Voicebeat is a world music community choir based in the West End of Glasgow. Why not sing with us?
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We sing songs from around the world in easy unaccompanied harmony, often in foreign languages, in an informal, lively, supportive atmosphere. Whatever your background and experience, you are welcome at Voicebeat. There’s no audition and you don't need to be able to read music, as the songs are taught by ear. We meet in Kelvinbridge on Mondays at 7pm (see Rehearsals) and give regular performances. Anyone is welcome to just turn up at any point, but it's a good idea to check the rehearsal schedule first. Your first rehearsal is free. More about Voicebeat here. You can contact us at voicebeat@gmail.com.
We are currently offering a "blended" rehearsal with the possibility of joining the rehearsal via Zoom. Get in touch for details if you might be interested.
NEWS NEWS NEWS
Exciting news: after two years away from performing, we resumed our traditional summer concert at the Kibble Palace on Saturday 18 June, in aid of Positive Action in Housing. Covid was not finished with us: our songleader tested positive days before the concert. But the show went on! Photos and video soon.
In other news...26 September is our AGM. A short business meeting and plenty of singing.
On 3 September 22 we sang at the Glasgow Shanty Festival, the first one "in real life" since 2019.
On 27 May 22 we took part in the Glasgow Choir Festival at the Queens Park Arena, our first performance since March 2020. See picture, right.
In September 2021 we had our first in-person rehearsal for 18 months. We are back in the room! You can also join us via Zoom, for example if you're unwell or away from Glasgow. If you're new (or lapsed) and would like to come along or come back, please do so at any time, and feel free to get in touch if you need any further details.
From April 2020 to June 2021, all our meetings were on Zoom. So how do you rehearse online, and why would anyone want to come to a Zoom rehearsal, what's the point if you can't hear each other? Are there any advantages over a "normal" rehearsal? In the video on the left, Harry explains how it works and suggests reasons why you should give it a try. In the video on the right, singers discuss the experience of singing online, with all its pros and cons, and the highlights of that extraordinary year.
On 25 January 2021 we celebrated Burns Night online for the first (only?) time in Voicebeat history.
On 14 March 2020 we performed four songs as part of a "Gaelictronica" concert at the CCA in Glasgow, starring Barbara Morgenstern from Berlin. It turned out to be our last live performance before lockdown. Audio recordings here.
On 23 September 2019 we had a workshop from the amazing Swedish a cappella folk group Kongero, followed by a short performance. If you weren't there, you missed a treat! Videos of the performance on YouTube here.
We were excited to perform in the evening concert of Glasgow's first ever SHANTY DAY on 21 September 2019.
Our (seventh!) annual summer concert at the Kibble Palace was on 23 June 2019. Videos here. In 2020 and 2021 the concert was unable to take place, for some reason.
2017/18 was our 15th anniversary year. We launched our second CD – click here for a little sample track. Downloads are available on Bandcamp.
Here (below) is a message from Iran, after a member of Voicebeat appealed for much-needed earthquake relief in his native Kurdistan.
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We have a promotional video! Watch it above, or full size on Vimeo. You can also watch this film of our participation in the project "Sing me a new song" (2014).
What they say…Friendly and welcoming atmosphere. Nice folk to meet up with. Relaxed and non-intimidating environment. I felt welcomed and able to just do my best – a pressure-free choir with no audition is brilliant. Diverse, regular gigs. Interesting range of music. I feel more confident about my singing. Fun, informative and entertaining. Good variety of songs. Lots of social activities. Inclusive, fun, easy-going and challenging – a great balance. I love the openness and inclusivity of Voicebeat. Voicebeat made a very big difference in my life and helped me lots during a very hard time. Makes you happy, leave your worries behind! Friendship, fun and fine songs. Banana bread!
Photo: Derek Cowan 2022
OTHER SINGING OPPORTUNITIES:
On Wednesdays at 7.30pm, our songleader Harry runs an informal harmony singing group for men, called Voicemale, at Langside Parish Church, 167 Ledard Rd, GLASGOW G42 9QU On the South Side, Govanhill Voices meet on Thursday evenings at the "Yellow Door Church" to sing unaccompanied harmony songs from all sorts of genres.
Every first Friday of the month, you can sing shapenote ("Sacred Harp") music in Glasgow at an informal gathering known as the First Friday Sing, run by Shapenote Scotland. There is also a Third Friday Sing in Edinburgh. (Restarting soon after pandemic restrictions)
There are regular singarounds in the West End, hosted by Martin Graham on the first Monday of the month at Dram (but check to check on Facebook).
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