Only a small percentage of people are officially tone deaf, but many don't hit the right notes, they may lack confidence or be out of practice. It's this 'not quite right' that's know as being 'tuneless'. The idea is to have fun stomping through a songbook of classic anthems and feel good tracks together. From Journey's Don't Stop Believing, to Wham, Abba, Take That and Bonnie Tyler. If we're feel
ing really brave, or maybe a little crazy, we might even give Bohemian Rhapsody a go (head banging optional). The Tuneless Choir concept originated in Nottingham by Nadine Cooper who has a singing scar some of you might relate to:
"When I was 11, our music teacher laid his hand on my arm and asked me to stop singing. He told me I was spoiling it for everyone else. Ever since then I've tried to avoid singing in public. But I feel I've missed out on a great deal of pleasure." Tuneless Choir Maidenhead meets on Wednesday evenings from 8-9.15pm. We offer the occasional 'deal' like a 'Free September Sing' or 'Bring a Friend for Free' but otherwise it's the equivalent of £7 per week for a term or £9 pay as you go if you prefer flexibility. Local resident Katie Hone manages the choir and Mike Workman is the Choir Leader.
“I think we need more opportunities to do things just because they're fun and feel good. From personal experience I know how easy it is to let the day-to-day stresses of life feel like they’re taking over. We can spend hours a day striving to hit targets where our work and behaviour is being judged as success or failure. Singing provides a wonderful ‘time out’ and is a fantastic, fun way to release a little of life’s pressure.”
“There’s heaps of evidence showing that singing releases feel good hormones; it can decrease stress and anxiety and strengthen our immune system. No wonder we love to belt out classic power ballads in the car or the shower when we think no one is listening! But couple that with doing it in a group and the magic really happens – being part of something bigger is in our nature, we need to feel connected to others. In the case of Tuneless Choir we are celebrating being bad at something together – and I think that is very refreshing!”
For years, many who have felt too embarrassed to sing within earshot of others can now reap the benefits by joining a Tuneless Choir.
