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own sound
Hello
I'm Rachel, a singer around Wallingford who loves to teach harmonies. I have over ten years’ experience running choirs and singing groups in my spare time. I directed my workplace choir for five years, born out of our need for something creative to do, leading to numerous local performances and a lot of fun rehearsing in lunchbreaks. After that I ran a weekly singing group for the Benson day centre for two years, and briefly ran choirs on behalf of SingForce and Singing Mamas before lockdown in 2020. Alongside an illustrious career in soil testing, I now focus on what I love to do most: leading people in song, especially if they have limited experience, have been told they can’t sing, or just want to let go and have fun. I have some musical training, but mainly do it because I love it and can’t help it.
I'm also the proud lead singer of folk-funk band The Night Herons. You can see what I'm up to with them here: www.thenightherons.com
Come along and meet me at a choir or gig!
Why Uplift Choir?
I love choirs of all kinds but after years of singing I've landed on the "natural voice" style as my absolute favourite to lead and teach. I learned it from the inspirational Kate Valentine on a blissful training retreat for Singing Mamas Choir, though my first experience of it was at Latitude Festival in 2019, led by Zoie Kennedy under the Singing Mamas banner. It captured me instantly! (Zoie has made a video of her brilliant workshop you can watch here: Latitude Summer Sing 2019. I now teach many of the songs I heard on that magical day!)
This style of group singing is playful, casual and incredibly easygoing, working with whatever sound we make and enjoying it. Voices sound beautiful in harmony, and weaving them together (even discordantly!) creates a special and enjoyable sound that is great fun to be part of. This natural style gives all the benefits of group singing beyond a performance art, like a yoga class but making music. Expression, tuning and harmony all get a workout, but you don't have to think about the outcome. I think it complements other singing activities beautifully - the focus is on enjoying the sound and resonance then and there within the circle, and exploring what your own voice can do. The emphasis on spontaneity and expression that a natural voice group brings keeps the creative spark glowing! It's present and then it's gone - no analysis or homework on the wobbly bits! Circle singing connects people in the song. It means you can be free, be spontaneous, practice improvisation (a fun life skill, not just for singing!) and not have to think too much. I've chosen the name "Uplift Choir" because that is what it does - leaves you feeling uplifted.
Children are welcome at my daytime sessions where they are part of the group and can benefit from being surrounded by harmonious adults. I invite parents (grandparents, carers...) to bring their babies and small children with them to make choir a time they can share with them that isn't geared towards children (or singing "The Wheels on the Bus"). My evening sessions are for adults only to create an unwinding atmosphere.
All that said, we will create beautiful music and strengthen your voice over the weeks, and you will fall in love with the beautiful, simple songs as much as I have.
