Demand for Dumfries Community Choir continues - get involved

New classes are opened up on Wednesday night’s to cope with popularity

In just two year’s Dumfries Community Choir has managed to punch above its weight on the national stage and it all started with just twelve participants in a café in Dumfries.

Since then the company has welcomed the Olympic Torch to Dumfries, rocked the Wickerman stage two years in a row and even sung for the First Minister during his visit to Dumfries.   The Choir have also been invited to Edinburgh Castle next month to sing in a prestigious ceremony which celebrates volunteers in Scotland.

Part of Electric Theatre Workshop, the choir now boasts over one hundred people taking part in the biggest singing group in South Scotland.   It is part of the programme of activities that run from the Munches Street building which boasts activity for all the family seven days a week.

Participant David Nielson from Dumfries says

“My self esteem was really low before I joined the choir two years, and now I am part of a really good community of people who make me feel positive every week, and who take part in social activities throughout the year”

Justin Hyslop, Associate Director for Electric Theatre Workshop

“We never take ourselves too seriously, and no one is asked to sing on their own – it’s about singing together and having fun – if people are even curious they should come into our building and get involved”

Katriona Bailey, a participant from Dumfries said:

“I was terrified the first night I joined – but I am so glad I had the guts to come up, and everyone is in the same boat – it has been life changing”

Regular exercising of the vocal cords can even prolong life, according to research done by leading vocal coach and singer Helen Astrid, from The Helen Astrid Singing Academy in London. "It’s a great way to keep in shape because you are exercising your lungs and heart. Not only that, your body produces ‘feel good’ hormones called endorphins, which rush around your body when you sing.

It’s exactly the same when you eat a bar of chocolate. The good news with singing is that you don’t gain any calories! Not only can it increase lung capacity, it improves posture, clears respiratory tubes and sinuses, and can increase mental alertness through greater oxygenation. It even tones the muscles of your stomach and back, that is if you’re singing correctly."

If you are interested in coming along -  pop in to our studios in Munches Street and chat to some of our team, or to register call us on 01387 271820