Easy change that is putting The People’s Show Choir at the heart of every community

Singers in all The People’s Show Choirs(TPSCs) have been connecting more with their communities after hyper-local concerts were launched this year. Here’s a look back at one of the largest that took place this summer and how this change is making a difference.

First there were massed concerts that gave TPSC singers nationwide a spotlight to perform together to the public alongside The People’s Orchestra. But as that didn’t seem enough, choir leaders decided to launch new ‘end of school year’ community concerts for every TPSC in the country over the summer.

While it would be a way for singers to realise how much they’d achieved in the past 12 months and the friends they’d made along the way, the summer concerts also opened the door to something more meaningful.

It allowed TPSCs across the UK to be at their heart of their communities and create a stronger bond with them, through music. One of the largest of these summer TPSC gigs to take place was in the West Midlands, where three groups came together to perform.

TPSCs for Sutton Coldfield, Halesowen and the emergency services’ Choir Brigade – connected to West Midlands Fire Service – joined forces for the Summer Extravaganza.

They already had one important thing in common – their choir leader Chris Weber – who conducts them all during his busy weekly schedule. With that in mind, it made sense for the three choirs to perform together for an extra special and larger production.

Finding a venue large enough to fit them all and the audience was going to be the next hurdle, but it ended up being a historic, grand spot that made the gig all the more of an occasion.

For the choirs ended up holding the concert in the Royal town of Sutton Coldfield, on the outskirts of Birmingham. Even better was that it was within the Edwardian walls of its stately Town Hall, which has listed status.

On Sunday July 20, nearly 200 singers came together, undeterred by temperatures soaring in the British heatwave. After months of rehearsals, practising constantly at home and with a few nerves jangling with stage fright, this was their moment to impress relatives and locals keen on a value for money day out.

Chris Weber, who conducted his TPSCs at the concert in Sutton Coldfield Town Hall, recalled: “As it was a joint concert between the three choirs, there were 180 people singing and then 300 people in the audience, so the experience was absolutely brilliant.

“The stage was absolutely full and overflowing, then in front of the stage was the band. It was very hot and I think I sweated off five stone from the heat from losing all my body fluids,” joked Chris.

“This was the first time we had performed in Sutton Coldfield Town Hall and the first time of doing our own concert like this. Every TPSC did their own this summer.

“Choirs had never had the chance to do their own concerts before in their own way; but we wanted to give all the choirs the opportunity and time to connect with their local communities on a local level.

“It really was fantastic.” The summer concerts mean that the different identities and styles of every show choir can shine through. Whether it’s down to the songs they sing or the make-up of the group.

The concerts at grassroots level also act as a way of attracting new choir members or promoting the charity work and other worthy endeavours of The People’s Orchestra family.

Chris described how he wanted this Sutton Coldfield concert to “really pack a punch”. He organised for each of Sutton Coldfield, Halesowen and the Choir Brigade to perform four songs on their own along with more tunes that they did together as a larger group.

Choral music ranging from pop hits to stage musical favourites entertained at the sell-out show. Yet it was a treat for the singers as well as the audience.

Sutton Coldfield TPSC member John Murray enjoyed being able to perform at a local venue to his loved ones. He added: “I really enjoyed singing at this concert. The room has a lovely warm atmosphere and felt more intimate than the larger shows.

“Because the sound was more concentrated, I loved being enveloped by all of our voices. With a stripped-down band I felt that our harmonies really shone through.”

John is one of over 100 people who attend rehearsals for the Sutton Coldfield choir. Its popularity is growing as the group had the most people turn up for the new term in September of 105 people.

The success of this year’s concert means that the trio of choirs are planning to come together again for the Summer of 2026. Next time, the concert will be in Halesowen.

Sutton Coldfield’s The People’s Show Choir meets every Wednesday during term time to rehearse from 7pm to 8.30pm at Highbridge Hall in Wylde Green URC Church, 72 Britwell Road, Sutton Coldfield, B73 5SW.

For anyone interested in joining Halesowen’s The People’s Show Choir, the group meets on Mondays during term time from 7.45pm to 9.15pm at The Hasbury Club, 91 Blackberry Lane, Halesowen, B63 4NZ.

The Choir Brigade is connected to West Midlands Fire Service current and previous employees. Anyone interested can find out more at The People’s Show Choir website here.