Birmingham Opera Student Gains Valuable Experience Leading Local Community Choir

Music student Abigail Neil has been singing since she was eight-years-old, so couldn’t resist applying when she saw an advert to head up a community choir for The People’s Show Choir (TPSC).

For the past six months, Birmingham Opera Student Abigail has led the TPSC’s West Bromwich choir and she explained how the job has developed her skills more than she ever imagined.
Currently studying for an undergraduate degree in Opera at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (RBC), the 19-year-old from Edinburgh, who now lives in Birmingham, loves nothing more than to sing, although she also plays the French Horn.

So, after noticing a callout for the maternity cover position by TPSC on Facebook, she jumped at the chance to apply and have an audition. Abigail immediately impressed TPSC bosses, who have a long history of nurturing young talent and working with trainees and students along with its sister organisation, The People’s Orchestra.

By day, Abigail is a second year student, but by night, she has been leading West Bromwich TPSC since October after regular choir leader Charlotte Champneys took maternity leave.
Although she receives conducting lessons at university with Julian Wilkins, conductor of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) Youth Chorus, she had never led a community choir before and said she has found the experience “so valuable”.
“I’ve been a choral singer for 11 years as I started singing when I was eight-years-old,” explained Abigail. “I’d led a choir twice at university, but nothing like this community choir with members of the public.

Leading TPSC West Bromwich was something Abigail describes as “super” and “hard work that paid off”. Photo credit: Neil Kennard

“West Bromwich TPSC is a really lovely choir that is open to ideas. Everyone was so welcoming to me and put me at ease as I didn’t know what to expect when I first started.
“Confidence was my main issue. I was so much younger than everyone in the choir as I’m 19 and the average age is about 40, but it has allowed me to step into my own shoes.”
The role with TPSC even gave the student her first opportunity to conduct the choir in public at a Christmas concert. It was something Abigail describes as “super” and “hard work that paid off” and definitely an achievement she can now add to her CV.
It’s also been a time of learning and developing new skills in the real world, while having the support of the TPSC team of experienced choir leaders for advice and back-up whenever Abigail needed it.

“I’ve learned a lot during my time as West Bromwich’s choir leader,” ponders Abigail. “There’s a real difference between just singing and leading a choir.
“I had to think about the structure of the choir sessions as you need rehearsal plans organised in advance. I also have a clear idea of what the choir needs from me now.

“Most of all, I had to take charge and have confidence that came across to everyone that I knew what I was doing.
“I always asked them for feedback and what people mentioned were repeating things in rehearsal and speaking louder.”
Abigail lead the choir in one final informal concert called ‘Spring Sing: West Bromwich’ at All Saints Parish Church in West Bromwich on March 18. It included songs that her singers have been working on in recent months inlcuding ‘Make Your Own Kind Of Music’, ‘Proud Corazon’ (from Disney Pixar’s Coco) and ‘Dancing Queen’.

“Events planning is something I super enjoy, and having (most of 😂) my choir trust me to bring it all together is the best feeling” Abigail said. The performance proved to a success with everyone including previous leader Charlotte and her new daughter enjoying the live setlist. But touchingly, her singers clubbed together to present a surprise ‘leaving gift’ for Abigail: assorted flowers and – most fittingly – a bona-fide conductor’s baton! “I was so proud of how well everyone did and they all came away smiling in the end!” she added.

Abigail performing her ‘Wicked For Good’ duet at Birmingham Town Hall, Xmas 2025

Even beyond West Bromwich, many members of TPSC and TPO recognise Abigail and her stunning voice as she also performed at their Christmas concert in Birmingham Town Hall. She performed a duet with RBC peer Jessica Johnson of the song ‘For Good’ from Wicked the Musical that you can watch here.

As her placement as choir leader comes to a close, it’s heartening to hear that the experience that once seemed so daunting to Abigail has now sparked her enthusiasm for more.
“I would love to work for a choir again,” added Abigail. “I took part in the TPSC Choir Leader Course and if there is an opening for a new choir, that may lead to something.
“I’ve found that I love helping people to sing and leading sectionals and all the feedback I’ve had has helped me become a better musician.

Everyone of all ages enjoyed West Brom’s Spring Sing local concert. Photo credit: Charlotte Champneys

“It’s been so valuable. My time with TPSC has helped me enjoy the craft that I’m so passionate about.”
Abigail is working towards a career that she hopes will land her dream jobs in Sydney Opera House or The Met Opera in New York. So, keep an eye out for Abigail in the future as we have no doubt there’s plenty more to come from this young talent.

TPSC and TPO fall under the umbrella of The People’s Orchestra Charity, which is dedicated to creating opportunities that empower individuals and transform lives. That involves using music to enrich people’s lives in the community, but also by offering work placements to young people and welcoming in students to help them gain more experience, both of which make them all more employable.

Find out more about The People’s Show Choir in West Bromwich here. The choir meets at All Saints Parish Church, in All Saints Way, West Bromwich, B71 1RU, every Wednesday during term time from 7pm to 8.30pm. Sign up for the first two sessions free on the TPSC website here or drop-in at the start of rehearsal to find out more.