The booming Birmingham Show Choir with ‘such a great bunch of people’

The People’s Show Choir(TPSC) for South Birmingham realised their love of singing was catching fire in the community when they outgrew their rehearsal room. Despite the pandemic getting in the way of their initial launch in January 2020, they’ve come back stronger to see a surge in members.

There were a handful of singers back in early 2020, but since relaunching in April 2021, the group has hit the right note with Brummies and now has over 50 regulars turning up to sing everything from pop hits to film themes each week. Liz Read, who leads South Birmingham TPSC, isn’t surprised at the group’s popularity as she describes the members as “such a great bunch of people”.

There’s a wide range of ages at South Birmingham’s TPSC, from 18-year-olds right up to those in retirement, and from all sorts of backgrounds. Singers meet every Tuesday night during term time at the now-larger premises of Selly Park Baptist Church, in Pershore Road, Stirchley, from 7.30pm to 9.15pm. Time to sing, but also chat, have a cuppa and laugh.

“A director of music I work with once used the phrase ‘serious fun’ and that sums it up just right,” Liz tells me. “We have lots of laughs in rehearsal, but we remain focussed, and the choir members really take on board everything I say.

“Hearing the development from week to week as we get concert-ready is just fantastic.

“It sounds corny, but it really is a highlight of my week. There’s such a great bunch of people, and they make a great sound together.”

Numbers have been surging due to its popularity and people finding a new passion for singing, whether to relieve stress, make new friends or relax in a bid to have more work-life balance.

It’s meant Liz has had to hire a much bigger room for rehearsals after the Show Choir outgrew their original base.

“When members come to a session, I want them to feel welcome, relaxed and part of the community,” explains Liz. “I’d like them to feel like they are coming to see their friends each week – as well as get a sense of achievement from the things we accomplish by the end of each rehearsal.

“Seeing the nerves turn into an absolute buzz of excitement after members go from their small local rehearsals to the big mass events is a real highlight for me.

“The first event is always nerve-wracking, but once they are there, they realise that my reassurance about ‘safety in numbers’ was true and the buzz that comes from singing in such a large choir with a live orchestra is second to none.”

Liz was a primary school teacher when she joined The People’s Orchestra(TPO) as a member to play flute in 2017. When she left the classroom to go freelance as a music specialist in September 2019, it coincided with TPO needing a part time Orchestra Manager and Liz was ideal for the role. She’s musical at heart and across many genres as she even performs in a goth rock tribute band called Angels of Darkness.

“I did the Orchestra Manager job for a while and then when the choirs became established, I took on conducting South Birmingham TPSC,” explains Liz.

“Over time, I have added another two as well and now conduct three for the People’s Show Choirs – South Birmingham, Bearwood and Dorridge. I do some peripatetic teaching in a couple of different schools and a music tuition centre and then perform where I can with the tribute band.”

There’s many moments with The People’s Show Choirs that bring a smile to Liz and she tells me her highlights are “mainly the little things that happen week in, week out”.

Liz added: “There’s times like when my accompanist adds funny musical things in the warm-ups to make us laugh or the members’ faces when I’ve found or created a new warm-up that is tricky for them to do.

“We do brain gym and tongue twisters, that sort of thing.

“When I returned to rehearsal after I’d been off with a back injury for several weeks, the care and support I received from all the members stays with me. They arrived early to help set up and make sure I was okay. It’s the little things that bring us together and make the big moments even more WOW!”

The People’s Show Choir for South Birmingham meets during term time on Tuesday nights at Selly Park Baptist Church, in Pershore Road, Stirchley, from 7.30pm to 9.15pm. Find out more and contact Liz for more information through The People’s Show Choir website here. New members can claim up to two sessions free too.