Encore for Newbury community choir Sing for Fun

Former Park House School head of drama Hannah Baron has taken up the singing baton from Jane Bibb to keep a singing group going.

Hannah, who 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 moved to France recently.

“The choir has been established since 2004 and has become well known for its performances at local events, as well as further afield,” says Hannah. “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 15 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 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 Royal County of Berkshire Show, The Hawk Conservancy Trust and at Christmas events throughout Berkshire and Hampshire.

They have also performed in London and Italy and were part of an exchange programme with a French choir.

Currently Hannah runs weekly term-time sessions in Newbury on Tuesday evenings at the Majendie Hall in Speen, as well as Monday nights in Basingstoke, Wednesday evenings in Reading and she will soon be starting Thursday evenings in Andover.

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 come along for two weeks for free to find out if Sing for fun is for you. Simply email enquiries@singforfun.co.uk for more information and to book your place.

You can follow Sing for Fun on Facebook @singforfunchoir, Instagram @singforfunchoirs and for more information and to book, see the website www.singforfun.co.uk

Hannah said: “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.”