Walsall is getting a new Show Choir like no other and here’s what you can expect

Popularity for The People’s Show Choir has surged in recent years, with 21 groups popping up across the country – and now it’s launching a new one in the Black Country. Walsall was hand-picked as an area by organisers as it appeared to be missing out on a thriving community music and arts scene. There’s obviously a demand, as within days of the new Walsall branch of The People’s Show Choir being announced, around 40 keen singers had already signed up to take part. Here’s what to expect from the brand new choir.

The People’s Show Choir team is hoping to attract at least 80 people by the time the group launches for its first meeting on September 18. That’s when the new Walsall People’s Show Choir will meet at Alumwell Resource Centre, 323 Wolverhampton Road, Walsall. Choir get-togethers will continue after that on every Thursday during term time, from 7pm to 8.30pm. Time enough for a chin wag, cuppa and some stress-busting singing.

The conductor Chris Weber is far more than that as The People’s Show Choir aims for them to also be part-community leader and go beyond just the music. It’s all about the social aspect too of bringing people together.

New members are welcome to come along to start at any week if they can’t make the first date. There’s even free sessions on offer to test the water before signing up. The People’s Show Choir is part of The People’s Orchestra family – a West Bromwich-based music charity that aims to help people find joy, companionship and improve their mental health by coming together to play or sing music. The charity also runs projects to support people getting back into work and making them more employable.

Choir members sing contemporary favourites from film tunes to West End shows like Matilda and chart pop hits from Madonna to even Black Sabbath in a friendly atmosphere. They even have the chance to perform in acclaimed venues for mass concerts with The People’s Orchestra, like Birmingham Symphony Hall and at London’s Duke’s Hall in the Royal Academy of Music.

Cheerful Chris, leading the new Walsall branch of The People’s Show Choir(TPSC), already heads up two other TPSC choirs in Sutton Coldfield and Halesowen, along with helping to organise the annual summer tours. So far, they have been to Krakow and Scotland for those that want to venture further afield with fellow singers.

“We are adding Walsall to The People’s Show Choir portfolio as we’ve been expanding into areas where there’s a call for a choir,” said Chris. “I’m so excited for the launch rehearsal and there will be a small team from some of the other choirs coming along too, to welcome new people and talk to them.

“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have butterflies, but it’s the adrenaline and excitement of getting a new choir started and those first rehearsals. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Chris explained what new singers can expect, whether a beginner or more experienced. Along with plenty of light-hearted singing games and fun, they will also get to know their voice better and where it sits amongst a choir full of people.

While Chris expects some new starters may have already sung in a choir and be aware of their voice type, he’s also prepared for many who are joining a choir for the first time. They are more likely to be apprehensive and unaware of what their voice can do, whether they are a baritone or soprano.

“I say to everyone ‘sit where you like and we are going to do some singing games’,” explained Chris.

“When we are singing, people will automatically start to feel a pull toward where their voice is in the choir. They’ll end up going and sitting with the vocal area that suits them the best. “So, the first couple of rehearsals is a really interesting process.”

Chris’ lifetime love of music started as a child when he sang in a choir alongside his family. He’s spent over two decades involved with choirs, so Chris is well aware of the positive effects that singing and music can have to improve mental health and reduce stress as well as provide a social network of people to see on a regular basis.

He refers to it as the “wow” factor and wants to spread that feeling to new choir members in Walsall. “I want as many people as possible to leave that rehearsal room thinking ‘wow’,” declared Chris with a laugh.

Other TPSC members agree with many describing how being a choir member has brought them friendships to ‘help them through tough times’ or being so joyous it makes them feel ‘that’s what life is all about’. Camaraderie and even a break from the kids are other reasons that many enjoy being part of the network of People’s Show Choirs.

TPSCs are already set up in other areas of the Black Country including for Wolverhampton and West Bromwich and there’s a determination to get Walsall a piece of the action too.

“Finding a venue in Walsall for the Show Choir was really difficult but I wasn’t giving up that easily,” added Chris. “It’s a district that has a lack of groups for the arts and singing so we want to improve things.

“Just when I was thinking it was impossible to find anywhere suitable, I drove past a building being built at Junction 10 of the M6  and thought ‘now that could be a good venue for a choir’ and found out who owned it. Now we are starting our new choir there.”

The new Walsall People’s Show Choir will meet at Alumwell Resource Centre, 323 Wolverhampton Road, Walsall, every Thursday during term time from 7pm to 8.30pm and new members are welcome to come along at any point.

Sign up or find out more here. The first two sessions are free and becoming a member of The People’s Show Choir costs £18 a month or £12 for students or anyone unemployed or on benefits.