The choir is often described as being made up of ordinary chaps who have discovered the joy of singing. Many people have joined who have never sung before or studied music. The musical director is very experienced at taking ordinary chaps and turning them into a good choir.

Cameos of the choir

I didn't realise...

It's not always easy to take the first step. But those who did, found out something good about themselves.

Here are some comments from our previous Come and Sing project:-

Come and Sing changed my life. I am absolutely amazed how much I enjoy this whole experience. I positively look forward to rehearsal nights and get a real kick out of performing at concerts. I did not think of myself as a particularly good singer, but surrounded by strong voices, I feel great being part of making such a fabulous sound. There are times when the hairs stand up on the back of your neck.

It is a lot of fun!

Mick Jacks (Baritone)

One of the best decisions I have ever made, was to take up the invitation to take part in the Leigh Orpheus Male Voice Choir 'Come and Sing! Project'.I have discovered that my voice was a Tenor 1; made numerous new friends; learnt the words and music of over 30 new songs; taken part in a dozen concerts (including a sell-out at the Cliffs Pavilion); took part in the Choir's Polish tour to Gdansk, Gdynia and Sopot; and helped to raise thousands of pounds for worthy charities, such as the RNLI, Essex Air Ambulance, Little Havens etc.Not at all bad for the first year!! I am looking forward, with great anticipation, to 2008, when once again, I will enjoy the fellowship of LOMVC and expect to take part in further concerts, including the tour of Tuscany.

Ron Carrol (Tenor 1)

They choir is very welcoming when it comes to allowing people to join in with rehearsals. Any gentleman who wishes to may come along to a practice at The Salvation Army Hadleigh Temple, London Road, Hadleigh, Essex, SS7 2PF. Rehearsals usually start at 7.30 on a Friday evening.

You don't have to be able to read music, though it helps if you can. Full support is given.

Which part?

A male voice choir sings in four parts: tenor 1, tenor 2, bass 1 (baritone) and bass 2. If you know which part you are all well and good. If not we'll give you a quick test to see where you voice would fit in best. The audition process is not onerous. So long as you can sing a very simple melody more or less in tune and repeat back a note played to you on the piano, you should be fine. The idea is to be as inclusive as practically possible.

Your decision

There's no pressure. If it's not your cup of tea, then fine. If you like it you will be more than welcome to come back next week. And the week after. And the week after that. But only if you want to. Please be warned, that is very likely to happen!

Ease in

The recruitment procedure is fairly easy on the new recruit. You can take as much time as you need to settle in. If you decide you like the experience and want to join, there is a support and progression system that is proven to help ease new people in.

Learn words

Just a point about learning the words. The choir normally performs without copies. It's nowhere near as daunting as it seems. You do have to put in a bit of effort, but it's amazing how helpful it is when there are other blokes around you and how easily the words come. Even foreign words aren't half as hard as they seem, though the vast majority of songs are sung in English.

Attendance

Members are encouraged to attend rehearsals every week. They are expected wherever possible to attend most concerts (because of the size of the choir, there is very occasionally a concert where not a full choir can be accommodated).

The leaders are flexible enough to know that sometimes something more important crops up, like illness for example. Landmark birthdays or bereavement in close family, the need to go to work on some rehearsal evenings are the sort of things you will find leaders are happy to indulge in a bit of give and take.

So give it a go. To get your free Come and Sing 2 Information Pack please telephone 01702 524929 (day) or 01268 695006 (eve) or 01702 547315 (eve) or you can e-mail us at by clicking here