Project Description
Singing is part of black culture all over the world. I love singing and I have recently re-joined the B.I.G. Choir, which was established in April 2012, in response to demand for a gospel-training choir. [The B.I.G Choir usually meets in Islington and should not be confused with the Big Choir which meets in Barnet!]. Attracting a wide variety of non-auditioned members, the B.I.G. Choir provides a place for those who love gospel and inspirational music and want to learn the fundamentals of voice, singing and musicianship.
Like everything else, the choir went on lockdown early in the year but then started experimenting with teaching by Zoom. B.I.G. has now moved into the next safe phase [with observance of all public health protocols] i.e. using Brookdale House Studios in E17 (home of the London Community Gospel choir), in a system whereby some members meet each week with everyone else connecting on Zoom.
B.I.G. is working towards phase 3 which means moving rehearsals back to St Stephens Canonbury, Islington where they usually meet, but for now are happy that the system works well enough to invite members old and new to formally start BIG YEAR 9 from Tuesday 6 October to 11 weeks, with the last session on 15 December. You can join at any point in the term.
When I got an email a few weeks ago, with an invitation to experience a taster session – I jumped at the chance. Singing over Zoom has restrictions, but they are making it work so far and I am loving it. Even if you do not want to commit to singing in a choir, attending a one-off taster session can be a lot of fun and good for your mental health.
The upside to this new normal is that you can now join The B.I.G. Choir from whichever part of the world you are! The Zoom or similar online teaching feature is something they plan to keep even when most of us get back physically in the same space.
Once you register, Zoom link and teaching recordings are available to you via WhatsApp.
Registration fee for the term: £20
Weekly attendance fee: £5
Tuesdays, 6.45pm to 8pm
Please contact Andreas Encinas Andreaencinas@me.com directly for more details or if you are just interested in experiencing a taster session – all are welcome!