Discover the joy of singing
Join the City Singers and bring a little joy to your Tuesday afternoon.
The group is designed for, and open to, anyone who enjoys music and could use a boost in the middle of their day.
It meets every Tuesday from 12.30pm to 1.15pm at The Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity for a casual singing session led by Jennie Foster Skelton and Jonathan McBeath.
“We have this great location at the cathedral, we are right in the city and we love it when we are able to bring together bigger choirs. We were trying to think how we can reach out more to our community,” said Ms Foster Skelton, whose background is in vocal performance and worship leading and is the cathedral’s director of music.
Mr McBeath, the church organist, has been playing the piano and organ since childhood. Together, they came up with the idea of a community singing group that would double as an outreach ministry.
“We first came up with the idea of having some sort of choral group in the city,” Ms Foster Skelton said. “We checked with the cathedral team, who were willing to sponsor us, and we started putting together music.
“We just put it out there. Some people are working in the city and others are retired and come in from outside of the city because they enjoy singing.
“We didn’t know who would show up. We have people from all over. A lot of people are involved in some church around the island, but there are some that are not connected to any church at all. It wasn’t necessarily meant to be for people of faith or not. But we are who we are. We just all benefit from fellowshipping together.”
Much of the music they sing is Christian — spirituals, contemporary praise and worship — however, the group will also perform “the odd show tune”.
There are no perquisites to join and no prior musical experience required. It is open to anyone who has an interest in music or enjoys singing. Currently there are about 20 regular attendees.
“We always have a good laugh at City Singers. We don’t take ourselves too seriously. We take what we do seriously, but we don’t take ourselves seriously. No one will ever be ostracised for making an error at City Singers. I am so inspired by them and the sounds they make.”
The group formed nearly a year ago, on February 26. Ms Foster Skelton is excited about its future.
“We express so much joy and derive so much joy from music. And as a music minister, I love to share the joy of Jesus and this is one way that I can do that. Music is a way to share the joy that I have in my heart.
“Joy is infectious — and that is the feedback that we get from our singers. It’s refreshment in the middle of what could be a very stressful workday.
“We want the people who come to have an overwhelming sense that God loves them. When you are here, you can’t help but feel the depth of God’s love because there are a lot of people in the room who love God.”
• The City Singers will perform a free concert at The Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity on Tuesday, March 10 at 12.30pm. An offering will be taken to benefit a local charity. For more information: 292-4033 or cathedral.music@anglican.bm