To my mind, I can sing.
It’s just that by the time I’ve left the shower, the notes have changed and somehow, as Eric Morecambe once said, I can produce all the right notes but not necessarily in the right order.
Countless weddings, birthdays and, at this time of year, carol concerts have seen me tone it down and resort to humming or miming along.
That’s a familiar story for some members of Ian Penwarden-Allen’s regular choir which meets at Holme, near Milnthorpe.
Formed as a home for those who sing but can’t, the first thing that strikes you is that there no formal auditions, warm-ups or countdown to concerts – they don’t perform in public.
And that’s the appeal to the 40 or so who turn up and simply sing.
Here you’re among like minded people who won’t frown at your falsetto; gentle chiding from Ian is as much as it gets.
“Anyone with a voice can sing,” Ian maintains. “There are choirs where people can perform and that’s great – we’re not like that.”
Married to a professional singer and with significant experience of performing, Ian’s all too aware of the pressures people face and the fact that for some, being told ‘you can’t sing’ at school is a stigma that can last a lifetime.
Yet by gently encouraging all to follow his lead and just enjoy the sensation of singing, he’s built a growing choir of voices with a variety of abilities.
“It’s wonderful – you come every week, have a fabulous sing and we just have a really great time,” Julia Baker from Levens told me. “You go home feeling lighter.”
At the session I attended, men were significantly in the minority.
I spoke with Ed from Garstang and Hugh from Burton in Kendal, long serving members from the outset, who both agreed that being involved in a gathering where being the best doesn’t matter was refreshing.
“It’s the social side too – it’s good to meet and be with this group of people,” Hugh said.
The group, which meets in Holme Village Hall has outgrown other venues and judging by the turnout it may soon be looking for an even bigger home.
I joked that the Winter Gardens in Morecambe might be a likely venue but the fact they don’t perform to an audience, even friends and family, is the whole point of this choir with a difference.
“It’s a safe space for people to sing their hearts out with no judgement,” Ian said.
The song choices are well known pop songs from Piano Man to (aptly) Thank You For The Music, Mr Blue Sky to Africa; songs we’ve all doubtless sung along to and maybe made the odd word up.
“Singing’s the most wonderful thing for everybody, whatever trouble or cares you’ve got have gone when you leave here,” choir member Judy said.
As the morning is rounded off with a rendition of Make Your Own Kind of Music, each member heads off with heads held high and new found confidence that no matter who’s listening, the community they are now part of are in tune with each other – and that will more than do.
