Useful Links

Inspiration

The Choir With No Name
(http://www.choirwithnoname.org/)

"London's first homeless choir... founded on the premise that singing makes you feel good; it distracts you from all the nonsense in life and helps you to build up your confidence and abilities."

Young@Heart
(http://www.youtube.com/)

See the deservedly famous American choir Young@Heart in action on YouTube at www.youtube.com/results?search_query=young+@+heart&search_type. Truly inspiring!

"Young@Heart" documentary trailer
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjnfoFg7i7g)

Watch the trailer for the documentary "Young@Heart", about the famous vocal group from Northampton, Massachusetts, who have earned an international reputation for their unique interpretations of songs by Sonic Youth, the Ramones and the Clash. However, this isn’t a teenage garage band attacking the classic punk-rock songbook – the Young@Heart Chorus consists of 22 senior citizens whose average age is 80. Filmmaker Stephen Walker spent several weeks with the Chorus as they prepared for their annual concert in Northampton, and the resulting poignant and humorous documentary offers a look at their rigorous rehearsal process, the background of several of the members, and their efforts to stay active and think positive, even as their friends succumb to old age.

Why sing?

Brian Eno on choral singing
(http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_7805000/7805583.stm)

0743 on the Today programme, 31/12/08. Guest editor Jarvis Cocker invites Brian Eno, "the father of ambient music" to explain what he is hoping for in the year ahead. Eno describes singing in harmony as "when you stop being me and start being us".

Sing the nation
(http://www.singlondon.org/singthenation/default.asp)

Singing makes you feel good. Singing with others makes you feel better still. Sing the Nation offers an opportunity to reclaim your voice. Just park your inhibitions by the door. Sing the Nation is a festival to get the UK singing; all kinds of people singing all kinds of music in all kinds of places.

The joy of singing
(http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/womanshour/01/2008_34_wed.shtml)

Radio 4 Woman's Hour asks why we sing and whether anyone can sing.

Woman's Hour on an interesting choir
(http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/womanshour/02/2008_52_wed.shtml)

Woman's Hour feature The Choir with No Name, a choir for the homeless and disadvantaged.