Felixstowe Community Choir restarted on 19th July 2021, at a temporary home at St John’s church in Orwell Road, Felixstowe IP11 7PW from 7.45 – 9.15 on Monday evenings, and will meet there, Covid updates allowing, until the Orwell Hotel, their usual home, can have them back in September.
From March 2020 the choir, like all others, was unable to meet in person because of the pandemic, but Emily Bennett, their music coach and pianist, began a free-to-all Facebook Live singalong session that ended in June 2021, when up to thirty choir members started meeting to sing outside as the Covid-rules then allowed.
The choir is preparing to sing with the Music in Felixstowe orchestra at their Last Night of the Proms concert on Saturday 18th September, which is always the choirs favourite performance of the year and was sorely missed in 2020.
“We are learning some new songs and harmonies,” said Emily. “I want to bring out the very best in everyone, improve their technique but as always, make singing enjoyable, improve people’s skills and confidence, and to love the sound we make.”
“I always say that, apart from my family, starting Felixstowe Community Choir is the thing I am proudest of," smiled Rachel Sloane, Choir founder. “Emily gets everyone laughing and singing - including the majority of members who have never sung in a choir before.”
Any men and women aged over 18 are welcome, no experience is needed, there is no audition and sheet music isn’t used so singers don’t need to be able to read music. Watch social media and the choir website for updates. Members are kept up-to-date via a weekly text, an occasional email newsletter, and social media and pay no joining fee or termly subscription but £5 a week when they attend.