‘If I’ve had a bad day, I come out of People’s Show Choir thinking ‘that’s what life is all about’’
When John Murray joined a People’s Show Choir, his nervousness at joining a new group was soon forgotten as he discovered something far more special. Now the singing session is his highlight of the week but he thinks many men are missing out on the same uplifting experience.
John, aged 58 from Birmingham, retired as financial director of an engineering company in December 2021. Since then, he’s found plenty to keep him busy from cycling clubs to tango classes, but being part of The People’s Show Choir Sutton Coldfield has given him an extra spring in his step.
John explains: “It’s quite daunting walking into a new choir as there’s so many people. On some weeks, there’s 90 of us. Yet after a few minutes, you sit down and meet people you find you have something in common with.
“Once you’ve spoken to a couple of people, you settle in and feel at home. Then when you start singing, you realise being in a choir is the best thing.
“Now, I turn up, sit down with my mates in the baritone section, have a chat and then get on with the session over 90 minutes – but it goes in a flash.”
You can hear the excitement in John’s voice when he talks about the Show Choir. He’s brimming with energy as the former accountant adds: “Being in the Show Choir is uplifting and it works your brain while you’re going through the sheet music. Even if you’ve never read music before, you start working it out.
“I do a lot of things in my spare time, but the choir is the one thing I look forward to the most in the week.
“I’ve got a busy life but when I go to the Show Choir, it’s all about concentrating and you step out of your normal life into that world. It’s all you think about for that 90-minutes.
“It’s funny as men will go to the football and sing there, but don’t consider joining a choir. It would be nice to get more men in as I think a lot are missing out.”
He adds: “If I’ve had a bad day, I come out of the choir session thinking ‘that’s what life is all about’. Singing with other people is great.”
The network of People’s Show Choirs across the UK sing popular favourites from chart hits to famous anthems, reminiscent of tunes sung at football grounds and stadiums across the country.
John has even found himself looking forward to trying new things with the Show Choir including to perform with them in public and go on tour with the group. He’s already achieved one of those, singing in a concert at Birmingham Town Hall before Christmas and he’s about to do it again at Birmingham Symphony Hall for a special concert on Mother’s Day.
“To go on the Symphony Hall stage and stand there with a full orchestra will be fabulous,” adds John. “But then to see all the audience in that auditorium, it’s a special thing and something to be savoured.
“Playing music or singing is always a big thrill. That feeling that you’ve all been working towards the same goal to make the choir sound as lovely as possible.
“As a baritone, I’ve got the alto on the left and soprano on the right and it’s beautiful when I hear them come in. The sound of the choir – the volume and beauty of it moves you.
“There’s certain songs when I can barely sing as it sounds so beautiful, you want to cry. It’s the loveliest feeling when you hear all those voices around you.”
The People’s Show Choir Sutton Coldfield meets at Wylde Green URC Church in Britwell Road every Wednesday from 7pm to 8.30pm. For more details on joining this choir or finding a Show Choir near you across the UK, visit the People’s Show Choir website here.
John will be part of The People’s Orchestra and People’s Show Choirs ‘Back to the Movies’ concert at Birmingham Symphony Hall from 3pm to 5.30pm on Sunday March 30 – Mother’s Day.
