Oldham Tuneless Choir encourages you to sing in 2025
Date published: 30 December 2024
Choir members who all originally attended alone and are now good friends with choir leader Jess (left)
If your New Year's resolution is to find a new hobby, socialise more, or to be healthier and happier, then Oldham Tuneless Choir believe they can help.
Open to those who “can’t carry a tune in a bucket”, the choir is encouraging people of all abilities to join them in 2025 and are welcoming new members with a free taster session on Wednesday, January 15.
As well as being a fun and social activity singing has many health benefits such as increased lung capacity, reduced stress levels and improved mental health and wellbeing.
The choir was founded in September 2019 by Gemma Cunliffe, a former member of Beeston Tuneless Choir in Nottingham.
Gemma discovered the benefits of singing following the death of her partner Paul and her mum within a year of each other.
Gemma said: “One thing that helped me with my grief was singing, I found it incredibly cathartic and it was something I was keen to carry on with when I moved to Oldham.
"The friendships made through choir have also helped me immensely and I would encourage anyone feeling lonely to come along and give us a try.
"Our members are warm and friendly and our sessions are full of fun and laughter.
"Five years on I still feel the benefits after each session.”
The taster session is a chance for curious so called ‘bad’ singers to see what it’s like to join other tone-deaf music enthusiasts.
Choir leader Jess Leavy will begin the session with fun warm ups then lead everyone through a playlist of tuneless classics.
The choir sings popular songs from across the decades with favourites including Abba, Queen and 80’s hits.
Jess, who has led the choir for the last three years, said: “Members aren’t divided into parts, so everyone sings the lead vocals at whatever pitch they can manage.
"We get so many enquiries from people who are curious about the choir but are not sure if it is for them, or worry they sing too badly.
"This is a perfect opportunity to come along and see without any pressure to participate.”
Oldham Tuneless Choir meets every other Wednesday, and the first meeting of 2025 will be at 7.15pm on Wednesday, January 15.
The choir meets at Billingtons on Ascroft Street in Oldham, with doors opening at 7pm.
For more information contact Gemma on 07719 046374 or email: oldham@tunelesschoir.com
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