For many, singing is one of life’s great pleasures.
The actor and writer James Corden has said he was so inspired by the joy he saw when his mum sang in her choir that he teamed up once again with writing partner Ruth Jones to write a new comedy drama called, appropriately, The Choir.
When we asked people to share what their community choirs meant to them, we had a massive and often heartfelt response extolling the power of singing with others. Here are some of their stories.
‘Within weeks, something beautiful happened’
When Jemma Brown set up a community choir in Wiltshire in April 2021, she was worried no one would turn up. In fact, 50 people attended, and the choir has gone from strength to strength.
“We began as a small group of people who just loved music, but within weeks, something beautiful happened,” says Jemma, from Devizes. “The sound grew stronger; people started to smile more, friendships formed, and our weekly rehearsals became the highlight of the week for everyone, me included.
“Some have found new best friends. We have one member who joined when she was 17, and she became friends with an 82-year-old. Others say it’s helped them through grief, isolation, or anxiety. After one practice, one of my members came up to me and thanked me, adding: “This is the first time I’ve laughed since I lost my husband.”
The choir has sung across the UK, including in the Fultone Festival and with Aled Jones, but Jemma says there is also something special about their practice sessions.
“The most powerful moments are still when we sing together in our local hall – hearing 80 voices rise as one, feeling the room buzz with energy and connection. A choir isn’t just about music; it’s about community, wellbeing, friendship, and joy.”
Jemma Brown, 50, who runs the Big Sound Choir in Devizes, Wiltshire
‘Choir kept my dad going for such a long time’
Jill’s father, Byron, had to give up playing clarinet when Parkinson’s took hold. Photograph: Jill/Guardian Community
When Jill semi-retired from teaching, it meant she was able to take her father, Bryon, who had Parkinson’s, to the community choir Music for Everyone.
“Music had always been part of his life; he sang in a church choir, played clarinet, and after he retired from lecturing in maths at a university, he ran a sheet music shop from his garage until he was 80,” says Jill from Nottingham.
“Once Parkinson’s took hold, he had to give the shop up; he could no longer play the clarinet, and he left the church choir because he couldn’t manage it. Then he couldn’t drive anymore. Gradually, the social life he’d had kind of shut down, and he wasn’t really interested in doing anything much.”
Jill suggested she go with him to Music for Everyone. “Going to the choir was fantastic for my Dad’s wellbeing; it lifted his spirits to be part of a community again,” she says.
Byron went to choir for about three years before a fall in August 2018 meant he could no longer attend. He died aged 88 in December that year.
“When we first went, Dad was able to walk in, he could join the cup of tea queue and chat to people,” says Jill. “Singing helped the muscles to prolong his ability to speak, it kept him connected to a community, and the feel-good factor lasted for days after. Our family were even able to watch him perform at the Albert Hall in Nottingham, years after we thought his performing days were over.”
Jill Gaunt, 66, teacher, Nottingham
Some of the Lewisham Creative Chorus (Bea in the front centre in the black-and-white dress). Photograph: Handout/Guardian Community
Bea has been singing in the Lewisham Creative Chorus for the past two years, and says she loves being part of “an eclectic group with all ages, colours and nationalities”.
“Tom, our artistic director, is so lovely and sometimes I think: ‘My God, how does he have the patience?’” she says. “We’re all such different characters, yet he just pulls us all together. People are singing from the heart, and when you’re singing from the heart, you can’t go wrong.
“Anyone can join the choir. You don’t really have to be a good singer, although some people can really sing. We write our own songs and put on various performances. We did an opera last year – our own made-up one, and the music was lovely.
“I think being in the choir has changed me. It has widened my social circle, made me feel more connected to my local community and aware of issues on my doorstep. It has also given me a love and appreciation for opera, as well as an outlet for creativity and singing.
“I do really have to pinch myself that I am involved in such a marvellous community choir.”
Bea Joseph, 59, careers adviser, south-east London
‘It’s just nice to be a part of something where difference doesn’t matter’
Katie, who studied performing arts, says singing provides a form of ‘escapism’. Photograph: Handout/Guardian Community
Katie has been part of the Chelmsford Musical Theatre Choir on and off for the past two years and says she has made lifelong friends there.
“I’m disabled, and for me it’s escapism when I sing,” says Katie, who studied performing arts and lives in Chelmsford. “It’s so amazing to feel a part of something when society normally feels so separated. I get so much out of it and have met so many incredible people. It’s just nice to be a part of something where difference doesn’t matter. We also have other wheelchair users in our choir – it’s nice to feel like you’re not the only one.
“Because I am looking for work, choir practice is my only real sense of routine in my week, and I really look forward to it. The community events we do are so incredibly exciting, from singing in care homes to performing at Christmas markets and at events to raise money for charity.”
“I have made lifelong friends, and I’m really proud to be a part of it.”
Katie, 23, Chelmsford, a member of the Chelmsford Musical Theatre Choir
‘Choir is the highlight of my week’
After Pat moved to Wales from Nuneaton, he realised he needed to do something if he was to make new friends.
“Like, I suspect, a lot of middle-aged men, I had focused on work and family for decades and had let many friendships slip,” he says. “I got divorced, and my social circle diminished further; then, during the pandemic, my employers decided that we would work from home full-time.”
He was browsing on Facebook when he saw a group inviting people to join the Porthmadog Pop Choir. “I knew I had to get out of my comfort zone,” says Pat. “I wasn’t sure what to expect. Would there be an audition? There wasn’t, thankfully.
“I’m not exaggerating when I say that Wednesday nights are the highlight of my week now. I’ve always loved music, been moved by music, so of course, singing is a huge part of it. But so, too, are the people I’ve met, the friends I’ve made, the sheer level of banter and hilarity we have some nights.
“It’s been a little under two years since I joined, and it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”
Pat Ryan, 58, NHS data analyst, Trawsfynydd, north Wales
