It's Not Just About the Singing

Baritone Steve Marshall explains what being part of a choir means to him, why he does it? And what other benefits can be derived from being part of such a group?

“The singing is of course vitally important, to any choir and many choristers will tell you that it can take some time before the voice produces the sound that people love from a choir.” 

So do you need to be able to sing before you join? 

“No you don’t” replied Steve who added that Cwmbach Choir is now 101 years old and many of its members just came along to a practice session without any background in singing, that they were probably nervous to begin with but soon found the camaraderie something to enjoy.

He also explained that it is the comradeship that binds most members to the choir, many of the younger members enjoy the singing of course as do all the members, but it is also the companionship, the feeling of belonging to a larger group and it is a great leveller in that it doesn’t matter what you do or did for a living, all are equal and there really aren’t many groups that can offer you that.

So what awaits a new chorister?

“There are four parts to a choir, starting with the Basses, Baritones, Second Tenors and Top Tenors. Very few people know which section will suit their voice and what follows is a process that allows each chorister to feel first of all discover things that perhaps the didn’t know about their voice. Usually everyone starts off by just singing a tune or a melody line. What changes though is that every new chorister has a partner appointed to him who will help him reach the right note and pitch. It is this process that involves tuition, and listening to the group and finally the choir itself. Before long each chorister can sing well enough to join us in a concert depending on how quickly they can learn the words to songs.”

Is that the same for everyone?

“I don’t know why the voice takes so long to adjust” added Steve. “Everyone is different and yet everyone receives the same support, Many are ready after three months, at least that is my experience.”

So what other advantages are there for choristers?

“Well there’s the travel” confirmed Steve, “Obviously the recent covid pandemic put our travel plans on stop as we did intend to visit South Africa again to celebrate our centenary.”

 Cwmbach has literally travelled the World in its history, with Canada, South Africa and most countries of Europe. Steve also explained that practicing once a week gives many members something to do during the dark winter months and the concert calendar also provides focus for everyone as most of them are booked by English audiences anxious to hear a real Welsh choir. 

Anything else?

“It says a lot about the way our choir works in that both ukulele and Rock and Pop groups have been formed from the membership and our Uke group recently took part in the Brecon Jazz festival. Our pop group called the Remnants of Oz, also plays the clubs and pubs.

It is the Choir that is most important however and Cwmbach like many choirs is always keen to attract new members. Final words to Steve on this;

“You don’t have to be able to sing to join Cwmbach, we will teach you how to sing and we will work with you to find your place in our choir.