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Bristol's Choir Explosion - by Elaine Wilson, Director of Riff Raff Choir

Posted on: 21 Jun 2016

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Is it just me or does it feel like there are choirs and singing groups popping up all over the place in Bristol? It’s been happening for a while, but the enthusiasm for group singing seems to be gathering pace rather than slowing down.

 

Since 2007, and Gareth Malone’s reality television series “The Choir” broadcast on BBC 2, there has been more media attention on choirs. The series focused on teaching choral music to those with no experience. This is the basis of the community choir network in Bristol: that anyone can sing. You don’t need to have musical training or be able to read music to raise your voice in song. Indeed, Bristol has been the home to community choirs taught in this way for almost 20 years, when People of Note and Gasworks Choir began, performing a variety of world, folk, soul, pop, jazz, blues, classical music and more. Also this year was the 16th year that Nick Petts (founder of People of Note and a member of the B Naturals) ran the Community Choir Convention in St George’s, which aims to bring together people in the South-West who share a love of singing, have a good sing and meet other choirs.

 

 

In 2009, a fictional U.S. television series called “Glee” hit our screens and sparked another waive of interest in group singing. The series focused on a Glee club in a U.S. school competing on the show choir competition circuit singing choreographed, a cappella, pop songs in harmony. In early 2010, I set up Riff Raff, an a cappella pop and rock choir, with fellow singing teacher, Joe Blench, teaching all the songs by ear, so that even those with no past musical experience could be involved. It was a raging success and over the past six years, the choir has grown from 50 to 280, now with four rehearsal groups in Clifton, Southville, Bishopston and most recently Fishponds.

 

On the back of this revived interest in choirs, particularly in younger members of the community we had Hollywood blockbuster, Pitch Perfect, in 2012, which brought an even wider appeal.

 

Of course, Bristol has always had a thriving music scene, being a hub for Drum ‘n’ Bass and Trip Hop in the underground music scene and boasting brilliant performance venues for classical, acoustic & more mainstream music such as Colston Hall and St George’s. However, you may not know that Bristol is the self-proclaimed “City of Song”.

 

Annually since 2010, for 10 days in October, Bristol holds the Festival of Song: an inclusive and city-wide celebration of the human voice. The festival helps showcase all the wonderful choirs and singing groups which the city has to offer, including a multitude of free events, so if you’d like a taste of what Bristol has to offer, this is a brilliant place to start.

 

 

But it’s not just media attention that makes people want to sing in a group. It’s all the benefits that come along with it.

 

The social benefits of group singing

 

Meeting new people: there are many members of Riff Raff who have joined the choir to meet new people after moving to Bristol, and this also helps prevent feelings of isolation which can happen when you move to a busy, vibrant city. Luckwinder, a past Riff Raff member, commented, “It was fantastic for meeting people after coming back to Bristol having moved out for a few years. Personally, as well as the added benefits of letting off steam, having a great time rocking out to some great tunes and singing some fantastically written pieces, it was so nice to hang out with people that weren't from work or other mums! I had lots of fun. Now I've moved to Lincolnshire and Riff Raff is genuinely one of things I miss the most from Bristol!” And yes, sometimes there is romance in the rehearsal room with four engagements (and counting) between choir members, including a very memorable proposal during our summer concert last year.

 

Bonding and stress relief: the Psychology of Music journal published a paper in March investigating how the psychological well-being of singing in a choir compared to solo singing or playing a team sport. The results were that those playing in a team sport or singing in a choir had significantly higher levels of well-being than solo singers, but on top of that choral singing gave the group a stronger bond and sense of a single entity. Gerry, a current Riff Raff member, comments, “I've always been a workaholic so never had time for social life. After losing both parents I made a decision: I gave up my job and looked for a hobby, and with much trepidation I emailed Riff Raff. I never told anyone I was going to a taster evening as I thought they would laugh at me and then I wouldn't carry on. How wrong I was! It was the best decision I ever made - my friends and family say they have never seen me happier. I love meeting new people and a sense of belonging to something that makes everyone smile.”

 

A natural high: all of us who have sung in a choir have experienced the dichotomy of feeling tired and having to drag ourselves out the house to go to a choir rehearsal, and the feeling of energy and light-heartedness that we leave that very same rehearsal with. Tracey, a current Riff Raff member, commented: “Singing in the choir gives me the high I used to seek through drinking and smoking. I am always uplifted and have a sense of wellbeing after singing - whether it’s in practice or a gig.”

 

 

The medicinal benefits of group singing

 

Did you know that the ancient Chinese character medicine is actually derived from the character for music? So perhaps music is not just food for the soul, but for the whole body?

 

Disease prevention: eCancer (an open access journal from the European Institute of Oncology and the OECI) published a paper in April about a study which found that just one hour of choral singing increases the levels of immune proteins which reduces stress and improves mood in cancer patients, carers and bereaved carers. If this is the effect of just one hour of singing in a choir, imagine the health benefits of regular group singing!

 

Help with existing conditions: besides singing helping to prevent disease, it can also be used to help existing conditions. MusicSpace, a Bristol charity based in Southville, provides music therapy for people with a range of needs, such as autism. MusicSpace says, “Making music puts you totally in the moment which is a beautiful place to be – open and in communication with those around you”.

 

 

So are you sold? Will you be running out and joining a choir tomorrow? We are very lucky in Bristol to have such a thriving and eclectic mix of choirs, community choirs & singing groups.

 

Often there are multiple groups in the city run by the same talented teachers. For example, Oli Poole, one of Riff Raff’s brilliant teachers, also teaches school groups for Handfuls of Harmony which is an exciting inter-generational community choir, aiming to get all parts of the community involved in singing from schools to care homes. Douglas V. Watts, another fantastic Riff Raff teacher, runs the South Gloucestershire Carers’ Choir for carers in the region and Bitton Community Choir.

Of course, if I haven’t managed to convince you to join a choir, the many Bristol choirs are always looking for experienced audience members (although beginners are welcome). Riff Raff will be performing their biggest concert yet, Riff Raff’s Grand Night Out , in Colston Hall on Sunday 24th July 2016 (£2 from every ticket sold will go to Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Appeal, which raises money for Bristol’s Children’s Hospital). The concert will be sure to leave you smiling, uplifted, and perhaps even inspired to join a choir!

 

For further information on Riff Raff Choir please check out the following links:

Website: RiffRaffChoir.co.uk

Facebook: facebook.com/RiffRaffChoir

Twitter: @RiffRaffChoir

Instagram: RiffRaffChoir

YouTube: youtube.com/RiffRaffChoir

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