Patrick WarrenPatrick Warren

 

My name is Patrick warren. I have been a choir member for 6 years and sing in the bass section of the choir.

I am aged 65 years, married with two grown up children. I have had a varied working career with my main employment with BT for 25 years and my best job was serving in the Army for 7 and half years, which in hindsight wished I had made a career of it.

I love all kinds of music with some minor exceptions and have always wanted to be part of a musical group and be able to perform for my own satisfaction and hopefully to the satisfaction of others.

I had previously heard and seen the Cannock Ex-Servicemen’s Club Male Voice Choir (CESCMVC) in concert. So when I reached a point in my personal life when I was able to devote some of my spare time to music I decided to join the choir.

I had very limited musical knowledge but had played around with a guitar but not with any skill. Also I could not read music.

So what was I letting myself in for not knowing anything about singing in a choir except for my time in a secondary school choir and singing in the bath?

I established that the choir met and practiced on a Monday evening at the Cannock Ex-Servicemen’s Club and I plucked up the courage (being a shy person) to go to the club and sign up to the choir.

I arrived at the club and saw that the club was open but not many cars on the car park expecting to see many more. I gained entry to the club but the place was deserted except for the single bar staff.

I explained my reason for being there to be told that the choir was not meeting that night for a reason I can't now remember.

So after a quick pint which calmed my nerves I went home thinking I have got to pluck up my courage again to make another attempt to join the choir the following week.

Monday came and I arrived at the club. This time more parked cars and more activity in the club. No turning back.

I can't remember who I spoke to introduce myself but I was welcomed with open arms like some very important person which I was later to find out that it is rare for people to appear off the street wanting to join a choir.

But seriously, I was made most welcome and soon made to feel at home. I was put into the Bass section and looked after by two experienced choristers. At this stage I did not really know about different sections of the choir. I thought you just joined a group and stood there and sang.

Possibly a couple of weeks later after practice and most of the choir had left for a pint or home I was asked to sing notes in unison and in tune with a piano. This established my vocal range and was asked to join the bass section, which was in need of more members.

The choir uses sheet music (the musical notes and words written together). I did not have a clue about the musical notes apart from seeing they went up or down on the what I now know as the staves. 

The words, no problem. Co-ordinating the words to the music were a problem. But as the music and words are broken down and practiced in small chunks and really learnt parrot fashion. So initially it was all very alien, but with the support of the choir and musical director and knowing that others in the choir have the same problems as yourself you soon pick up the ropes and a lot of the music seems to flow and makes sense with no previous musical knowledge.

There is no pressure and although it seems very daunting at first you learn at your own pace and everyone is in the same boat when it comes to learning new pieces of music.

On average it takes about 6 months to learn a new piece of music confidently enough to perform in concert. Some take less others take longer.

Like the armed forces the camaraderie in the choir is great. We are a small friendly choir, which in many ways is better than a large choir. You fit in more easily and we can perform at smaller venues where a larger choir could not fit in.

Since joining the choir it has encouraged me to take up keyboard lessons where I am learning music theory. Also I have taken up the Guitar again and improving my playing skills.

A couple of my favourite songs are: Frank Sinatra singing “ I’ve got you under my skin”. Barbara Dickson and Elaine Page singing, “I know him so well” from the musical Chess.  I also love big bands and military music.

I hope this has given those thinking about or wanting to join a choir an insight of what its all about. It is not as difficult as you may think. All you need is an interest in music and being able to sing in tune with others and a piano. The friendship is great and the pleasure of singing for others and the appreciation shown by audiences make it all worthwhile.

Although historically the choir was made up of ex-servicemen this no longer applies.

So what are you waiting for? Even if you would like to sing in a mixed choir we can put you in touch with many local choirs who are always looking for more talent.

GO FOR IT YOU WILL ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE