{"id":15851,"date":"2019-01-08T14:50:24","date_gmt":"2019-01-08T14:50:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.city-academy.com\/news\/?p=15851"},"modified":"2024-04-03T12:54:01","modified_gmt":"2024-04-03T11:54:01","slug":"meet-choir-singers-songbirds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.city-academy.com\/news\/meet-choir-singers-songbirds\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet the Choir Singers of the Songbirds Choir"},"content":{"rendered":"
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We have so many amazing choirs which offer their own unique sound, so we decided to chat to them and share their stories. In this article we talk to five choir singers<\/strong> from Songbirds, our fabulous all-female choir!<\/p>\n

Jade Borkowski<\/h2>\n

\"choirVocal Section - Soprano 2<\/p>\n

Occupation - Patent Secretary<\/p>\n

Songbirds member since October 2018<\/p>\n

1. Why did you want to join a choir?<\/strong>
\nI love to sing, I wanted to meet other females my age who love singing as much as I do and after experiencing the taster session, I realised I could learn a lot of skills being a member of a choir because you really have to tune in to your own voice to hear yourself above everyone else but also make it work together.\u00a0I have always had a passion for performing arts and I was originally thinking of taking on 1-2-1 singing lessons but I thought this would be a good opportunity to meet like minded choir singers and broaden my social circle as well as boost my confidence.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

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2. What made you choose Songbirds?<\/strong>
\nSongbirds stood out from the rest; before joining, I watched a few clips on YouTube and they sounded incredible, they looked professional and Katherine Hare is such a talented tutor, with so much experience and an incredible voice. I also love that they work from sheet music; although it's not a necessity to be able to read it, I find it really useful as I used to study music theory. I wanted to be a part of a choir that is recognised and respected, where it's fun but I get to learn key skills from the professionals as well.<\/p>\n

3. Most memorable experience so far?<\/strong>
\nI think it has to be as simple as being added to the Songbirds Whatsapp group as everyone was just so welcoming, I found it quite moving and I knew then that I had made the right choice, joining these particular choir singers. I will be attending a choir festival weekend with Songbirds next month which I think will be a real ice-breaker and a great opportunity to get to know the other members better. Believe it or not the 2 hours we are together each week, absolutely fly by.<\/p>\n

4. What are most looking forward to for your next performance?<\/strong>
\nBeing on stage again! I love the whole atmosphere of everyone getting ready backstage, seeing the stage crews set up, the bright lights and singing with a live band.<\/p>\n

5. Favourite song you sing with the group?<\/strong>
\nAll the songs I have sung with the choir are actually in preparation for the Christmas Showcase so I would hate to give away too much just yet. All I can say is, my favourite is from the one and only Mamma Mia! Here we Go Again. It's a beautiful song and it literally gives me goosebumps; I'm excited for everyone to hear it.<\/p>\n

6. If you could describe the choir in 3 words, what would they be?<\/strong>
\nMoving, friendly and beautiful.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

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Claire Roberts<\/h2>\n

\"songbirdsVocal Section - Soprano 1
\nOccupation - Product Lead
\nSongbirds member since January 2017<\/p>\n

1. Why did you want to join a choir?<\/strong>
\nI had always been in choirs throughout school and uni and started to associate them with being in education, so thought I should give myself a break when I got my first job. Pretty soon I realised how much I missed it. I tried out a few community choirs before a friend suggested the Songbirds (props to Hayley!). Honestly, just having a couple of screen-free hours with good music and great people is the best reason to join a choir.<\/p>\n

2. What made you choose Songbirds?<\/strong>
\nI remember my first rehearsal when Kat took us through Kayama by Karl Jenkins - it was a completely different sound, all these female voices singing such a guttural song in an invented language. That's when I knew they weren't your average girls' choir, which I love.<\/p>\n

3. Most memorable experience so far?<\/strong>
\nThe entire Pitch Battle process with the Songbirds was totally surreal, but singing 'Ain't Nobody' with Chaka Khan in rehearsal while she fluttered her Chaka-branded fan at us will stay with me forever!<\/p>\n

4. What are most looking forward to for your next performance?<\/strong>
\nI think I'm the only person in the choir not to have seen Mamma Mia 2 (working on it!) but I still love the Abba song we're doing. We've also had permission to wear sequins. Need I say more.<\/p>\n

5. Favourite song you sing with the group?<\/strong>
\nThe Sound of Silence, it's one of my favourite songs and sounds gorgeous as an acapella version.<\/p>\n

6. If you could describe the choir in 3 words, what would they be?<\/strong>
\nSuper-talented, welcoming and ambitious.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

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Laura Sugden Clarke (Suggs)<\/h2>\n

Vocal Section - Alto 1\"choir
\nOccupation - Writer
\nSongbirds member since May 2016<\/p>\n

1. Why did you want to join a choir?<\/strong>
\nI\u2019ve always sang in one way or another, but never really in a choir and not very consistently. I\u2019d been living in Canada for a few years and joined a supremely nerdy \u201cglee\u201d club there. I loved the sense of joy and community it had - it also brought music and singing back into my life and made me realise how much I\u2019d missed it. Then, when I moved to London I thought it would be a good way to meet some people.<\/p>\n

2. What made you choose Songbirds?<\/strong>
\nHonestly, it was an accident. I was going to do a hip hop class with City Academy but suffered an unfortunate Beyonc\u00e9-related injury and had to have a rethink. I started exploring the website and found the choir section; Songbirds had tasters the next day so I went along to see what it was all about. I knew I wanted to join from about 15 minutes in. Best-timed injury ever.<\/p>\n

