‘Friendly’ Woodford Green People’s Show Choir that’s led by a music prodigy

When The People’s Show Choir(TPSC) for Woodford Green is singing, their passion for music shines through along with their camaraderie. That’s not just from the singers but also their impressive conductor, who has been leading choirs since she was a child.

Sarina Rattan, Choir Leader for Woodford Green TPSC, is somewhat of a child prodigy. Now 25-years-old, she already has a string of musical achievements to her bow.

She comes from a musical family that opened her up to a love of music from a young age. Sarina’s dad, Manvinder Rattan, is a leading choral and orchestral conductor, who was the former Musical Director of the John Lewis Partnership Music Society along with CEO of music charity Voices Foundation.

“My whole childhood was musical because of my dad,” explained Sarina, who is a freelance conductor by profession, but alongside that pursuing a career in law.

“He brought us up musically. We always used to go to concerts that he was conducting, and then me and my sister picked up instruments when we were quite young.

“I picked up violin and we both played piano. Then I started to run some of the music clubs at school. I used to teach ukelele and guitar club when I was 15 and do chamber choirs and worked up to university, where I used to conduct choirs there too.”

Sarina went to the University of Birmingham and it was while she was there that she first got involved with The People’s Show Choir. Outside of conducting her Birmingham University choir and a community choir for Newman University, Sarina also started leading the TPSC for West Bromwich.

“It was almost the reverse of those families that won’t allow you to do music,” joked Sarina. “We were really encouraged to do music because it’s such a fun career to have and I guess that’s how I ended up in the position I’m in.”

“I find Law is so methodical and precise and serious, whereas music is way more fluid and interpretive and a really nice contrast to have in my life.”

Born and raised in Woodford in London, Sarina moved back there after graduating with a degree in Music and not long after, Woodford Green TPSC was launched in January 2024.

The choir currently has around 30 members. For many in this London community choir, it’s a way of de-stressing after a long day at work, but it has a mixed group of people in its fold. They range from some in their late 20s to older singers in their 70s and 80s, spanning various professions and they are always looking for new members.

There’s also those that have moved to London from other parts of the country and have found a friendly community at the choir. Some were originally from the West Midlands but have moved to London as adults.

One of them even loved it so much that during a six-month trip to Australia, she would pine for the rehearsal every week on a Thursday. As soon as she returned to London, she was back singing with TPSC in St Andrew’s Church in Woodford Green.

Sarina added: “We have such welcoming members in all voice parts. Everyone’s always ready to help and encourage with music reading or if they’ve got any questions.

“We have such a great community at the choir. We have people from all kinds of professions but it’s mostly non-music careers. That’s great because it means they are coming to choir to do something different from their work and something that de-stresses them.”

A few members have a musical theatre background, who did some performances during university days. “It’s like riding a bike,” said Sarina. “You can see the music on the page and pick it up quite easily. It means they can help out other people around them, which they often do.”

The choir sing an eclectic mix from traditional songs and musical favourites to contemporary hits. When I speak to Sarina, she is straight from a rehearsal where the choir was practising a pop song by Ed Shearan and Elton John.

Although a community choir, as part of The People’s Orchestra family, singers are getting the chance to perform at the renowned, grand Duke’s Hall in the Royal Academy of Music in central London on December 14.

“It’s such a beautiful building,” Sarina explained. “It’s historic, its acoustics are amazing and it has such a beautiful vibe, especially for Christmas.

“It encapsulates that festive mood and makes the audience and choirs feel really Christmasy. It’s a wonderful concert to go and see.

“Our choir was lucky enough to perform in there last year too, to the point that members are fighting for places this year. For those that don’t have the opportunity to perform in Duke’s Hall we always have local performances that happen every term.”

That includes doing a free Christmas concert at the Queen Elizabeth Pub in Chingford on December 28 from around 7pm.

They also hold regular events for friends and family to listen to their latest work, followed by a party with food and drinks. “They are intimate and fun and informal and everyone has a really good time,” said Sarina.

Performing in venues large and small is nothing new to Sarina. As a student, she performed alongside the esteemed City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra(CBSO) in Birmingham Town Hall.

That’s among her career highlights from a girl who started out co-conducting the chamber choir at her high school and became Head Chorister of her chapel choir in sixth form. More was to follow as Conductor of Upper Voices Chamber Choir during her first year at University of Birmingham before linking up with TPSC.

When asked if her dad feels proud of her, Sarina is humble as she chuckles “I guess so, I think so”.

Her focus now is on her latest choir at Woodford Green that she is passionate about.

“I think the choir members really value the community that we are building,” added Sarina. “They really love the people who are in it, and the people really do make the choir. They are so incredibly friendly.

“I’ve never known a group of people to be so open and fun. They all share a real love for music, which absolutely shows when they’re singing.

“They’re always eager to learn new things, always rise up to new challenges and are always welcoming to new people with such grace. I really appreciate that vibe as it makes my job so much easier and so much more enjoyable.”

The People’s Show Choir for Woodford Green meets every Thursday during term time from 7pm to 8.30pm at St Andrew’s Church, 56A Chindford Lane, Woodford Green, IG8 9QP. Find out more here about going along and having a taster session for TPSC.

Check out Woodford Green TPSC at a free Christmas choir concert for the community at the Queen Elizabeth Pub in Chingford on December 28 from around 7pm