Cirencester Singers: Creatives’ Champion Nominee 2020

Cirencester Singers is a fun, friendly, female community choir open to all ages and abilities! www.cirencestersingers.org 07769 725318

Suzanne founded the choir 6 years ago after wanting to join an informal choir that didn’t audition or rely upon sight-reading skills to take part. Suzanne is the glue that holds the choir together. Amy is Head of Music at Kingshill School and began directing singing groups while studying for her BA Music at the University of Leeds. She also teaches singing privately…this year, mostly on Zoom! Russell is a well-known face in the area, having taught Drama for many years in Cirencester. He teaches piano and plays in ‘The Curious Little Big Band’ and ‘Lost Luggage’. He keeps us in time, in tune and often in fits of giggles!

The choir sing a wide range of music including Adele, Eva Cassidy, Fleetwood Mac, Aretha Franklin, Stormzy…to name just a few.

Suzanne and Amy are so proud of Cirencester Singers and get a real buzz from seeing the choir go from strength to strength. They encourage solos and creative input from all members and have seen many shy singers take on solos for the first time, contribute to fundraising events and lend their graphic design skills. They have a strong sense of ‘building each other up’! The ‘Friends of Cirencester Singers’ group of helpers regularly raise money for the choir and local charities.

Over the years the choir have put on regular showcases as well as singing at the Advent Festival and Phoenix Festival. They are looking forward to collaborating with choirs such as Cirencester Male Voice Choir in the real world again soon!

 

The choir’s membership is made up of around 70 ladies of a wide range of ages, abilities and experience.  They have become a strong community and support each other. This has been particularly important in 2020 – members have really valued the connection of singing together, even when apart. The choir have held rehearsals remotely on ‘Zoom’ and even recorded a virtual choir video of ‘Over the Rainbow’ back in April from their homes.

‘Exceptional friendliness and a sense of achievement’

‘I feel so good after singing every Monday’

Singing is also officially good for you; it is said to have wide-ranging benefits such as:

• Helping with sleep
• Boosting mood
• Improving mental alertness
• Lowering stress levels
• Increasing confidence

Suzanne says…’I challenge anyone to walk away from a Cirencester Singers rehearsal without a HUGE SMILE on their face.’

The choir sing at weddings and funerals; singing a selection of carefully chosen songs/hymns and supporting congregational singing as needed.

Christmas is usually the choir’s busiest time – they would normally be filling the Parish Church with their own Christmas Concert, singing in the Market Place at the Advent Festival and singing carols at schools and care homes.

This year, they will not be beaten, and will STILL be singing Carols so do please join them if you can and spread some cheer in these tough times.