A south west London pub choir is rethinking traditional singing by running informal drop-in sessions where anyone can take part.
The Pub Choir is a relaxed singing event where participants learn three to four songs over the course of an evening, with no auditions or pressure to perform.
Sessions cost £8 and take place every two weeks in pubs in Teddington and Twickenham, on Monday and Thursday evenings.
Carl Speck, the teacher, singer and pianist behind The Pub Choir, said: “There are a lot of people who think they can’t sing, but they love singing all the same – just without the pressure.
“That’s why we keep it informal – if you want to take a break, grab a drink at the bar, or skip a song, no problem.”
The Pub Choir began in Brisbane, Australia, where audiences were taught a popular song that was performed, recorded and shared on social media.
The London version follows a similar format, with Speck teaching a selection of songs during the session before the group sings them together at the end of the night, followed by a recording being shared online.
At The Anglers in Teddington, where The Pub Choir is regularly held, the first session in January featured a mix of classics including The Pointer Sisters’ I’m so Excited and Johnny Nash’s I Can See Clearly Now.
Two regular participants said they had been attending for years, and rarely missed a session.
Speck, a former school teacher who also gives music lessons to children, believes the commitment of a traditional weekly choir can be too rigid for many working people with busy schedules.
He added: “I think it’s a nice excuse to meet up with a friend, grab a drink, and have fun singing some songs.”
While research into choir participation in Britain has been limited since the pandemic, the Big Choral Census in 2017 found that the nation has at least two million regular singers taking part in at least 40,000 choirs.
Since launching The Pub Choir in September 2018, Speck has experimented with themed events including Disney nights and The Sound of Music singalongs.
However, he continues to return to the traditional format.
He said: “There’s something lovely about being submerged in a load of voices, you just don’t care as much and people quickly relax.”
With online interest in The Pub Choir growing, Speck is keen to expand his offering and his next challenge is set to be a wine tasting singalong.
Featured image: Instagram @thepubchoir
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