Disney soundtracks to hit musicals in new term at community choir and orchestra

Ask members of The People’s Orchestra and Show Choir what’s their favourite thing that keeps them coming back and the most common answer will be the music.

Famed for its relaxed, fun atmosphere and soundtrack to match, regulars are used to turning up to rehearsals to practise uplifting favourites. That could be a pop hit or song from the shows.
The musical repertoire unlike similar community organisations ranges from popular favourites – from Katrina and The Waves’ Love Shine A Light to the movie theme from Ghostbusters.

So, it’s no wonder that musicians in The People’s Orchestra(TPO) and singers across the UK in local The People’s Show Choir(TPSC) branches are excited to learn what a new term of music will have in store.

There will be more festive music added as Christmas approaches but the September term starts with a mix of well-known classics to ease in regulars and newcomers, beginning their journey with the national charity.

Here’s what they all have in store over the coming months at their weekly rehearsals.

The People's Orchestra and The People's Show Choir performs on the stage and stalls at Birmingham Symphony Hall to the audience.

For TPO, there’s a movie theme running through the coming season that includes an Oscar-nominated song from a Disney film.

TPO will be playing:

When She Loved Me from Toy Story 2, nominated for an Academy Award in 2000.
Monsters Inc theme tune
Pure Imagination from Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory
Music from film Stardust
Rhythm Of Life from Sweet Charity
The Nightmare Before Christmas soundtrack excerpt
Music from movie Treasure Planet
Flight To Neverland from the film Hook

Choirs in TPSC have more of a musicals theme to get to grips with in the autumn term with more added after October. Some are the same as the orchestra’s line-up, to prepare them to perform together at a future concert.

Songs for TPSC this term include:

Another Op’nin’ Another Show from Kiss Me, Kate, written by Cole Porter
Oom-Pah-Pah from Oliver
Pure Imagination from Charlie & the Chocolate Factory
Rhythm of Life from Sweet Charity

There’s plenty to keep members excited in coming rehearsals and one of the main reasons so many stick around year on year. Musicians in TPO need to have reached Grade 7 or above to join, while singers can be at any level for the choir and don’t need to know how to read music.

Annie Routley, a violaist in TPO, joined because of the type of music she could play including an iconic movie hit. She is one of the longest-standing members who meet every Sunday from 4pm until 7pm in term time, to rehearse at Trefoil House in Birmingham city centre.

“I joined TPO from the very outset, in 2012, because l wanted to play Star Wars and other great movie themes,” explained Annie. “It’s 14 years in and l am still loving it!”

Stephanie from the choir at Dudley TPSC also enjoys the music repertoire they get to sing every week at DY1 Community Centre in Stafford Street on Mondays from 7.30pm to 9pm.
“It’s my total happy place,” said Stephanie. “I get to sing, laugh, meet new people and have an altogether marvellous time.”

Anyone interested in joining or beginning with two taster sessions can see more on The People’s Orchestra here, which has branches in Birmingham and Wales, and find their nearest The People’s Show Choir here.

By The People's Orchestra