The choir for people who can’t sing

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And here we are on BBC national news!

The choir for people who can’t sing

23 February 2016 Last updated at 04:38 GMT

A woman who was told to stop singing when she was a child because she was not good enough has set up a public choir.

Nadine Cooper avoided singing in public for years after her school music teacher told her she was spoiling it for everyone else.

Ms Cooper has now set up the Tuneless Choir in Nottingham for those who lack in confidence and need more practice.

BBC News went to join the 60 or so choir members at one of their rehearsals to hear how bad they actually were.

Produced by Sian Lloyd and Anne Delaney. Filmed and edited by Steve Lammiman.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-35634595

The Tuneless Choir

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Launching a new choir for people who can’t sing on Thursday 14 January at All Hallow’s Church. Find out more here:

Tuneless Choir launches in West Bridgford

A Tuneless Choir is being set up in West Bridgford, for those would love to sing in a choir but feel they can’t carry a tune.  It will be led by Bernie Bracha, Director of the Ruddington

Nadine Cooper (left) tries out a high note for Bernie Bracha, who will lead the Tuneless Choir.

Nadine Cooper (left) tries out a high note for Bernie Bracha, who will lead the Tuneless Choir.

and Lady Bay Community Choirs.

The Tuneless Choir was the idea of West Bridgford resident Nadine Cooper.

“The benefits of singing are well documented,” says Nadine.  “It releases endorphins – the brain’s feel-good chemicals.  And singing in a choir has been shown to have an even greater effect – it can reduce anxiety and depression, and increase life satisfaction.”

“When I was 11, our music teacher laid his hand on my arm and asked me to stop singing.  He told me I was spoiling it for everyone else.”

“Ever since then I’ve tried to avoid singing in public. But I feel I’ve missed out on a great Tuneless Choir Press Releasedeal of pleasure. I considered myself tone deaf until I met Bernie and she told me that was very unlikely.”

“A small percentage of people are actually tone deaf,” adds Bernie.  “But a lack of confidence and practice can mean a lot of others can’t sing in tune, which is known as being ‘tuneless’. Selecting the right songs and parts for someone’s voice can also make a great deal of difference.”

“I think we’re going to have a great deal of fun stomping through the songbook,” says Nadine.  “We’ve agreed that if anyone gets too good at singing they’ll be asked to join one of Bernie’s other choirs.  We want everyone to feel comfortable using their voice. This is about participation not performance!”

“My only worry is that Bernie will lay her hand on my arm…”

Anyone interested in joining the Tuneless Choir is invited to attend a launch event on Thursday 14th January from 7.30pm to 9.00 pm. The workshop will be held at All Hallows’ Church, West Bridgford, NG2 5BP. There will be a charge of £10 per person, including refreshments.  Book online at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/tuneless-choir-launch-event-tickets-20058980952

Ends

Note to Editors

There is much material around about the benefits of choral singing.  Here are a couple:

http://science.howstuffworks.com/life/inside-the-mind/emotions/singing-happy1.htm

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/11958201/Join-a-choir-to-make-friends-more-quickly-says-Oxford-University.html

Bernie Bracha can be contacted on 07735 461083 or berniebracha@gmail.com

Nadine Cooper can be contacted on 0797 934 4634 or nadine.cooper@ntlworld.com

 

 

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/tuneless-choir-launch-event-tickets-20058980952

http://www.nottinghampost.com/Choir-launch-West-Bridgford-people-t-sing/story-28462295-detail/story.html