Kathy (first alto)
I joined BSO Voices right back when it very first started in 2015. My husband saw the advert and said, “why don’t you go?”. So I went, and I’ve been part of it ever since! It’s a lovely group of people and they’re all so friendly. And Pete and Teresa who conduct and arrange the music are superb. They make the learning process fun.
A highlight for me was Teresa’s Requiem 2020 that we performed at Portsmouth Cathedral in 2022, as well as Carmina Burana at Portsmouth Guildhall last year. I equally enjoy the more popular things we do though, like when we performed music from Disney at the Mayflower. It’s a fantastic thing to be part of.
“It’s a fantastic thing to be part of.”
Robin (bass two)
My wife and I liked the idea that it isn’t necessary to read music in BSO Voices, and we’d heard good things about it from others so that was our decision made to join. BSO Voices has had a significant impact on our lives. Firstly, we’re both retired now so it gets us out of the house! And I love, love, love singing with the Orchestra. I think that is such a privilege. It’s quite amazing to be singing alongside professional musicians! You can’t help but be enthused by that.
I firmly believe it’s good for your spirit and your soul. Not to mention all the other elements like improving breathing and posture. It ticks all the boxes for me. When we performed at the Mayflower it was phenomenal to see thousands of people out in the audience. And when we performed music from Abba at the 02 Guildhall Southampton there were people dancing in the aisles! To have that impact on a crowd of people was inspirational.
“I firmly believe it’s good for your spirit and your soul.”
Robin and his wife
Marie (second soprano)
I hadn’t sung in a choir since I was at school but following my husband’s death in 2012, I really wanted to sing again. In 2015 I joined BSO Voices and it was the first thing I’d attended since I’d lost him where there wasn’t anyone who knew my situation. I was anxious.
However, I felt very welcomed. During the coffee break I met a couple who I’ve now stood next to for 10 years! They’ve become very good friends; it’s like a family. On a dark and miserable winters night you wonder; can I really be bothered to go out? But I always come back from choir practise feeling completely energised and uplifted. I can never go to bed early on a Wednesday night because I still have so much adrenaline pumping through my veins.
“I always come back from choir practise feeling completely energised and uplifted.”
Lyn (second soprano)
I am undergoing my last treatment for stage 4 cancer and was told by medical staff to do all the things that I would enjoy while I can. I’m used to putting other people first, so it was hard to choose something just for me. But the one thing I really wanted to do was to sing in a choir. I joined BSO Voices in September 2024, thinking it would be just for Christmas.
Music to me is a heavenly love language. Being part of BSO Voices and singing as part of a large group is so special. And blending and singing with an orchestra – I’d never dreamt of it! I thought it would just be for a term, but hoped that if my treatment was successful, I could keep singing. It’s now been 15 months and I’m still singing!
The doctors are amazed at what I’m doing and think it must be good for me. They can’t believe that I’m not too short of breath to sing in the way I do. It’s very good for your health, singing. So, as long as I’m able to, I will keep doing it.
“Music to me is a heavenly love language.”
Lyn and daughter Emily
Dianne (second alto)
I’d been in choirs before but had lost the joy I usually found in singing. When I joined BSO Voices I regained that joy. Playing with the professional musicians of the BSO lifts our sound so much. Pete and Teresa who run BSO Voices are phenomenal talents. We work hard in rehearsals, but there’s a lot of laughter too! It’s all in very good humour. Going to choir on a Wednesday evening becomes a fixture in your week that you really look forward to.
The sense of community within the choir is wonderful. In today’s world it might be that you don’t have community where you live, but you find your community through groups like this. I have a strong feeling that I am part of the BSO Voices community and that once a week I get together with likeminded people, and we make a lovely noise!
“It might be that you don’t have community where you live, but you find your community through groups like this.”
BSO Voices perform Baroque Majesty [25 April] at 02 Guildhall, Southampton. If you or someone you know is interested in joining the choir, click here for more information.