THERE’S a lot of laughter among the singing at Wesleys, the community centre at Baildon Methodist Church.
I’ve joined the All Together Now Community Choir for a Tuesday morning session. It’s a relaxed, friendly group - there’s no pressure here, no auditions, just “a group of like-minded people singing music, from pop to rock and everything in between”.
The choir, open to anyone aged over 18, has branches in Baildon, Bingley, Skipton and Harrogate. It was established in 2015 by Chris Kemp, who conducts rehearsals and performances. “I was running a stage school and wanted to set up something for adults,” says Chris. “I did a tentative shout-out and 80 people turned up on the first night. It went from there.”
This choir is about much more than singing. Friendships are made here, and the choir sings regularly for local nursing homes and other community organisations. “We use the platform of singing to bring people together,” says Chris. “There are no auditions - we just say ‘come along and join us and have a go’.
In 2019 the choir raised £14,500 for local charities and it was decided to set up a charitable trust. Choir members suggest charities to support, and the focus is on three or four a year. “Singing is what brings us together. Supporting charities is what keeps us together,” says Chris.
The trust raises funds for local charities, including Street Angels; Bradford Nightstop; The Cellar Trust; Hive Bradford; Downs Syndrome Training and Support Service; Shipley Glen Tramway; the Murray Watston Trust; POPI Baby Bank, Keighley; Goldies singing group; Skipton Extended Learning for All, and food banks.
“All the money collected goes to the Trust account and the sub committee recommends charities. They are often local, smaller charities,” says Charitable Trust chair Ann McKay. “Choir members get involved in other ways too, like making cakes for our charity coffee mornings.
“We’re looking to support charities that use music to help with things like mental health and loneliness.”
The choir sang recently at Roberts Park bandstand and has more performances coming up, at events including Baildon’s Harley-Davidson Rally, Saltaire Festival and Haworth Steampunk Weekend, as well as Christmas concerts.
“We had a concert at St George’s Hall last September, it was an amazing experience to sing on that stage,” says Liz Robinson, chair of the charity sub committee. “The day after the Coronation nearly 100 of us sang in Baildon Community Garden.”
During the pandemic the choir continued to meet online. “It brought us closer together,” says Chris. “We were this madcap community; we had quizzes, a party line, I became a video DJ! In October 2020 we met in a marquee at Bradford and Bingley Rugby Club, wearing masks, with social distancing and restricted numbers. It was emotional to be together again. Then came the winter lockdown, and it wasn’t until September 2021 that we returned to meeting in person.”
The online sessions were a lifeline for some. “I live on my own and the Zoom meetings were a lifeline,” says Pam Cuthbertson. “They lifted us out of that awful gloom. I don’t think some of us would have got through Covid without them.”
Chris Gilliver, who husband, former Bradford City player Allan Gilliver, has dementia, says the choir “saved my sanity.”
“I was so low and isolated in lockdown,” says Chris. “I had no break in caring for Gilly. I saw the choir on Facebook but I wasn’t brave enough to join in. After lockdown my sister, Clare, persuaded me to join. My best friend sat with Gilly and Clare came with me for support. I was scared stiff - but it was wonderful. Everyone was so friendly, the music was brilliant, not a bit stuffy. Our MD, Chris, was full of jokes, the morning flew by and it was amazing to open up and sing again.
“It saved my sanity - not just the joy of music but the feeling of belonging. Chris came over to talk to me and was so understanding. He’s 100per cent invested in the healing power of music. I’ve met new friends here, we’re like a family.”
Meg Cookson, who joined six years ago, says: “I lost my son, it shattered me. One of my friends asked if I could sing so I gave it a go. I love this choir, it’s such a supportive network. We have a coffee together afterwards, the social aspect is a big part of it.”
“When I retired I missed the people,” says Gill Daly. “The choir has restored that social contact, and singing is very cathartic. You feel so good afterwards.
“It’s very inclusive; some of us have mobility issues and Chris makes sure we have seats and transport.”
“One lady, who comes to the musical theatre sessions on Fridays, is 95,” adds Chris Kinsella. “Singing in a choir keeps your brain active, and it has great social benefits. It was emotional meeting up again after Covid, then having the opportunity to sing together at St George’s Hall was amazing. It was a lovely celebration of who we are.”
While most members are female, there are some men in the choir too. “Chris is very good at relaxing us and keeping the mood light,” says Shep Shepherd. “I was a boy soprano and hadn’t sung since I was a boy. I saw the choir sing at Baildon Proms and decided to join.”
Mike Busfield joined 18 months ago: “I’ve had illness in my family and this is my stress relief. You don’t need to be a particularly good singer to join but it feels good to sing together, and it’s a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. We go to the pub afterwards on Thursday evenings.”
Tim Noble had always wanted to sing in a choir: “I enjoy feeling my voice in my chest, it’s a real pleasure and it gets better with practice. People are often nervous and shy at first, reticent about singing out, but you can hear them getting better. Learning songs is good for concentration.”
Adds Shep: “We sang last Christmas at a nursing home and one resident, who had dementia, was singing along to Silent Night. He knew all the words. Choral music is very powerful.”
Singing as a choir is “good for the soul”, says Chris Kemp. “We laugh a lot, we don’t take ourselves too seriously,” he smiles. “I always want people to walk away with a smile on their face.”
* For more about the Altogether Now Community Choir go to facebook.com/atnsing or call Chris Kemp on 07782 333835 or email admin@atnsing.co.uk
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