New Shropshire choir launching to ‘build a friendly community’

A new community choir is launching in Shropshire with an emphasis on having fun, making new friends, and enjoying the experience of singing together. Rather than focusing on traditional choral classics, members will rehearse upbeat pop songs and film favourites, including hits by Madonna and beloved Disney tunes.

The People’s Show Choir(TPSC) is behind the new welcoming choir in Oswestry, opening its arms to everyone, with no auditions and no requirement to read music.

Both experienced singers and those completely new to choirs are encouraged to come along, with a friendly choir leader on hand to help beginners build their confidence and learn along the way.

Midlands-based TPSC is a charity dedicated to improving lives through music. As well as helping to tackle social isolation and loneliness, it uses funds to support people in getting back into employment.

Thanks to its growing popularity, the organisation now boasts show choirs across the country, with more launching this September, including the new choir in Shropshire.

Amy McCulloch is leading the new adult choir following a chance discovery while browsing social media earlier this year. She spotted a post from TPSC inviting prospective choir leaders to get in touch and take part in its Choir Leader Course.

The opportunity immediately sparked Amy’s interest. She is already highly experienced in leading choirs through her role as a classroom teacher, where she runs Rockappella, a contemporary choir similar to those seen in the hit television series Glee. She also leads Treble Tones Youth Vocal Group in the Oswestry area as well.

Taking the plunge, Amy applied for the Choir Leader Course and was successfully selected to join the programme in March. Now prepped and ready to launch Oswestry’s People’s Show Choir at the start of the new term in September.

The 26-year-old choir leader first began conducting while studying for a Music degree at Bangor University, where she graduated with First Class Honours. Her love of music started even earlier through brass bands, becoming involved from the age of six and taking part in countless competitions over the years.

Now a secondary school music teacher at Bishop Heber High School in Malpas, Cheshire, Amy is relishing the opportunity to lead an adult choir alongside her work with younger singers.

“I’m really excited to lead my first People’s Show Choir,” said Amy. “I’m so glad I saw that post on Facebook. As soon as I read about the course, I thought it sounded really interesting. I have learned so much already and I’m thoroughly enjoying it. Now I’m ready to get started.

“The music we’re doing in this choir is so much fun and not your typical choral repertoire. We’ll be singing pop songs, show tunes and music from films. They’re songs everyone knows and can enjoy.

“There’s a strong community element to every People’s Show Choir, and it’s all about bringing people together and helping them get to know others from across the area.”

The Oswestry People’s Show Choir will rehearse weekly during term time at Oswestry Memorial Hall on Smithfield Street, every Friday from 7.30pm to 9pm. Anyone interested can attend two free taster sessions before deciding whether to join.

Amy, who grew up in Oswestry and now lives in Ellesmere, added: “Because we’re in a rural area, we know people often travel a little further to take part in events and activities like this. I’d love to see people getting involved from places such as Whittington, Ellesmere and Llanymynech as well.

“I’m really looking forward to building a community through this choir. It’s going to be relaxed, welcoming and, most importantly, great fun.

“I want people to enjoy the social side of it just as much as the music. Of course we’ll be singing together, but it’s also a chance to meet new people, make friends and feel part of something special.”

Anyone interested can find out more and sign up for two free taster sessions through The People’s Show Choir website here. The choir launches on September 25 at 7.30pm, with a 90-minute rehearsal at Oswestry Memorial Hall, Smithfield Street, Oswestry, SY11 2EG.

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