New choir perform own songs

There has been a singing revolution in the UK over the past 10 years.

Led by the BBC’s Gareth Malone, people from all walks of life have found that joining a choir can enhance their health,  happiness and self-esteem, as well as their feeling of belonging to a community.

To the small number of wonderful choirs that already operate in Frome, local resident Guy Wilson would like to add another – with a difference.  The Choir of Resentment, Anger and Bitterness (or ‘The Crabs’) will write and perform exclusively their own songs, give performances locally and hope to develop a strong online presence.

A Frome resident, Guy is a song-writer, arranger, and leader of community choirs in Melksham and Shepton Mallet.  He also sings with, and arranges music for, acclaimed local close harmony quartet The B Naturals and folk quartet Corcordium.  In February he could be heard on Radio 4 performing in ‘Mouthpiece’ by Jenny Bell, in collaboration with The Tobacco Factory in Bristol.

Inspired by his many experiences of collaborative song-writing, Guy says, “Whether expressing political grievances, or just capturing a moment in time, when choirs feel ownership of the song, the motivation to learn and perform it is inevitably stronger.

“Absolutely everyone is welcome to join – singers, song-writers young and old by all means, but mainly just people with feelings to express and share with others – no musical experience needed.”

An initial Song-Writing Session (£3) will take place on at 7.30 – 9.30pm on Tuesday 3rd May at Sun Street Chapel in Frome (BA11 3DA), led by inspirational local collaborative song-writer Andy Hawkings.