Spooky

Ever ready to acknowledge a kindred spirit, Mr Gnome relished a brief but uplifting encounter with Chris Samuel at the recent Community Choirs Festival.

Check Chris's website for a glimpse of his mission to awaken people to the life-enhancing joys and benefits of singing in groups - just for the fun of it.

A brisk glance through his CV reveals the aspect of Chris that most intrigues Mr Gnome.

Chris is a Spooky Man.

That's to say he is a booster, enthusiast, evangelist and, indeed, part-time member of The Spooky Men's Chorale, the incomparable Australian a capella musical phenomenon.

Sparing with his use of the word 'unique',  Mr Gnome has no hesitation in applying it to this quirky, gifted, subversive and massively entertaining ensemble.

Be warned, the Spooky Men will be performing around the UK in summer 2011. More details on their website.

Meanwhile, immerse yourself in spookiness via the men's Youtube compilation.

Various Voices

Mr Gnome was privileged to visit the recent Various Voices international choral festival at London's South Bank Centre.

A rainbow-hued diversity of ensembles gathered beside the Thames, united by their love of that most joyful of human activities - singing together.

Mr G relished contributions from North America, Holland, Germany, Scotland, England and Ireland.

Special mention to the splendid singers of the Vancouver Men's Chorus, performing outside North America for the very first time. Dashing, dignified, disciplined and gimmick-free - inspiring and uplifting. Hurrah!

To the same tune

Having discovered, late in life, an inexpensive, infallible, instant route to pleasure and delight, I'm thrilled to learn that the remarkable Brian Eno is on to the same thing.

Want to know more?

Check here.

Sing out!

Ever eager to celebrate all that's positive and purposeful, Mr Gnome shouts 'Hurrah!' for two crackingly charismatic choirs.

Both have been participants in the BBC's contest Last Choir Standing.

Strikingly different from one another in many ways, these ensembles exhibit the elements that Mr G so enjoys - energy, enthusiasm and, of course, musical excellence.

In addition, there's the indefinable spirit that they communicate - it's clear that singing is so much more than a hobby to these men and women. The phrase 'breath of life' comes to mind.

Click below to relish the infectious chutzpah of the Brighton Gay Men's Chorus, giving 'I Am What I Am' their not inconsiderable all.

And here for the dignified strength of Belfast's Open Arts Community Choir's performance of Labi Siffre's 'Something Inside So Strong'.

Community choirs - and a surprise 'c'

A whole day of full-throated singing at the Community Choirs Festival, Warwick University.

Some twenty singing groups gathered, more or less filling the University's Butterworth Hall.

We learned songs and chants from around the world, took part in a call-and-response workshop with a Congolese leader, and, finally, performed our party pieces to one another.

Binding all together is the distinctive approach of the 'natural voice network' - which maintains that anyone can enjoy taking part in choral singing.

So, no auditions, no regimented rows, no printed music. We warm up, loosen up and learn by listening and repeating. It's fun, energizing and, for me, liberating and joy-inducing.

We closed with a South African farewell song:

Remember me, forget me not
Think of me, wherever you go
I am yours and you are mine
Remember me wherever you go

Lovely, rather haunting tune. The song was brought back from SA by a Cheltenham choir that has a strong link with the Diamond Singers, a choir of workers employed in the de Beers mines.

Part of the choir's role is to spread positive health messages, particularly related to HIV Aids.

Read the lyrics again. 'Remember Me' is in fact a very memorable, very timely reminder to carry and use condoms.

Maybe there's a 'natural voice' singing group near you.

Sing out!

Mr Gnome urges Midlands-based music lovers to head for the Songlines Winter Concert on Saturday 15 December.

Led by the inspirational and extremely tall Bruce Knight (above), two enthusiastic a capella choirs will join forces to perform songs from the USA, Africa, New Zealand, Bulgaria, France and Scotland.

• Where? All Saints Parish Church, Leamington Spa
• When? 8.00pm / Saturday 15 December
  
• How much? £5 (adults), £3 (children)
  
• In aid of WaterAid

Bruce's groups are community choirs. The singers learn by listening and repeating: no printed music, no tickings-off, massive amounts of energizing fun.

E-mail Mr Gnome for more info....