Fun and lively’ People’s Show Choir Dorridge going strong after three years

The People’s Show Choir for Dorridge is such a friendly group that their conductor’s main issue is to get them to stop talking during weekly rehearsals. That’s no bad feat for the community choir that has been going strong since January 2023.

Members are hurtling towards the choir’s three-year anniversary at the end of the year and in that time they have attracted admirers from the great and good. Among the latest to offer them praise is Solihull’s Mayor.

They caught the attention of The Mayor of Solihull, Councillor Annette Mackenzie, at Dorridge Day, where The People’s Show Choir had a stall to attract new members. She was so impressed with their efforts that she even posed for photos with them at the fete on September 14.

Word is spreading about the friendly choir in the West Midlands and that is set to be boosted further by a local festive concert in November.

The Dorridge TPSC will be singing a soundtrack of festive favourites at a popular Solihull Christmas Lights Switch On. Families will get to hear them at the Christmas lights event at Orleans Smokehouse in Stratford Road, Solihull, on November 16.

Liz Read conducts The People’s Show Choir for Dorridge and described how members range from those in their late 20s to many aged 40 and over. The choir also has many professionals in its ranks, who take time out of their busy work lives to relax by singing.

Once a week, they meet at Ye Olde Knowle Bowling Club in Dorridge, on Mondays from 7.15pm ‘til 9pm. Sociable chats are part of the rapport in this choir of over 30 singers who sing, joke and look forward to a cuppa, biscuits and more chat halfway through the rehearsal.

Liz, a former primary school teacher who also performs in goth rock tribute band Angels of Darkness in her own time, joked: “Dorridge is lively and fun and the hardest thing is getting them to stop talking so we can start.

“We are a very welcoming group, so it is all about having a laugh and leaving the troubles of the day behind.

“There’s a mix of people including a local headteacher of a primary school who also has lured in some of her colleagues.

“More and more, I’m seeing people from their 30s upwards want to come along to the choir. A lot of people come because it’s their time for themselves during the week.

“People are very busy and some have got children, so this is their time away from all that.”

The People’s Show Choir(TPSC) is part of the The People’s Orchestra(TPO) family. Musical Liz, who is also a freelance musician, ended up leading the Dorridge choir years after signing up to play flute with the TPO.

She’s found her calling as she not only conducts the Dorridge choir but also TPSC for Bearwood and South Birmingham. Liz also teaches musicianship at Warwick Boys School and does one to one lessons including at Kimichi School.

Liz uses much of her musical ability and knowledge in the weekly rehearsals. She starts of the group with vocal warm-ups and then gets her songbirds doing some brain gym exercised that not only put their voices to the test but also their mental agility with fun tongue twisters to start each session.

The members love it and rave about Liz and the choir members. Among them is Barry who urged others to join saying: “It’s a lovely friendly gang of people and Liz our choir leader and  James on election organ are both fab. It’s a lovely way to spend a Monday evening.”

Another choir member Kath said she’d recommend the choir: “We always have such a good evening. It’s great fun. I love learning the new songs and there’s so many benefits of singing in a choir. It’s a win-win situation.”

Benefits of singing to relieve stress and help relaxation have been widely reported. It comes as more and more workers with busy jobs are finding a way to unwind through the social skill of singing in harmony with others.

That’s at the heart of what The People’s Orchestra charity is all about. Using the benefits of music and singing to improve lives and address issues of loneliness and social isolation that are a growing issue in modern society.

If you like the sound of the Dorridge choir, then why not think about coming along for a taster session.

The People’s Show Choir for Dorridge meet at Ye Olde Knowle Bowling Club, in Grange Road, Dorridge, Solihull, B93 8QA, every Monday during term time from 7.15pm to 9pm. Find out more at TPSC website here and how to claim two free taster sessions before you decide if the choir is for you.

Or meet the choir and Liz in person to discuss it when they perform at the Christmas Lights Switch-on at Orleans Smokehouse in Stratford Road, Solihull, on November 16, as it gets dark.