We are Local Vocals Community Choir
Who are Local Vocals?
Local Vocals started in January 2019 as a Community Choir for anyone over 18 who wishes to spend time in a relaxed group singing away the cares of the day. We are based in Deddington and the choir is run by a small committee of volunteers. Our aim is to laugh, sing and more often than not, hit the right note!
Here are a few comments from current and past members!
“This is such a great way to unwind after a heavy day at work. Lots of laughing and good fellowship. My favourite evening of the week.”
“My lovely wife died on her birthday the 3rd of February 2019. She was 76 years of age and we had been married 57 years. My loss was great and I knew I had to find an interest to lessen the pain and so I joined the Local Vocals Community Choir. My choice could not have been better. The warmth of the choir members and their friendly attitude, and of course their singing, gave me at least one evening in the week I could return home feeling content.”
“…wanted to say how much I have enjoyed my first two visits to the choir rehearsals. The evenings have been stimulating and fun. The friendliness of the fellow members is also both warm and encompassing!”
Our Choir Leader:
Rachel has been involved in making music from childhood firstly in the school orchestra, at University and then later as a music teacher both in the Indian Himalayan foothills and in schools in the Midlands and Oxfordshire where she led many choirs. A trained percussionist Rachel also plays the piano, bass guitar and baritone saxophone and is currently Assistant Producer of Folk Weekend: Oxford, a member of a big dance band, member of a choir and a Morris Dancer. Since September 2021, Rachel also takes us through our paces and we are fortunate to have a new experienced and patient choir leader who inspires us to go beyond what we think we are capable of.
Our Last Repertoire:
– The Parting Glass: a Celtic farewell song more recently recorded by Ed Sheeren
– Somewhere Only We Know: released in 2004 by the alternative rock band Keane
– With a Little Help from my Friends: the Beatles classic
– Let the River Run: Carly Simon hit from the 1989 film Working Girl
– Streets of London: 1974 hit for Ralph McTell
Choir Practice
By choir member Cathy Lawday
Every Monday evening
I go to practice with the choir
I sing with all the altos
because I can’t get any higher.
The sopranos reach the high notes
And manage not to shriek
They’re lucky, cos they have the tune
Almost every week.
The altos rarely have the tune
They sing the base line without protest
And after singing 8 bars on one note
They have 7 bars of rest.
The men, known as ‘the baritones’
Make a sound that’s deep and low
And whenever they get lost, or bored
They sing along with altos.
We’re more or less under the control
Of our long-suffering choir master
Rachel soldiers on with enthusiasm
And manages to smile at our disasters.
Every week she teaches us
Skills you musn’t under-rate
Now we can all recite the aphabet
And can count from one to eight.
At our end of term concerts
We dress all alike in maroon
We hope folk will see how smart we look
And not notice we’ve strayed off the tune.
So why not come and join us?
It doesn’t cost a lot
And if you can’t read music
It matters not a jot.
What’s important is your attitude
That you’re willing to have a go
If you mime your way through a few tricky bars
No-one will ever know.
A choir is by definition sociable
It’s there for everyone.
So come and “make an awful” – sorry “a joyful sound”
Join us for some fun.
None of us are brilliant
We’d never dare sing on our own
We’re way beyond the help
of even nice Gareth Malone.
But it keeps us off the streets
It saves us from petty crime
And every Monday evening
We all have a rocking good time.
