In autumn 2024 I re-united with Larua Morrell, previously the choral director at the Awesome Choir of Rock, but this time for some vocals coaching via her SingPop Adult Workshops.
Laura asked me and the rest of the student group to choose two contrasting songs that we would like to perform. My first choice was David Bowie's ~ Heroes, a song that I had worked on previously but not performed live. So, on an October evening, I found myself behind a microphone in a church hall singing Heroes to Laura and my fellow students. The first time singing into a mic other than in my music room since 2019 really felt quite daunting.
My second song was going to be 'You've Gotta Friend' by James Taylor, written by Carole King. Thinking that I should try something more uptempo, I changed my mind and chose one of the songs that I've encountered with the Soul Choir, the Northern Soul classic 'The Night' (Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons).
Laura asked me and the rest of the student group to choose two contrasting songs that we would like to perform. My first choice was David Bowie's ~ Heroes, a song that I had worked on previously but not performed live. So, on an October evening, I found myself behind a microphone in a church hall singing Heroes to Laura and my fellow students. The first time singing into a mic other than in my music room since 2019 really felt quite daunting.
My second song was going to be 'You've Gotta Friend' by James Taylor, written by Carole King. Thinking that I should try something more uptempo, I changed my mind and chose one of the songs that I've encountered with the Soul Choir, the Northern Soul classic 'The Night' (Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons).
The Student Showcase event 'On The Mic' provided the experience of performing our songs in the well-known Calderdale music venue, 'The Blind Pig'. This provided real world staging, PA and monitoring with a sound technician and Laura looking after us too.
Each student sang two song choices that we had prepared using input & feedback from the Sing Pop workshops. I enjoyed singing 'Heroes' but felt that the Northern Soul classic, 'The Night', was my better choice and got the better audience reaction.
I used David Bowie's official video as my reference track for learning 'Heroes'. Meanwhile I used Darrell Smith's cover, as performed at the Northern Soul Proms in the Royal Albert Hall, as reference for 'The Night'.
I used David Bowie's official video as my reference track for learning 'Heroes'. Meanwhile I used Darrell Smith's cover, as performed at the Northern Soul Proms in the Royal Albert Hall, as reference for 'The Night'.
The Blind Pig
The Stage
Deembe
