Songs and Gigs

I’ve loved hearing you get to grips with Rock The Boat and I’m excited to start One Last Time. I’m not expecting it to be hard work but there are one or two tricky corners and some high bits – it is Ariana Grande after all! I am going to take my time on it so that we can do some bits and bobs such as recapping Never Forget, Take On Me / Mr Brightside and others in what remains of this half of the term.

All the Resources are now available for One Last Time at popclubchoir.uk/resources or of course, you listen directly in our Player at popclubchoir.uk/player. Many thanks to all who have proof-read the Lyrics Sheet. Hopefully we won't find too many more errors next week!

We’ll also be preparing for our first gig of 2026 (14th February at our Ipswich Venue) over the next couple of weeks. The plan is that we’ll do a set on our own and then we’ll be joined for a few tunes by the fabulous Harry Isaac Presley – Little Bealings’ 9th Best Elvis Impersonator.

Lots more gigs coming in – some new, some we’ve done previously, such as the always fun Run Norwich gig where we get to strut our stuff in front of thousands – so do keep your eyes on the Calendar at popclubchoir.uk/calendar and let me know whether you’re coming or not in the usual way.

More on the Calendar below.

Musical Chairs

Thank you for taking the change of seating in your stride. It’s great for the choir – my old choir-master used to move us around every rehearsal – and it's great for me to get a different perspective on how you sound. I’ll probably keep it like this until the next half of term and then I may try something different.

By the same token, can I encourage you to sit on a different row from time to time? If you’re a regular on the back row, I’d love you to jump up to the front for a rehearsal or two. Likewise if you normally go towards the front, do give it whirl further back. I absolutely get that it's nice to feel one has a place to sit, but I'm also really aware that, as our choir grows, new people tend to get stuck at the back which means I can't hear them and they can't see me quite as well either.

If you're one of the long-standing members, I'd love it if you could encourage new people to sit at the front until they get to grips with things.

New Members and Tech

A hearty welcome to everyone who has joined us this term. Do upload your photo on the popclubchoir.uk/account.php page by clicking the small circle with the words “Upload a photo” in it. If you’re on a mobile device with a camera, you can take a picture. If not, or if you have a picture you like already, you can upload one straight from your device. Only you and I can see it so don't agonise too much about getting the perfect shot. It's really helpful if I'm ever struggling to connect a name and a face.

If you’re not got a name badge you can order one at popclubchoir.uk/shop

That’ll help us all get to know you. And for the same reason, can I encourage the old hands to also wear your badge so the new people can get to know you too! I’m sure you can all remember the first time you crossed the threshold for choir and anything we can do to make this more comfortable for people gets my vote.

There are lots of new features on the website that you may not have discovered yet such as the ability to show all Pop Club Choir events (rehearsals, gigs, socials) directly in your Google or Apple Calendar and I’ll be adding more useful features as the year progresses.

I know not everyone is a tech guru and for as long as our wonderful resident “tech experts” (techsperts?) are happy to do so, we’ll continue our occasional tech sessions. They'll help you with any website questions and get you subscribed to the Pop Club Choir Apple and Google Calendars if you'd like. You can come along between 7pm and 7.30pm.

Summer Holiday

I know it seems a long way off, but I’m starting to work out how best to keep in touch over the long summer break. I’ve started booking in some gigs for August and I’ve moved the Summer Picnic to the end of the month (Sunday 26th July).

If you have any questions then do get in touch. You can email me at ed@popclubchoir.uk, or WhatsApp, call or text on 07973 110075.

Ed