The siren-like Kensal Review Choir is luring all sorts of would-be local chanteurs, such as Bruce Traynor, from their hiding places…
I came out of the closet last year. And the shower… and the car… and all those other places where I secretly sang (howled) to myself. Yes, last year I went loud and proud – all thanks to the mighty Kensal Review Choir.
There was much agonising, but the deal-making words on the flier were: ‘There are no auditions’. Because I knew I wasn’t a Mikey Bubbles, or whatever that annoyingly perfect lad’s called. But I also knew that singing gave me a buzz that needed pursuing. So I thought I’d just tuck myself in amongst the more accomplished crooners and hope I didn’t get chucked out.
I was doubly impressed I actually made it to the first ever KRC practice at the Inter Faith Centre on Salusbury Road as I’d only returned from Glastonbury Festival a couple of hours earlier. TBH I think the lingering Dutch Courage may have helped. I can hear your alarm bells! No, not about me being a caner, I mean about whether the choir is a religious thing. It’s not – although we are frothing fundamentalists regarding our beloved KRC – the centre is simply a good venue.
Our wonderful leader Carol, The High Priestess of Uplifting Tuneage, knows how to nurture and treat the variety of talents and, ahem, challenges within the 15 or so of us. And she doesn’t take any nonsense from the immature ones pratting around at the back. Keeps me in line anyway.
Songs are democratically chosen, and an unwritten rule seems to be that they should be moving, euphoric, soulful and fun to sing. Then Carol does an amazing job of breaking them down into parts for highs, middles, lows and leads, so all we have to do is follow our songsheets. Easy, huh?
Six months and two public performances on, and the KRC is on ruddy fire! To a packed, rapt audience at The Island’s open mike night we evangelised Primal Scream’s ‘Movin’ On Up’ and emotionalised (?) Labi Siffre’s ‘Something Inside So Strong’. Then just before Christmas we belted out these, plus ‘Fairytale of New York’, ‘Holly & The Ivy’ and ‘Come Up And See Me’ to pink-cheeked shoppers and friends at the Queens Park Farmers Market.
Admittedly, it can be an effort to get to the weekly practice. But it’s ALWAYS worth it. Without doubt, there hasn’t been a single time when I haven’t bounced back out of that hall feeling a hundred times better than when I went in. Sometimes I’m bouncing, grinning and tingling all at once. I’m a right mess.
Then just when you thought it couldn’t get any better… for those so inclined – and I usually am – there’s the post-practice option of lubricating those well-exercised throats while talking absolute pubbish across the road in the Corrib Rest. And to date, touch wood, they haven’t thrown me out either.
We meet to sing for two hours (with a break!) every Tuesday, 7.30pm, at the Inter Faith Centre, 125 Salusbury Rd, Queen’s Park NW6 6RG. Term durations and holidays pretty much tie in with those of schools. Costs a mere £35 per term (5 sessions).
Kensal Review Choir is recruiting so come on down and join Bruce and the gang, whatever your ability. KRC was started by local author Anne-Celine Jaeger as an offshoot of the Kensal Review group, but it’s open to absolutely all adults…
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
A choir containing Bruce? Shurely shome mistake. I had the great pleasure of hearing the KRC at The Island and talking to the friendly members afterwards, over a pint or two.
If enthusiasm and enjoyment count, they’ll soon top the charts.
I’d like to hear them try some Barbershop or something from the famed Clyde Valley Stompers (who?), e.g. “That Old Time Religion” or “Mama Don’t Allow (No Dixieland in Here). I suppose that “The Foggy, Foggy Dew” is also out of the question.
Just keep belting it out choir, you sound great.
Dear Bruce’s Dad. And when will you be gracing the choir with your presence, pray?