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Top of the Pops
who’s about
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who’s about
Since 2012, Pop Chorus has grown from just eight eager beginners to a thriving and enthusiastic ensemble of eight choirs with nearly four hundred members. We catch up with founder, Yula Andrews, to discover why she is so passionate about spreading the joy of music, song and theatricality throughout Suffolk.
Classically trained, Yula has over 25 years’ singing experience, with a varied career that has seen her performing opera in Harrods to singing with professional ABBA tribute acts. She studied at the Dartington College of Arts for three years, fine-tuning her voice and exploring creative performance and storytelling, before falling into the music industry and deputising for an ABBA tribute band for four years. “Pulling on the kneehigh boots, the costumes and glitter and getting to sing with high level musicians and perform at venues like the NEC was fabulous fun.” A fortuitous blind date in 2008 led to her marriage to John and a move to London. “I continued singing and was part of a band, but London was very competitive and getting gigs was hard work. I was feeling ready for a change so when John was offered a job in Suffolk, we jumped at the chance to start a new chapter here.”
Their son, Jasper, was born shortly afterwards and although family life was hectic, Yula missed singing. Throughout her career she had always found vocal
who’s about
comfort in being part of a close harmony choir and so she decided in her inimitable way that the only thing for it was to start one of her own! “I just love harmonies and am always making them up on the fly. Being part of a choir and working as a group to create an amplified, unified sound is just so uplifting and joyous and I wanted this back in my life. I put up a few flyers but wasn’t sure if anyone would come.” Luckily eight people turned up that first evening and in April 2012, Pop Chorus was born. Through word of mouth – and mainly, I suspect, due to talk of Yula’s incredible energy and enthusiasm for sharing the power of song - more members swiftly followed. Within two years Pop Chorus had established groups in Framlingham, Kesgrave and Ipswich and now, ten years on, members have eight daytime and evening groups to choose from. Yula is firm in her belief that anyone and everyone can sing. “There is no audition, and you don’t need any experience, just come along and have some fun. Singing is a great leveller and joining together as one voice allows people to lose themselves and to forget about their stresses and problems.” Members sign up for a twelve-week term and if they really get into the groove, can attend multiple sessions every week at no extra cost. Yula selects the very best pop songs – from iconic bands such as Blondie, Queen, Lady Gaga and Radiohead – which she expertly arranges into five-part harmonies against professional backing tracks. “I sing and record each of the parts in advance and send everyone a teaching video so they can practise beforehand. This means we can crack on and get to the best part – singing as a choir – as swiftly as possible.”
who’s about
Pop Chorus doesn’t just perform in churches and village halls. Over the years they have belted out a specially written charity single for St Elizabeth Hospice on the pitch at Portman Road and raised the roof of the BBC Sounds Stage at Latitude. “Playing to over 4000 people at Latitude was the most amazing, surreal experience. We sang ‘Atomic’ by Blondie and ‘Dog Days are Over’ by Florence and the Machine, and the crowd went wild. We were invited back two years in a row, and even got to meet Dermot O’Leary who interviewed us for BBC Radio 2. Happy days!” But, as well as loving the big times, Yula is also quietly making a difference on a much smaller scale with her Wellbeing Choir which she runs from a barn in Otley every week. It is open to all, including those with additional needs and people living with dementia and Parkinson’s. “These sessions are very special as they give people and their carers a little respite from their condition, allowing them to come together and share the unabandoned joy of singing.”
As Yula chats away, I can see why people have fallen under her spell. She is genuine, funny and generous and you instantly feel you can trust her and that if she says, you can sing – you can! Maybe there is hope for me yet!
Pop Chorus will be performing on 2nd December as part of Framlingham’s festive late-night celebrations. www.popchorus.co.uk
