True Grit

By Angus Pogson

Huddersfield Choral Society’s academy choir, HCS Voices, were not to be silenced by Covid for long. Lockdown came a few weeks after Voices’ inaugural concert, with the choir then learning Zimba (Alexander L’Estrange).

Rehearsals came to a halt in March 2020 but Voices continued their rehearsal programme via zoom and, despite wanting to return to singing face to face as soon as possible, members have been regularly logging in and singing together. Abi Kitching, HCS Voices’ director, has a natural flair for online learning and has kept rehearsals fun, balanced and interesting – with plenty of singing!

Abi approaches rehearsals by teaching the singers a part for a song while she sings another complementary part. This approach, combined with live accompanist Emma, has members feeling like they are really making music together, despite being apart! However, no matter how well-managed the online rehearsals are, Zoom isn’t for everyone and we are all looking forward to the restart of face-to-face rehearsals.

Of late, Voices has been working on early music, Jazz, Cuban and folk songs to name but a few.

Anyone over the age of 18 can join our non-auditioned choir and be part of the HCS family. HCS Voices is grateful for the continuing support of our sponsor Hoyer and to the Huddersfield Choral Society.