Sing out for the new community choir in Bury

A daytime community choir will be launched in the New Year aimed at reaching out to people who love to sing but cannot venture out at night to attend ‘usual’ choir rehearsals.

INSPIRE Community Voices is inspired by its founders’ involvement in the Cultural Olympiad 2012. The first session will be on Saturday 5 January 2pm to 4.30pm at The Met Theatre, Bury. It will meet twice a month on the first and third Saturday at 2pm in The Met Theatre. It is an a cappella, multi harmony, inclusive community choir which actively encourages membership from school children aged 7 years and upwards (children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult).

Angela Gracey who founded the choir said; “We want people young and old to sing alongside one another, teenagers and adults of Bury who share a love of singing. Our aim is for all members to grow from a group of diverse individuals into a community choir that embraces and values all of its members. There is no need to read music as we learn by ear and from CDs with all song parts recorded for quicker learning, if you have never sung in a choir before and never had the courage to sing outside of the car or the bathroom, come along as we want you to join us.”.

The musical director for the choir is Alyss McBirney a professional musician and music graduate.  Alyss is a passionate singer and vocal harmony teacher who believes that singing is good for the body, mind and soul and that it has a positive effect on personal wellbeing. She will be working alongside deputy MD Wilbur Lin. Wilbur was born in New Jersey, USA but spent his childhood in Hsinchu, Taiwan; where his parents still live.  He is an active Taiwanese conductor and pianist and is currently undertaking a master’s degree at Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) Manchester.

His professional accomplishments include assisting Fusao Kajima with the National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra; guest engagement with Ensemble ISCM-Taiwan, conducting Royal Northern College of Music orchestras and directing Chamber Philharmonic Taipei’s Bach Series.  In 2011, he made his professional debut conducting the ISCM ensemble in their annual new music event and assisting Fusao Kajima with the National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra in their Sun Moon Lake Music Festival Series and during his term of national military service (2011-2012) he was conductor of the Republic of China Army Band.

The choir’s repertoire will cover pop, rock, folk, gospel, jazz, African,

Cuban, classical and world music. The cost if £5 adults, £4 concessions, £1 under 17yrs.  www.inspirevoices.co.uk

ENDS

For further information please contact Angela Gracey on AMMA63.GRACEY@TESCO.NET