Saturday, April 2 will see the next in a series of free community singing workshops taking place in libraries across Southampton as part of Choral Clans, a project started in October 2015 by Southampton Music Hub – writes Madeleine O’Beirne.
Choral Clans workshops are led by experienced vocal leader and choral director, Fiona Funnell, and the aim is simply to enable families and friends to come together and express themselves through music.
Children from primary school age and up are particularly welcome, as long as they have an adult to accompany them. The project organisers say, “We would like to inspire families to get singing, enjoy the health and well-being benefits it brings and enjoy the power of participating together!”
Libraries the perfect community venue
The vocal workshops are held at libraries throughout the city so that everyone can find a session fairly close to home. Libraries provide the perfect venue, because they are at the heart of the community – a familiar place to which children can come with their parents, grandparents and carers and, of course, a great place for friends to meet up, too.
The workshop I attended at Cobbett Road on Saturday, March 5 was a joy. I was invited by a friend, and although I hadn’t sung for many years, I felt immediately at ease. Fiona has a real gift for making everyone welcome, and communicates her enthusiasm for music, together with her sense of fun, to create a wonderfully supportive atmosphere.
All age groups and abilities
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There was a diverse mix of age groups and abilities, some of the youngest participants helping those of us who struggled to remember the melodies or the words. Fiona says each workshop varies: “Every session is unpredictable and totally different from the last. There may be six participants, all adult, or forty participants, including under-eights who are hanging out at the library while their parents join in the harmonies.”
The workshop I attended seemed to develop spontaneously, and Fiona concurs with this. She says, “I love the fact that I have to be prepared for anything. So I may have a few songs up my sleeve, but then adapt the plan when I see who is at the session.”
At one point I found myself listening to the vibrant harmonies emanating from the group and wondering how Fiona could have achieved this with us in such a short time – it was magical.
Songs from around the world
My favourite songs were ‘Short Days and Long Nights’, one of Fiona’s own songs, and also a cheerful round about spring, aptly named ‘I Like the Sunshine, I Like the Daffodils’, which I found myself singing all weekend as I planted and sowed in my garden, in readiness for warmer weather.
Fiona draws upon a wonderful variety of themes, with part songs and traditional folk songs from all around the world. She says she’s currently learning a Latvian song from a mother and daughter who attend regularly.
It seems that quite a number of people have chosen to attend more than one workshop, and Fiona says she now has regulars who try to come every month. This is positively encouraged by the organisers, who emphasise, “You are welcome to attend as many sessions as you like.”
Where will the workshop take place?
The Choral Clans workshop on Saturday, April 2 will take place at Central Library from 10.30 am to 12.00 noon, and sessions will continue on the first Saturday of each month until Saturday, July 2. They are absolutely free, great fun, and you really don’t need any previous musical experience, so why not go along to your library and join in? I’m hoping, as I’m sure all regulars are, that the project will continue after July.
Find out more about Choral Clans
The Choral Clans project is funded by Southampton City Council and Lottery Funded by Arts Council England. If you would like further information, contact Nia Collins, Vocal Co-ordinator at Southampton Music, either by phone 02380 832572, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by following this link to the Choral Clans website.
If you would like to get in touch with Fiona and find out more about her workshops and her choir, Delicious Sounds, you can email her.
Madeleine O’Beirne
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