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Today, we have a guest post from Exeter Gospel Choir.  Have you ever heard a Gospel Choir? If you watched the Royal Wedding then you have seen and heard one singing three songs at the heart of the service. Did you know Exeter has its own Gospel Choir? WHO ARE WE? We are a group of diverse people, over eighteen year olds, who enjoy singing in a group where voices of all grades, strength and tunefulness attempt to blend together to make a fair/good/inspiring sound. WHEN DO WE MEET? We meet for 10 weeks each term, avoiding school holidays, Wednesday’s 7.15 p.m. for a cuppa, 7.30 – 8.45 to sing. WHERE DO WE MEET? The main church part of St Thomas Methodist Church, 110-111 Cowick Street, Exeter EX4 1JE. ( Parking outside the church, bus stop nearby, a short walk from St Thomas railway station.) HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? The first session is a free taster. The cost is £50 per term and you can also pay half termly. WHO LEADS OUR CHOIR? Our leader, Vicki Parks, is a qualified friendly, fun, professional who has all the qualities , experience and qualifications we sought in our leader. HOW TO MAKE CONTACT; We have an Exeter Gospel Choir Facebook page for messages/comments/posts, email exetergospelchoir@gmail.com or pop along on Wednesday nights. OUR AGREED ETHOS: The Exeter Gospel Choir are inclusive; welcoming all abilities; with no auditions and no expectations of reading music; have a Christian Ethos but welcome and respect all faiths or none; sing Gospel songs, spirituals and community songs; are affordable- paying termly; are as paperless as possible in rehearsals, even if we use music at home; we learn by rote and sound files; participate in performances and competitions. (January 2018) Most of us joined to sing, make friends or take up a new hobby. The reasons for joining are as diverse as the people. These are some comments that members wanted to share with you; I can’t remember who it was told me about it but it remains an important event in my life. I presented myself to a group of men and women who welcomed me with open arms. No audition. This was IT and I had found “home”. I immensely enjoy this choir of people who expressed their enjoyment singing gospel style songs and didn’t just stand there but moved about a bit. Exeter Gospel Choir is the highlight of my weekly activities. An uplifting evening, I feel good afterwards Always amongst friends; feeling the brain fill with oxygen and joy – a really positive adrenaline rush! Wednesday – the best evening of the week! It’s choir time at the Methodist Church in St Thomas. With our wonderful leader Vicki, we’re guaranteed an inspiring time. We chat, limber up, we laugh (a lot), and of course we sing! Occasionally we make an incredible sound and we cry! Singing that’s good for the soul. Informal, relaxed and friendly. I’ve been a member for a couple of years. I guess I was inspired by Gareth Malone. Singing in a choir sounded unbelievable. I didn’t think of myself as a good singer but I came across a post that said you didn’t need to sing, just come along, so I did and I completely loved it! Joyful singing good for the heart and good for the brain. I moved to Exeter 4 and a half years ago after bereavements and I saw a Facebook page advertising a new term starting in January in St Thomas. It had always been on my wish list to join a choir again and with trepidation I bravely went along to the first session. It was everything I hope it would be! The joy and love I felt from that first visit has stayed with me and has given me confidence in myself again. I am sure for me, the timing was crucial, Exeter Gospel Choir helped me o be part of something so wonderfully uplifting and joyous. I am finding my way again. An enjoyable way to sing with others – no “wrong” notes, just lots of fun.  EXETER GOSPEL CHOIR
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AuthorRosalind Johnson - STCA Chair Archives
May 2018
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