titanium.”
The group is well-known for its local performances – having regularly appeared at Highclere Castle, The Newbury Show, The Hawk Conservancy Trust and at Christmas events throughout Berkshire and Hampshire – and they have even been to London and Italy to perform and were part of an exchange programme with a French choir.
Currently Hannah runs weekly term-time sessions in Basingstoke on Monday evenings at Castle Hill Primary School on Winklebury Way, as well as Tuesday evenings in Newbury, Wednesday nights in Reading and soon will be starting Thursday evenings in Andover.
“If you’re a bit hesitant, I encourage you to come along for a free taster session so you can meet us and find out more about what we do. The sessions are fun, relaxed and full of friendly, welcoming people who just love to sing for fun. There is no pressure to join the performance choir… that’s just an added bonus for those who want to.” Hannah concluded.
If joining the choir is of interest to you, Sing For Fun is offering anyone reading this article two free tasters, instead of the usual one, so you can pop along for two weeks for free to find out if
Sing for fun is for you! Simply email [email protected] for more information and to book your place.
Follow on Facebook @singforfunchoir, Instagram @singforfunchoirs and for more information and to book, see the website www.singforfun.co.uk.
