Witham Choral Society

Ahead of our local Choral Society’s concert at Witham Public Hall on Saturday 4th April, CommunityAd made it a must to speak to Christine who first joined the singing ranks in 1995. Taking a drummer induced break to give birth her musically minded daughter returned in 2012. Although she wouldn’t have it said Christine has become quite integral to the WCS which is led by Patrick and wife Mary who Christine proudly claims “without the choir would not be able to function”.

From the outside looking in, it appears to be a great active group to be a part of, is that so?

Yes, it is a great choir because we have a great group of people.   Not only do we enjoy singing at our practises and our performances, but we also enjoy supporting local charities (as well as being a charity ourselves).  Every Christmas we have a chosen charity who we support and invite along to our informal Christmas Carol evening, where we have a collection for them.  We sing and then they give us a short talk about their charity and then we all enjoy festive refreshments and a chance to get together Every week at rehearsal we stop for a sociable chat and some refreshments at ‘half time’ and once a month we have a fundraising Bring & Buy stall which is always a good fundraiser, especially when Thérèse brings her now famous Flap Jack.  Everyone waits to see if she arrives in time, as she drives every week from Dovercourt just to be with us!

It is proven that singing is good for you, the perfect antidote for SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) it could be argued, what makes singing as a choir so uplifting?

It is about being together, listening to each other and when you can’t quite get something right feeling the support of other singers around you who know how it should go!  We all have our own strengths and weaknesses, some are better at keeping time, some always come in on the right beat and others can pitch the notes with great confidence.  The choir is about community, supporting each other both as singers and as friends.  It can be difficult to get to know each other at first but as the weeks go by, and with free time at tea break (with biscuits!) we get to know each other better. 

CommunityAd wouldn’t dream of cutting Christine short so be sure to pick up the next issue of your local magazine for the continuation of lovely chat. In the meantime be sure to get yourself to the Town Hall on April 4^th before 7:30pm.

www.withamchoralsociety.org.uk

Facebook @WithamCS

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