Oldham's Tuneless Choir encourage you to sing your way into the New Year
Date published: 03 January 2020
Gemma loved being a member of the Beeston Choir
Members of a choir are encouraging everyone to make their New Year’s resolution to sing, whatever their ability.
Oldham Tuneless Choir launched in September 2019 and is open to those who “can’t carry a tune in a bucket”.
The group was established by Gemma Cunliffe who, having enjoyed being a member of Beeston Tuneless Choir in Nottingham, wanted to bring the concept of a tuneless choir to her hometown when she moved back last year.
Gemma says “I moved back to Oldham following the deaths of both my partner Paul and my Mum within a year of each other.
"One thing that’s really helped me with my grief is singing and it was something I was keen to carry on with. Setting up my own choir has given me a new focus and I’d encourage anyone who wants to sing without a care to come along and join in the fun.”
Gemma teamed up with former work colleague Sarah Wheeler who has the musical credentials to lead the choir.
Sarah says: “The choir is a place where the good folk of Oldham and the surrounding area can come and feel welcome and enjoy singing without being judged.
"Everyone is welcome – no one will sing too badly for us.”
As most serious New Year’s resolutions slip before the first month of the year is out, it makes more sense to resolve to do something enjoyable.
Gemma believes that instead of beating ourselves up about bad habits, we should take the opportunity to do something uplifting in the New Year.
“Singing gets our endorphins flowing, which are known as the happy hormones. So, as well as reducing stress it can help with anxiety and depression.
It’s even been shown to help boost the immune system. Most of all though, it’s just a really pleasurable thing to do with other people. Our members tell us they feel uplifted when they leave and are brighter and happier the following day.”
The first Tuneless Choir was set up in Nottingham in 2016. It was the idea of Nadine Cooper who was told at school to “Please stop singing, you’re spoiling it for everyone else”. It is led by musician Bernie Bracha.
The choirs welcome those who love to sing but lack the ability, confidence or practice to sing in tune.
Oldham Tuneless Choir has proved to be very popular and along with their regular sessions members have taken part in performances in the local community and even appeared on Revolution Radio’s breakfast show on Christmas Eve.
The choir sings popular songs, with current favourites including ‘I’m gonna be (500 miles)’ by The Proclaimers and ‘Don’t stop me now’ by Queen.
People aren’t divided into parts, so everyone sings the lead vocals at whatever pitch they can manage.
This results in a sound much better than the sum of the individuals, and one which has been compared to a rugby or football crowd. “Having no fear of judgement really does give our choir members the confidence to ‘sing like no one is listening’, which is the tuneless motto.” adds Sarah.
Oldham Tuneless Choir meets every other Wednesday, and the first meeting of 2020 will be at 7.30pm on Wednesday 8th January. The choir meets at The Cotton Rooms, 3-5 Rock Street, Oldham with doors opening at 7pm.
First time attendance at choir costs £10 including registration. It’s then the equivalent of £5 per week for a term, or £7 if you “pay as you go”.
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