Our choir is so ‘massively feel-good’ members come back saying they’ve ‘missed it’

A heart-warming Yorkshire choir has built up such a strong community that members can’t bear to leave. Here’s a closer look at The People’s Show Choir(TPSC) for York and its vibrant choir leader, who’s a musical theatre expert in his own right.

Joe Allen, choir leader of TPSC York, has been at the helm since it was set up in September 2024. Back then, it started out with five keen members but it’s quickly grown to a happy community of around 30 members, and getting stronger all the time.

“TPSC is about having fun and not worrying about anything, but enjoying the singing,” explains Joe. “And that’s what members enjoy so much about it.

“The rehearsal is a lovely, restorative part of the week. It’s not stressful and if people have been away, they say how much they’ve missed it and enjoy being part of the choir.

“One of our members was having difficulty juggling choir with family and work responsibilities, so they left, but after a year, came back because they missed it so much. They sorted out childcare and said they realised they needed the time for themself, which being at the choir each week created.”

Joe has vast experience with music and as a vocal coach. Growing up in Oxfordshire, Joe moved up to Yorkshire in 2017 and trained at Leeds Conservatoire as a jazz saxophonist for four years and went on to complete a masters degree in Music Directing.

He moved to York in 2024 and now works in the theatre industry as a freelance musical director and composer/sound designer, working professionally on shows across the north, including work for York Theatre Royal, Northern Opera Group, York Proms and  panto for Anton Benson Productions. He has worked alongside stars such as Les Dennis and Louie Spence.

He is also the resident musical director of NETheatre York and works on community youth projects. Joe doesn’t stop there as he’s also a vivacious drag artist in his spare time, under the guise of Lambrini von Damn – someone the choir members have come out to support at his shows.

TPSC in York meets every Wednesday evening during term time at York RI RUFC rugby club in New Lane, Acomb, between 7.30pm and 9pm. They welcome in singers from York but also the surrounding areas from Selby and Harrogate to Easingwold, Tadcaster and Malton.

The choir also offers members the chance to perform at iconic national venues like in London’s Royal School of Music and Birmingham Symphony Hall and go on tours abroad with fellow singers and musicians in The People’s Show Choir and The People’s Orchestra family nationwide.

“There’s a real mix of people in the choir of different ages and from all kinds of backgrounds, which is lovely,” Joe, who is also a pianist, explains.

“There’s students at university, those who work and come when it fits around their job and retired people too. I particularly like that we have a lovely, big soprano section and I’m working on getting more baritones. But mostly, I get a joy out of seeing new friendship being made among the members.”

“I love working with communities, like ours at TPSC. To see people who used to sing come back to it or someone starting to get into it is special. I’ve welcomed in a lot of people who haven’t sang for a couple of decades.

“My experience as a vocal coach means I can provide additional explanations to singers about what can help them. For some of our singers, if they don’t talk much throughout the day, they’re not using their vocal chords as much, but they require coordination and regular use to maintain a strong singing voice.

“That’s why, we don’t start singing straight away at our rehearsals, but always warm our voices up first.

TPSC in York is a sociable choir too. “We always have a tea break and time for a chat mid rehearsal and members are welcome to come down early to grab a brew before rehearsals begin,” added Joe.

TPSC York also love organising meet ups outside of weekly rehearsals. They are also avid supporters of everyone in the community, attending each other’s events including group trips to the theatre when Joe, the choir leader, is working on a theatre show locally in York.

“I love that aspect of TPSC about supporting each other, it’s really not just about the singing,” said Joe.

“Our choir is massively feel-good and it’s got a lot of joy. We often have a laugh and we really all enjoy the music we are singing.

“Sometimes the members come in feeling tired at the end of the day, but by the time they leave, they are full of energy and chatting to each other, looking forward to next week. I look at that and I think ‘great, job done’. That’s what this choir is truly about for me.

“Seeing a community build up around this choir and how the people in it support each other when someone is ill or needs help is a really lovely thing for me to see.

“The choir works because everyone sticks in, helps out and keeps coming back. It really is a community and I think I enjoy and get a boost from it as much, if not more than the members!”

The People’s Show Choir for York meets every Wednesday evening during term time at York RI RUFC rugby club in New Lane, Acomb, between 7.30pm and 9pm. Find out more at the website here including how you can get two free taster sessions. You can also email hello@thepeoplesshowchoir.com.

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