A friendly women’s barbershop (or should we say, ‘Barbara pop!’) chorus based in Wadebridge!
More Harmony is a friendly singing group that was founded in 2010 by Pauline Gobbitt and Catherine Hudson.
The group is now run by chair Emma Tofi and musical director Lesley Harris. Lesley wanted an activity to encourage her out of the house and meet friendly people and followed her joy of singing to a More Harmony workshop. Two months later, she joined the group and performed at multiple festivals and 'Barbara pop' conventions.
Emma found More Harmony after a difficult year, where she had suffered from depression. A work colleague asked, ‘What do you love? What makes you happy?’ and Emma’s answer was ‘singing’! A few minutes into her first workshop she realised she was offered a perfect solution.
The group welcomes any women over 16 and believes anyone can sing. They believe singing should be fun and so, although they work hard on harmonies and performance techniques, they make sure there is plenty of laughter and time for tea and biscuits after each rehearsal for those that want to stay behind for a catch up!
They build relationships with other choruses that sometimes drop in on rehearsals if they’re visiting Cornwall and More Harmony members are welcome to do the same when on holiday around the country. Lesley said: “It is a very social experience.”
They hold in-house workshops with visiting coaches, weekly rehearsals, group socials, performance opportunities and open workshops in various locations. If this sounds like the group for you then free up your Thursday evenings and head along to their rehearsals at the Ambulance Hall in Wadebridge from 7.15pm – 9.30pm. The kettle goes on and biscuits come out at 9.30pm for some social time.
The first two sessions are FREE to see how you feel. After that it is £6 a week for visiting singers or you can audition to become a member. Auditions are extremely relaxed and are mainly to help decide which harmony group your voice best suits.
Becoming a member only costs £24 a month which includes membership to More Harmony, membership to the Ladies Association of British Barbershop Singers (LABBS), and a chorus bag which contains your More Harmony jacket, scarf and all your music! Emma and Lesley have worked hard to compare their membership with other choruses to make sure that they are a great value for money!
Emma and Lesley couldn’t stress enough the incredible bonds and lifelong friendships that have been forged at More Harmony and the building of confidence they witness in members each week. Emma said: “If you find yourself singing in the shower, or in the car, if singing makes you happy, then come along.”
You can also hear More Harmony in action on the Studio Bodmin CD, recently produced as part of a local music project by Morvil Studios which will soon be available on Spotify. The CD is available to buy from The Old Library, Bodmin (intoBodmin).
Visit their website for more information: https://www.moreharmony.co.uk/
Contact: 07856218930
Or email: contact@moreharmony.co.uk
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