Readers’ page

Do Sing by James Sills

The last time I sang in a choir was when I was in secondary school. I have fond memories of singing as a child but as I got older, I developed a sense of embarrassment about my voice. Like many people, I only sing on rare occasions such as at a Christmas concert or in the safety of my own home. So I was delighted to discover that James Sills had written a book for those of us who long to join a choir but lack the confidence to do so.

In Do Sing, author and choir leader, James Sills explains the joys of singing to both the uninitiated and those who have past singing experience but have faced challenges in going back to it. Through concise, accessible chapters, get the reader thinking about rhythm, he explores how singing can boost breath and flow and to encourage a person’s mood. He also examines people to put aside distractions, some of the most common reasons why focus on their voice, and how they people stop singing in their daily lives. Sills ‘If you can walk, feel while they sing. Sills makes a passionate is a great believer in you can dance, if case for the importance the healing powers of music (especially when experienced in a you can talk, you can sing’ of lifelong singing to improve wellbeing, bring us closer to our local shared social setting). communities and lift us Sills asks the reader to challenge their up in body and spirit. Under Sills’ assumptions (you don’t need to be encouraging guidance I now feel professionally trained to sound good!), confident enough to join a local reflect on their journey with songs they choir and embark on my own singing have enjoyed throughout their life, and adventure. to let go of their insecurities in order to find a vocal group that specifically suits - Clara Cook them.

A reason, that’s all I needed, a good reason to make me want to understand this whole ‘digital’ world. Until now I’ve found it hard, and scary – what if I do something wrong and lose all my money from my bank account?

I never did a job that involved computers and just have a mobile phone to make calls really. The daughter bought me a laptop and set it all up, but I haven’t had the heart to tell her that I find it a struggle just working out how to turn it on and off and what to do when it flashes up messages. I just about use the email, and the internet for googling things.

Then this coronavirus comes along and the government tells me to stay indoors for three months. Three months! How to cope with not going to choir, not singing, not seeing my mates?

The book includes simple exercises to

Almost immediately, though, there were emails from friends, family, Making Music, about the wonderful stuff people were trying online – having chats and attempting to sing, lots of pictures of happy faces. It made me think: ‘I can’t go anywhere and the only way I’m going to see another living soul between now and June is if I crack this digital business.’

So I did! I have now chatted to my friends, had a singing lesson with our conductor, and planned a Zoom committee meeting for next week – and am so so much happier.

Anon

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