3. Most memorable experience so far?<\/strong>
\nSinging on the BBC last year and getting to rehearse with Chakha Khan was potentially one of my biggest ever \u201cpinch-me\u201d moments.<\/p>\n

4. What are most looking forward to for your next performance?<\/strong>
\nWe choir singers are doing an incredible version of Stand By Me that I\u2019m so excited for. The harmonies are just gorgeous.<\/p>\n

5. Favourite song you sing with the group?<\/strong>
\nWe did a Motown Medley last summer that was excellent - all my favourite songs rolled into one. (There may have also been some Supremes-esque dance moves too...)<\/p>\n

6. If you could describe the choir in 3 words, what would they be?<\/strong>
\nWarm, supportive, brilliant.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

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Rebecca Shellim<\/h2>\n

\"choirVocal Section - Soprano 1
\nOccupation - Events Manager
\nSongbirds member since 2011<\/p>\n

1. Why did you want to join a choir?<\/strong>
\nI have been singing for as long as I can remember and have been in choirs since primary school. So finding a choir to join after university seemed like a natural thing to do, that\u2019s when I found The Songbirds.<\/p>\n

2. What made you choose Songbirds?<\/strong>
\nI tried a couple of other choirs before discovering The Songbirds, although we weren\u2019t known as The Songbirds back then! I felt right at home when I started and then a few months later Kat, our Choir Director, took over and I knew it could only be onwards and upwards with her in charge! I am really proud to be one of the original members of the choir, to see how much we have grown and achieved over the years is such a wonderful thing.<\/p>\n

3. Most memorable experience so far?<\/strong>
\nI was lucky enough to sing \u2018Pie Jesu\u2019 along with my fellow Soprano 1, Lynsey Monroe a few concerts ago. We were both so nervous, but the setting in the church and the rest of the choir singing behind us created the most beautiful atmosphere, it felt very special and I was really pleased we showcased some classical music.<\/p>\n

4. What are most looking forward to for your next performance?<\/strong>
\nI think it\u2019s our most diverse repertoire yet so I am looking forward to performing some different material to what our audience might be used to!<\/p>\n

5. Favourite song you sing with the group?<\/strong>
\nThis is SUCH a difficult question to answer! Leigh Thompson, our Musical Director, wrote a beautiful arrangement of \u2018Flight\u2019 by Craig Carnelia, which I loved singing. \u2018Hold On\u2019 by Wilson Phillips has basically become our anthem since we sang in on Pitch Battle on the BBC, singing that fills me with a lot of joy!<\/p>\n

6. If you could describe the choir in 3 words, what would they be?<\/strong>
\nFun, talented, loud!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

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Josephine Mee<\/h2>\n

Vocal Section - Soprano 2\"songbirds
\nOccupation - Youth Worker
\nSongbirds member since 2014<\/p>\n

1. Why did you want to join a choir?<\/strong>
\nI was relatively new to London, and had realised I\u2019d got a little consumed in my job and had left my passions and hobbies behind, hence joining Songbirds! Best decision ever. I\u2019ve made wonderful friendships that if I hadn\u2019t have made, I think I would have really struggled to stay in London.<\/p>\n

2. What made you choose Songbirds?<\/strong>
\nErrrrrm, I did some research online, and Songbirds came up! It worked for me as there was no audition to enter, (too terrifying!) and it was only 2 hours a week commitment. The location also helped being so central. I watched a few videos too, and could see they absolutely loved what they were doing-always a winner!<\/p>\n

3. Most memorable experience so far?<\/strong>
\nThere\u2019s so many\u2026.getting to perform on Pitch Battle was a very special one, but I\u2019d say every concert we do. It\u2019s always such a joy and uplifting experience to sing with a group of people you care about, and then too see and feel the audience\u2019s love of it too, it gives you goosebumps! Every concert is like a big hug!<\/p>\n

4. What are most looking forward to for your next performance?<\/strong>
\nEverything!!<\/p>\n

5. Favourite song you sing with the group?<\/strong>
\nThis is far too difficult, I am ridiculously indecisive and we\u2019ve sang so many songs I\u2019ve loved for different reasons.... we sang Elvis Presley, Can\u2019t help falling in love with you at the last concert, that was very beautiful - I could never get through it without welling up, even at the concert!<\/p>\n

6. If you could describe the choir in 3 words, what would they be?<\/strong>
\nYou asked if I could and I can\u2019t! But, if I had to sum it up, it\u2019d be singing with the Songbirds, makes you smile with your soul!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

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Calling All Choir Singers<\/h2>\n

For any budding choir singers, City Academy has a range of talented and fun choirs to choose from. Whether you want to belt the latest West End toppers with Encore<\/a>, join our contemporary soul and jazz choir Voices<\/a> or go for pop and indie with Amplified<\/a>, there's a choir for you:<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Songbirds Choir \u00bb<\/a>
\nEncore Choir \u00bb<\/a>
\nAmplified Choir \u00bb<\/a>
\nVoices Choir \u00bb<\/a>
\nSingers Choir \u00bb<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

We have so many amazing choirs which offer their own unique sound, so we decided to chat to them and…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":15907,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[102,120],"tags":[332,1858,333,1402,230],"yoast_head":"\nMeet the Choir Singers of the Songbirds Choir | City Academy News<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"We have so many amazing choirs which offer their own unique sound. We talk to five Choir Singers from Songbirds - our fabulous all-female choir! 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