Choirmaster was launched in February 2019 by Musical Director, Adam Allinson. On our first night, we had 40 singers join us, many of whom are still with the choir today. We launched initially at Ocean Road Community Centre in South Shields with one simple aim; to bring people together through the power of singing and to create a fabulous community choir. Little did we know at the time that the choir would grow to the size it is today!
Throughout 2019 the choir grew from strength to strength with our first public performance being at The Proms In The Park in South Shields, Bents Park. For many members of the choir, this would be the first time they had ever sung in front of their friends and family let alone the public. The day was a huge success and we very quickly looked for further opportunities. The choir went on to perform at The Great North Run as well as performing alongside Joe McElderry at The Customs House in South Shields. We even performed a flashmob at Newcastle Central Station.
In November 2019 we were approached a by a local group in Hebburn who were interested in launching a choir in their area. Little did we know that 80 people would come to the first rehearsal and Choirmaster Hebburn was born! Both choirs continued to go from strength to strength culminating in our first Christmas concert at the end of 2019 to an audience of 600 audience members across two shows.
2020 hit the choir hard with the arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic. We managed to continue with rehearsals on Zoom which kept many singers together and gave them the opportunity to keep singing and socialising ‘virtually’. The pandemic knocked the confidence of many singers and when we managed to return to rehearsals this was outdoors at South Shields football ground. It was certainly an interesting experience to sing outdoors. Eventually when restrictions lifted we found a new venue at The Hedworth Hall where the choir remains to this day in South Shields. We also very quickly returned to rehearsals at The Elmfield Social club in Hebburn.
The choir has gone through a number of changes in terms of style and ability. At our core we are a community choir with singers of all ages and abilities. However, we have developed a strong contingent of around 150 singers who sing 4 part harmony and perform to the highest possible standard.