We've been SING-Devon-ing in Plymouth since 2015. The ethos is simply that we get together for the sheer joy of singing together! It’s a warm, welcoming group – we don’t do formal. We get beautiful sounds but in a way that lets us have fun and joy ourselves as we do it.
Both experienced singers and people who haven’t sung before are welcome. You don’t have to be able to read music as the teaching is by ear, but if you find it helpful ‘the dots’ are available, as well as mp3’s of all the songs and individual parts.
There are no auditions. We perform from time to time, but that’s not the main focus. It’s mostly about the joy, beauty and zing that happens on a Thursday night when we sing together!
We choose songs that we find uplifting.
History Note - SING Devon met for nine years in Pomphlett Methodist Church, from November 2015 (building on the success of Exeter a year previously) to March 2024, when the Church closed down. We had many wonderful sessions there and we particularly remember Bert Symons our wonderful link with the Church until he died in 2021, and Margaret Williams since his death. We remember them with great fondness.
Why We Sing
"There are so very many people who think they can’t sing. Gareth Malone has proved a lot of them wrong. I’m on Gareth’s side! What about you?
Have you ever been in the middle of a lovely big choral sound and been able to contribute something that makes that big sound even better? Millions of people do it in all sorts of choirs and love it. Are you one, or this a treat still in store?"
"One of the brilliant things about choirs is that people with all sorts of levels of experience can rub shoulders and everyone can benefit.
Some do it for the physical effects. The way the oxygenation leaves you feeling hyper alive; the way the vibrations especially in your head and chest cavities leave you feeling relaxed and soothed; the way the breathing and physical movement are like a gentle workout."
"Some do it for the social-ness. It’s brilliant fun to sing together with other people and have a laugh at the same time. It’s a lovely vehicle for shared experience.
Have you felt the ‘zing’ yet – that magical moment when everything just clicks and suddenly a light goes on inside you, and you can’t take the smile off your face? You just feel alive!"
About Pete Scott
More recently I led, played lead guitar, and wrote all material for the Hothouse Band The Hothouse Band which featured Louise Parker, the fine jazz vocalist from Plymouth.
I was part of the acclaimed SAMS team (Saturday Music School for children) in Totnes for over 10 years.
I love writing, transcribing, and arranging wonderful songs, and then singing them with other people. It’s so infectious and happiness-producing!
I hope you’ll join us!
Music and Peace
When I used to work with the West African singer and drummer Ade Wallace (mentioned above) he used to tell me that he used to tell me that the role of a musician is as a peace-maker. Musicians and music bring people together in peace, often from different cultures, and create commonality and understanding through the universal language of music. Perhaps the double meaning of the word ‘harmony’ is not an accident.