Fran André

Growing up in a musical household and singing in church choirs got me started ? music has been a constant in my life. After performing a lot in my teens, and 20s, I later got great joy from singing Motown and Stax classics as part of local band Souled. Then Soul of the City appeared in my life, and I absolutely love being part of this choir family and the new challenges it brings. Top tip: I’ve done a lot in music with a completely non-formal music education, don’t ever be put off by the dots, just feel the music in your soul.

Music and singing have been a huge and treasured part of my life. After losing our son in 2014, I neglected song for a few years. Joining the Soul of The City Gospel Choir has re-awakened my love for singing, particularly with other voices. Singing in harmony is a release and cannot help but move and lift the spirits to elating heights.

I think my earliest memory of singing was on a school bus trip in Primary School where I sang, using the bus driver’s microphone, I’ll Be Your Long Haired Lover From Liverpool. Since then I am happy to say my musical tastes have improved and my love of music now varies from artists such as John Denver to The Carpenters to Biffy Clyro and most things in between. I am always singing both inside and outside the home resulting in very embarrassed offspring at times. Being part of a choir is something I cherish, not only as I get to sing with such enthusiastic and talented people but also for the unique bond that is created between the choir and their Musical Director.

Ever since I was young I have loved singing and performing; starting with the church choir and school shows. More recently, I have also sung in a local community choir and been involved in musical theatre productions which have been a source of great joy to me.
I absolutely love being part of the Soul of the City choir family! Every week I feel grateful to sing such heartfelt, joyful and uplifting songs with such a talented group of beautiful people.

Growing up I loved singing ? at home, at church and at school. I did an occasional performance with my sister as part of the local operatic society and was briefly in a band as a student. There was a long period in my life when I didn’t do any formal singing. I rediscovered the joy it brought after going to a singing camp and then joining a number of local choirs. I haven’t really looked back. It now feels fundamental to my life and sense of wellbeing. I love performing and I love the sense of community. I had no idea there was so much to be learnt about singing and I?m really enjoying the challenge in Soul of the City to constantly improve the quality of our performances.

I enjoyed performing at summer balls and parties with a barbershop group at university. Since graduating I have been on the look out for a friendly, joyful choir, whose members are inspired and committed to making wonderful music to share with others. I was thrilled to find, and be welcomed in to, Soul of the City Gospel Choir. I love the buzz that comes from working as a team to create a magical, spine-tingling sound.

I am a one to one singing, beginner guitar and songwriting tutor and workshop facilitator. I work with students of all ages and abilities, both privately and through not-for-profit organisations. I studied at Leeds College of Music specialising in pop music, songwriting, tutoring and community music.

l’ve always had a love for singing and music. School days were full of concerts and performances. I played stringed instruments from the age of 5. Later I became the lead singer of a band at University and enjoyed singing the classics of the time, such as Roxanne by The Police I feel privileged to be a member of this choir. It is so joyful and uplifting to be together every week. It?s very energetic and leaves you feeling fantastic and the community vibe is fabulous. This is by far me best choir experience.

I have been involved in singing since joining my primary school choir and have never looked back! I come from a family of singers and so it is definitely in the genes. I have sung in various choirs and local bands, fronting a local band in Cornwall for over ten years. My highlight was singing to a busy festival crowd in Calstock overlooking the Tamar on a sunny May Day. Now, I am really enjoying being part of Soul of the City a warm, friendly and vibrant choir and looking forward to more singing adventures.

When I was about eight years old I sang in the church and school choirs until leaving school, apart from the odd bit of amateur dramatics I hadn’t really sung again since then. I’ve always had a passion for music anything you can dance too, whether it be soul classics, disco or house music, as I’ve grown older I’ve discovered the music and dance of Electro swing, Lindy hop, salsa and tango. I started singing again 8 years ago in a community choir which was great fun. I then heard auditions were taking place for Soul of the City and very nervously went along, to my delight I got in. The songs we sing & the people are an absolute joy and inspiration! We’ve become a great choir family.

Whether channelling Piaf on the Pont Neuf or Pavarotti in Pompeii, I’ve always loved performing! So being on the incredible Soul of the City musical journey with such a fabulous bunch of talented, creative and inspiring people fills me with joy. I am hugely proud to be a tenor lady in our wonderful choir family, sharing the uplifting spirit and healing power of singing.

I have always loved singing and the joy it brings to others and to me! I have been fortunate that singing has been a constant in my life whether that was in choirs, function bands or as part of church worship. I have sung in a variety of choirs from choral to community but my love has always been for gospel music. My singing highlight was singing in a duo in front of 2000 people at an event in London. I am looking forward to more highlights as part of the wonderful Soul of the City choir

I?m never not singing and music is my life! I started working at the Academy of music and sound last year and have been inspired by the students and encouraged by my colleagues so here I am. This is my first time singing outside of the work office, the car or in the shower! And its great to be part of such an uplifting amazing group of people!

I’ve been singer / songwriter / keyboard player and budding percussionist since I was 16 and have been a Frontwoman in several original Funk and Soul influenced bands in the South West over the years. I have always been inspired by music with heart, soul, natural rhythm and depth and by singers with big voices! I have worked in the studio alongside Electronic Music Producers writing vocals, harmonies and keyboards for original tracks. I also spent 10 years DJing and running nights and events and have also been part of the UKs first ever Drum and Bass Choir in Bristol.

Now in Devon life is a little bit quieter. I have recently joined Soul of the City Gospel Choir. It?s great- The songs are brilliant, they really uplift you and the group is super friendly and talented, who could ask for more?!

I used to sing tenor, but now I?m a bass. Despite my identity crisis, the choir is my weekly fix of me time. Singing is great for my stress levels and I really look forward to our weekly rehearsals and the buzz of the gigs. I’ve never had any formal singing coaching unless you count being in a Beatles tribute band at university! If I was to sum up the choir in three words I’d say? Social. Challenging. Fun. Uplifting. Joyful. Inspiring. Relaxing. Rhythmic. Maths was never my strong point.

Neil has been producing digital music since he was 14. At the age of 19 he toured Germany with his Hip Hop outfit called the Dookie Squad and he has had over 10 vinyl releases since 1994. He?s recorded and engineered many genres of music from Jazz to Drum and Bass in some incredible recording studios including Acid Jazz, London. He?s worked with many incredible artists including Roy Ayers, Jim Mullen and Hamish Stuart (Average White Band) to name a few and decided to join the choir after seeing us play in December 2019. Today some might know him as Beach Cams Man or the vlogger from Dawlish Beach Cams as he has a large following bringing live streams of Dawlish to the world.

I love the feeling of joy, aliveness and connection that comes from singing, and particularly singing with other people. My love of singing began at an early age performing in musical theatre and stage productions. I have enjoyed being in a number of great local choirs and musical theatre groups over the years and now feel I have found my singing home. Fabulous uplifting songs, arranged by an enthusiastic and talented choir leader, that encourages us to sing for the stars, accompanied by a musical magician with a wonderful group of supportive, positive souls. Soul Of The City you ROCK!