2010 - January
Gem Connection’s “Love To Sing” Course

Physical warm up

We had never done anything like this before, so a lot of hard work went into the preparation and planning stages. Chorus Director Rachael Murphy explains; “From conception to inception, the whole course was meticulously planned by the Music Team and the PROs created an inspirational image of harmony singing for the promotional material. Flyers went all over the local area, with some enterprising members even posting them door to door! We also sent articles to local press. Husbands helped each week putting up risers and making tea for over 100 people.

We were hoping for a good response, but none of us really expected the overwhelming interest that we got. By January, we had 103 ladies registered, and were wondering how we would fit them all in to the school hall where we rehearse!

Welcome to the course

On the 14th January 2010, 77 ladies turned up to the first week of the course. The hall was packed full, and there was a real buzz of excitement in the air. Many of the ladies had never sung in a group before, and probably didn’t really know what to expect. Rachael broke the ice with a fun physical warm up which soon had everyone smiling and relaxed, and ready to begin.

Over the 6 weeks, the students worked alongside Gem members, learning some basic singing techniques such as breath control, posture and “tall” singing. Each week was carefully planned to help build confidence and knowledge. In the first week, Gem demonstrated the four parts, and students were asked to pick a section that they would like to try. With the support of section leaders and members, they were taught two songs; Barbara Ann Medley, and With A Little Help From My Friends. “It was great how quickly the students responded to learning good singing techniques”, said Rachael. “Most of them had never sung harmony in an ensemble before – their faces and energy said it all really.”

Warm up exercises

The course finished with a fantastic evening, where students were able to invite friends and family to come and see the results of all their hard work. They gave a brilliant performance which received thunderous applause. The atmosphere was amazing, and both students and Gem members alike felt that the course had been an overwhelmingly positive experience. Asked to sum up her feelings about the course, director Rachael said “It was amazing to lead the course and a huge challenge, but standing in front of Gem and 60 students who were keen to learn and have fun with harmony singing, was an absolute honour.”

In anonymous feedback forms, 100% of the students said that they had enjoyed the course, and would recommend it to a friend. These are just a few of the positive comments;

• “Brilliant organization and so very friendly and approachable”

• “It was beyond what I was expecting. The depth and fun of the course exceeded expectations”

• “Although I usually arrived at the session tired from a hectic day at work, by the end of the evening I was always zinging from singing!”

Tea wallers

Once the course had finished, we offered students the opportunity to attend an information evening, which gave us a chance to promote Gem and explain what we do, and to talk about the joy of belonging to a chorus, as well as the commitment that this involves! At this point, we invited any students that were interested in joining the chorus to attend auditions in front of the music team. We got 29 students who were willing to give it a go. As well as the auditions, we ran a workshop for those whose nerves had got the better of them, and then gave them the opportunity to audition again.

Following auditions, Gem currently have 17 new trainee members – an amazing result. All trainees have been assigned an existing chorus member as a “buddy” to help them integrate into the chorus, and to support them through the ongoing audition process to become a full member of Gem Connection.

If anybody would like to talk to us about any aspect of the Love To Sing Course, please contact PRO Sam Wallace at sam.wallace@nottingham.ac.uk

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