NEIGHBOURHOOD VOICES

THERE GOES

THE NEIGHBOURHOOD

Ahead of their upcoming Fringe at Tramlines show on 23rd July, Exposed caught up with Sheffield-based upper voices choir Neighbourhood Voices to talk inclusivity, live shows with Self Esteem and their big comeback gig.

Neighbourhood Voices is definitely not what you instinctively think of when you conjure up your own memories of a choir (belting out ‘He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands’, this is not!). Founded back in 2017 by Gina Walters, who you may recognise from her other musical incarnation, the superb Before Breakfast, the choir has gained huge popularity in Sheffield for their uplifting performances of contemporary classics, while simultaneously upending expectations of what a choir can look and sound like.

WHAT I THINK NEIGHBOURHOOD VOICES DOES IS TAP INTO MUSIC THAT YOU HEAR A LOT OF, GREAT POPULAR MUSIC, BUT YOU MIGHT NOT HEAR CHOIRS PERFORM.

Such has been the success of the group, that around two and half years ago Gina enlisted the help of Liv Muir Wilson as assistant musical director, and between them, they craft interesting arrangements of songs that you probably won’t hear from other choirs around the city. “I would say that in Sheffield, we are unique in what we do,” says Liv, who prior to joining NV gained plenty of experience working in choirs while studying music at the University of York. “Our rep[ertoire] choice is different to a lot of other groups.” “I’ve sung in rock choirs and pop choirs before and covered a lot of choral standards which are often taken from musical theatre or the current mainstream pop charts which is what you hear on the radio. This is great but they don’t do what we do. What I think Neighbourhood Voices does is tap into music that you hear a lot of, great popular music, but you might not hear choirs perform. The inclusive founding principle of Neighbourhood Voices has always been important to its members and through the choir, people from many diverse walks of life have been given the platform to sing and interact together socially. Given these commendable achievements, it would be easy for them to rest on their laurels; however, they are keenly aware that while their intention is to engender an inclusive space, they aren’t perfect and more efforts can be made to include people of colour and other marginalised communities. Liv explains: “Recently, we’ve had a lot of discussions

NEIGHBOURHOOD voices

around our inclusion language. We obviously don’t want to pointedly ask people in the choir how they identify, but we try to make it extremely clear that we are an upper voices choir and people can make of that what they want. If they feel they fit into that, they are welcome along. It’s something that we’ve had real conversations about, because we want it to be a safe space for women, but we don’t just want it to be a safe space for women.” “We really, really want to make sure that people from any background feel welcome, included and safe to sing. Something that I love about it is that it’s a non-auditioned choir. There are people here who have done music degrees, who’ve been lifelong music learners and can read sheet music and play several instruments, and then there are people who’ve literally never sung in a choir before in their lives. We teach it all by ear. “We have a number of LGBTQ+ and Queer choir members, of which I’m one, and we’re actively welcoming to non-binary people, trans people, and anyone who feels like they don’t currently have a place in choir. We’re doing a lot of work elsewhere to be allies to other groups, and that’s something that’s ongoing and we’re taking on training to support that. “For example, we’ve booked in racial equality training because we recognise that we are a very white, and not exclusively but predominantly middle-class choir. It isn’t lost on us. We want to do the work to make sure that we’re welcoming to all demographics, and everyone feels that they can join. Obviously, you need to see yourself represented in something to begin with, so we want to make sure that work is being done to ensure that. “Something that we’re really working on musically at the moment is to make sure that we’re representing a diverse range of artists in our rep choices. I think everyone, especially on the committee, understands that it’s an ongoing conversation and everyone’s very willing to keep having those conversations. We just want to make it the most open and inclusive space that it possibly can be, and we know that we’ve got work to do to help it get there.” Thanks in part to this inclusive attitude, Neighbourhood Voices bring a unique vibe to all their shows and have played some incredible sets through the years, including memorable Tramlines slots and a magical night at the Leadmill in January 2020, where they performed with another Sheffield fave, Self Esteem. “The gig with Self Esteem was definitely a highlight for me while I’ve been in the choir.” says Liv. “It was amazing. She [Rebecca Lucy Taylor] also performed at our Christmas gig in 2019 at Picture House Social, which was incredible as well.” Liv originally commuted from York for choir, before moving to Sheffield in March 2020, which frustratingly coincided with the first national lockdown, meaning that choir and singing in groups were a definite no-no. Now that things are creeping back towards normality, at least in terms of restrictions on singing, there is extra enthusiasm for the upcoming shows. “We’re just dead excited to be doing a big gig again.. We’ve got new rep and it’s a new time now as well. We have had to work up our confidence as a group and I think this is really going to be the event where we’re like, we are back!”

Neigbourhood Voices play the Devonshire Green Stage at 2:30pm on Saturday 23rd July

WE HAVE A NUMBER OF LGBTQ+ AND QUEER CHOIR MEMBERS, OF WHICH I M ONE, AND WE RE ACTIVELY WELCOMING TO NON BINARY PEOPLE, TRANS PEOPLE, AND ANYONE WHO FEELS LIKE THEY DON T CURRENTLY HAVE A PLACE IN CHOIR.