Louise
Louise
Member of Sopranos
Louise is an in-house lawyer, a full time mum, and a school governor, among other things!
Louise first heard about the choir through her kids’ school, where she got to know Dave.
She has always sung in choirs but when her work choir came to an end, she found herself without a choir home.
“When I go to choir I can leave all my baggage at the door and let the music fill my soul! My family know that choir evenings are my time, so my husband knows he will be putting the kids to bed on Wednesdays.”
Louise’s love of singing began when she was little and she would go out with her sisters in Kennington and sing the songs from the musical Annie to unwitting members of the public (who loved it!)
“For me choir is about connecting and making great music, your level of experience doesn’t matter. To make good music we just need to sing together and feel connected.”
Louise started off as an alto, but realised that her voice could go deeper, and decided to join the lents (ladies and gents/tenor&bass) section for a challenge.
“I really love interacting with the guys, and I’ve made some lovely friendships, which are really growing.”
Louise loves singing all of the choir songs, but her favourite is Thina Siumnye.
“Thina Simunye is a call and response song that comes from a place of healing, something that a lot of people need these days.”
John
John
Tenor and member of lents
John has been making music in a un-tutored way since the 1970s – mainly in avant-garde ensembles and a rock band that is still going. He’s also an academic and is currently devising a new kind of art school that he calls ‘Art School Plus’.
John first heard about the choir from a friend in a pub, and although he felt a little nervous from previous singing experience, he loved the concept.
“I saw the idea of practice sessions taking place in a pub as a wonderful way of giving people a literal voice within their community.”
“I was really interested in the choir’s cultural approach to making music, professional standards are not that important to me when I play an instrument.”
John joined the Lents (Ladies & gents / tenor & base) and is glad to be learning to push his vocal range higher – thanks to Dave’s tuition and guidance.
“The people who sing solos are not just the experienced singers, Dave gives everyone a chance to sing and be heard.”
“Dave’s approach reminded me a bit of the Irish Pub music experience in which everyone is encouraged to contribute without being judged.
“There’s lots of encouragement from the community.”
John’s favourite song is You’re the Voice by John Farnham, and he loves how it raises self-esteem at the very personal level of one’s own voice, but also how this is what creates the voice of community.
“Dave picks songs with lyrics that resonate with individuals’ own experiences and their communities at the same time. This helps to create a social and democratic consciousness, in the choir and beyond.”
John
John
Tenor and member of lents
I wanted to bring music into my life, so I thought why not learn to sing. The idea of a community choir also appealed to me because the people who live in Deptford make it the best place to live in London by far.
I spent my 20s travelling the world, and I just found myself in Deptford when I finished my Masters. I now live in Woolwich.
Being part of the choir has not just taught me to sing, its also helped me gain a new confidence and understanding of music, which I never had before. The relaxed and friendly atmosphere is really what made this for me.
The choir has also helped me feel like Im part of something positive in my community, and I have made some really amazing connections with people I would have never met if it wasn’t for the choir.
It makes me feel like Im part of something bigger.