From Ozzy Osbourne tributes to London busking – The People’s Orchestra and Show Choirs are anything but dull!

Members of The People’s Orchestra and Show Choirs are braced for anything when it comes to their next piece of music. It can range from pop hits to movie favourites, but that became even more eclectic this year, venturing into rock music.

The People’s Orchestra charity – for those that want to rekindle their love of music – is always keeping its ideas and events fresh. It gives members a chance to perform anything from Star Wars soundtracks at Comic Con to singing in unique spots like on a pier or at grand London venues.

But there was a concert with a difference when musicians got the chance to pay tribute to heavy metal icon Ozzy Osbourne in his beloved home city of Birmingham.

Following the unexpected death of the Black Sabbath frontman, shortly after his final homecoming gig, Birmingham became a city in mourning. Widow Sharon Osbourne and his children even held a funeral procession through the city centre, past the famous Black Sabbath bench and new mural to the band in Navigation Street.

It was around this time and amidst this backdrop that The People’s Orchestra(TPO), The People’s Big Band, and The Rusty Player’s Orchestras from Black Country and South Birmingham were performing at their outdoor Summer Jam Under The Sky charity gig.

It would be at Midlands Arts Centre(MAC) in Edgbaston, just a few miles from where thousands of remembrance flowers, poems and pictures in memory of Ozzy Osbourne were being laid.

Quickly making changes, it was decided to add a fitting tribute to the late Brummie star. While the concert was filled with classic movie soundtracks and jazz music, the addition of Black Sabbath hit Iron Man resonated with the audience.

Conducted by Saphran Ali, the performance stood out as an impromptu and fitting RIP to Ozzy, someone who was respected for his music across many genres. You can see part of the Black Sabbath rendition at the July concert on The People’s Orchestra Facebook page here.

Keeping things interesting

That wasn’t the only performance with a difference this year as members are routinely kept fascinated in many other ways.

The People’s Show Choir(TPSC) singers went on adventures of their own to “busk” on the streets of London, along with doing live street performances in York during the Summer.

Show Choir singers came together in London to perform alongside the TPSC groups for Wimbledon and Woodford Green in north London in August. They were singing on the streets of the capital to raise the profile of the choirs, rather than bring in money, but it made for a fun session.

They had done the same for the York TPSC with an organised trip up to the beautiful northern city to show their support for fellow singers up there too.

Chris Weber, who conducts several TPSCs, said: “It’s really nice to give members the opportunity to do special events in August, when there are no choir rehearsals, and this year had plenty going on.

“It keeps people connected through the Summer as meetings stop during the school holidays as our organisation is all about socialising and being more than just the music.”

The People’s Orchestra is a national charity based in West Bromwich that includes the People’s Show Choirs. It uses music to enrich people’s lives and battle issues like loneliness and mental health, but also pumps money raised into supporting people back into work or helping them with their finances.

Chart hits for new choir season

Attention is now turning to a new season and fresh songs and music to rehearse at weekly orchestra and choir sessions – and there’s a bit more of a rock vibe in there too.

As Christmas approaches, there’s plenty of festive spirit but there’s also movie magic and rocking hits with attitude, so maybe some of the essence of Ozzy Osbourne has rubbed off.

For amongst the list of new songs to learn is festive chart favourite Fairytale Of New York, immortalised by The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl. It will definitely be something refreshing for singers to channel the voice and style of Pogues’ frontman Shane MacGowan.

While there’s also a David Bowie hit on the list of Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth, which he sang as a duet with Bing Crosby.

Other tunes for this season include from The Muppet Christmas Carol. To get a flavour of what The People’s Show Choir groups sing, see the full autumn-winter list here.

There’s a variety of Christmas concerts coming up featuring our enthusiastic members. They include joyous high profile events combining all of our orchestras and choirs at prestigious venues in London, Cardiff and Birmingham.

Christmas concerts, which quickly sell out, will be at Duke’s Hall at The Royal Academy of Music in London, Dora Stoutzker Hall in Cardiff, the Elgar Concert Hall in Birmingham and at historic Birmingham Town Hall in December.

Read more about these mass concerts and how to book here – and in true Ozzy spirit, expect maybe a touch of rock attitude.

See the TPO website here to find out more about joining a choir or orchestra or having a go at taster sessions to see if you like it first. Groups are across the country.