DOUBLE THE JOY: Our Second Choir Team.

The Story So Far

Eighteen months after launching our very first Women Rockin’ Harmony Choir® in Blackpool, we took a bold step forward: opening a second team in St Anne’s. Just far enough away to attract new members from a new area, yet close enough to make joint rehearsals from time to time, feasible.

We followed exactly the same procedure as with our original team - advertising a New

Members’ Night and waiting to see who would walk through the door. About eight ladies came along to that very first evening, and four of them decided to join us. Slowly, by repeating the process twice more, we developed a strong team of nine regular singers.

Just like in Blackpool, some people who attended chose to stay, while others didn’t - and that was perfectly fine. We'd already experienced the personnel “churn” which preceded the settling in of a regular membership with the Blackpool team, so we knew what to expect as the new team developed over the next few months.

What stood out most was how quickly each team developed its own unique group personality. Both choirs were absolutely lovely, but their characters were quite distinct. The phenomenon continues, as strangely enough, once the distinct character of each team developed, new members whose personality would fit nicely, tended to turn up at the appropriate team!

As a professional singer, this fascinated me. It reminded me of how different audiences can be: each one delightful in its own way, but never quite the same.

A Warm and Fuzzy Surprise

One of the most thrilling moments came when the choir uniforms arrived — our red T-shirts and hoodies. When the St Anne’s singers tried theirs on for the very first time, I felt a rush of pride and joy I hadn’t expected. Suddenly, we had not just one choir team but a second fully uniformed line-up, and it felt incredibly special.

Coming Together as One

I’ll admit I felt a little apprehensive before our first joint rehearsal. Would the two teams gel?

Would the sound blend? I needn’t have worried. The rehearsal was an absolute joy: the energy was fantastic, the sound rich and full, and both groups were warm and welcoming to one another. New friendships blossomed immediately, and from that point on the two teams began to feel like one wider choir family.

Now, when life gets in the way of attending their usual rehearsal, members confidently drop into the other team’s session for the week. It’s such a testament to the bond we’ve created across both choirs.

More Voices, More Variety

Having two teams has brought a whole new dimension to our shows. For some singers, the

number of songs to learn can feel daunting. Now, I can allocate certain pieces to each team - highlighting their particular strengths - while also reserving the most intricate six-part

arrangements for when we’re all singing together.

This approach not only lightens the learning load but also makes our performances even more engaging, giving audiences greater variety in sound and style. It has also allowed us to confidently say “yes” to more local events and charity performances, since we now have a bigger pool of voices to draw upon.

Looking Ahead

Of course, there are challenges. Each team has its own learning style and pace. But our joint rehearsals have become exciting milestones - something we all look forward to as we prepare for our Summer and Christmas shows.

Altogether, the launch of our second team has been a huge success, and we couldn’t be

prouder of the journey so far.

Want to Join Us?

If you’d like to add your voice to the Women Rockin’ Harmony CHOIRS® sound, we’d love to meet you! Click here to find out about our next New Members Nights - or find us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok to see what we do.

Click here to receive our free eBook, 'Rockin' Harmony 101 - Your Guide To Becoming A Superstar Choir Member' 

Some of our Blackpool South & St. Annes Team at our rehearsal venue, NW1 Theatre School.