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Tone deaf choir bringing joy to amateur singers

Clara Bullock
BBC News, Bristol
The Bristol choir that can’t sing.

A choir that "brings joy" to tone deaf people has added evening classes to meet the high demand.

Zest Choir in South Gloucestershire welcomes people who "think they can't sing" and has proven to be very popular.

The group meets regularly at Longwell Green Community Centre and people say it "brings joy" to them.

Mary Williams, founder of Zest Choir, said: "This is a safe space for people who think they aren't good enough just to let it rip, really, and have a really good time. It's really good for well-being as well."

Hilary Thomas is seen from her shoulders up. She is wearing a red and white striped shirt and a blue lanyard. She is smiling.
Hilary Thomas said she does not care that she cannot hit the notes

Hilary Thomas, 65, a member of the choir, said she "absolutely loves" it.

"I don't really care, I can hear my own voice but I don't care," Ms Thomas added.

"It's the fact that it's a tuneless choir and I thought, well, I'm tuneless, so I can come to this choir."

Mary Williams is seen from her shoulders up. She is wearing a green shirt. Her hair is blonde and shoulder-length.
Ms Williams said she wants the choir to be a "safe space"

"We've got people here who maybe be struggling with mental health issues. Some people come because they want to get better," explained founder Ms Williams.

Andrew joined the choir after he retired.

He said: "Whilst I'm not tone deaf, I find it quite difficult to keep the pitch of a note and my sense of rhythm is not great either. But that's fine here."

There are still spaces left for people to join the new Wednesday evening class.

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