If you have ever found yourself whistling to some music from the radio thinking, "Wouldn’t it be great if I could do something with my voice?" Well, you have come to the right place. The city of Leicester has an enormous variety of choirs; whether you are a professional singer with lots of grades behind you or just like singing the songs that you love in the shower, there really is something for everyone. Come along with me on a brief tour through Leicester's choirs and some of its musical history, as well as reasons why it is such an interesting time for the choir scene.

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A Brief History of Choral Singing in Leicester

Choral music has been significant in the musical history of Leicester because the custom of choral singing has been practiced in the city for many centuries. Traditionally, religious music performed in the numerous churches and cathedrals of Leicester constituted the prevailing vocal music in the area. Notably, the Cathedral of Leicester enjoys a long history of choral singing. The Cathedral Choir was the nucleus of all choral groups for many decades in the past.

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Choral societies were especially abundant in the East Midlands during the Victorian Era. Choral singing by working men's choruses and other groups was widespread during this period. This development marked a major change in the practice of singing since the act itself was now associated not only with religion but also with community activities.

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From the twentieth century onward, choral music in Leicester kept developing and expanding. With the creation of several choral societies, barbershop choirs, gospel choirs, and other community choruses, by the time the modern times rolled around, Leicester had developed quite a few different choices in terms of musical singing ensembles. Indeed, if you're wondering which choir is the best in the modern Leicester, there are several good options.

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Classical Choral Groups of Leicester

If you have a thing for classical choral pieces, Leicester has some excellent places for you to check out. For example, Leicester Philharmonic Choir is one of the oldest and most renowned choral ensembles in the area, having existed since more than one hundred years ago. They present classical choral works with an accompanying orchestra, putting on amazing performances all through the year. If you like such classics as Handel's Messiah or Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, here's where you should go.

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Another choice that you will definitely enjoy is Leicester Cathedral Choir, which features liturgical choral music and has an outstanding reputation. This choir holds religious services during the week and organizes some more formal concerts. You can expect high quality of music in any performance of this group, as well as the connection to the spiritual heritage of Leicester.

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De Montfort Singers is yet another popular choral group in Leicester that combines both classical choral pieces and contemporary works. It typically appeals to people who are interested in serious commitment to choral singing but want something beyond classical music exclusively. Performances are very impressive and the group's atmosphere is very welcoming and cozy.

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Gospel and Modern Choirs

If classical isn't your bag and you prefer something with more life and joy to it, then gospel choirs are one of the best places to get involved with choral music in Leicester. As is the case with many aspects of the city, there is a great deal of history to gospel choirs within Leicester, thanks to its wonderful diversity of communities. There are numerous gospel choirs in and around Leicester which offer opportunities for membership and are usually affiliated with churches in the local area, though not exclusively. In rehearsals with gospel choirs, there tends to be a real buzz and familial atmosphere, with the performance aspect being extremely infectious. It will leave you feeling happy and uplifted after each practice session.

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Barbershop and Male Choirs

There is a rich tradition of barbershop choral music in the Leicester region. Charnwood Chorus is one such barbershop chorus from the local area which performs in a number of contests throughout the year while also doing shows and performances in the wider community. Barbershop, with its almost obsessive approach to achieving perfection, is wonderfully nerdy and its devotees adore this quality about the style.

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Rock and Pop Choirs

More recently, rock and pop choirs have gained huge popularity, and Leicester is not an exception. The main difference is that such bands usually arrange their favorite popular songs in a way that allows the singers to use these songs in rehearsals, which resemble music classes rather than singing classes. And if you prefer singing along to Fleetwood Mac rather than Fauré, you'll definitely find people just like you here.

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Sing Social: A Fresh, Relaxed Take on Choirs in Leicester

Now, here's where things get really exciting for anyone who has always fancied joining a choir but felt put off by the formality, the auditions, the sheet music, or the sheer commitment that many traditional choirs ask of you. Enter Sing Social, a modern singing group that is doing things a little differently and honestly, we think it's a breath of fresh air.

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All the features of Sing Social have been crafted in a way to make participants comfortable and relaxed, and most importantly to provide an enjoyable experience. In Sing Social there are no auditions, no sight reading and definitely no need to stand in a line waiting for your turn, while at the same time trying not to make a mistake. Sing Social assumes that singing is for everyone, not only for formally trained people and those who can read music sheets and, therefore, that gathering for singing must be perceived not as some rehearsal but as a party which one would gladly attend.

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The classes are relaxing and friendly and the underlying principle of Sing Social is the belief that music is best when shared with other people. Thus, the participants of Sing Social are sure to sing the pieces they are familiar with, but from the new perspective and accompanied by other singers equally enthusiastic and equally human-like. Sing Social welcomes people of any age and any background including both absolute beginners and those who used to sing in a choir and wish to get back to this activity.

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This kind of modern, social approach to group singing is relatively new but is growing fast, and it's easy to see why. Life is busy, and not everyone can commit to two rehearsals a week plus regular concerts and performances. Sing Social offers a way to get that wonderful feeling of making music with other people without it taking over your entire schedule. It sits beautifully in the landscape of choirs in Leicester as an option that fills a gap nobody quite knew was there until it arrived.

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But if you have been hesitating whether to go to a choir in Leicester or not since you did not know whether you were "good enough" or you feared to feel awkward in a different kind of a company, you should definitely give Sing Social a chance. This might be precisely what pushes you to start going to meetings and become a part of a community of like-minded people that enjoy singing.

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Which Choir in Leicester Should You Choose?

The answer to that question is simply determined by what you want from this experience. For example, if you desire to perform your very own rendition of Brahms Requiem to the whole hall, then Leicester Philharmonic Choir or De Montfort Singers would be the best choice for you. And if you are fond of gospel music, there are local gospel choirs in Leicester too. There are choirs in all styles and genres imaginable; however, if you only require a chance to come and just feel yourself singing in company, then Sing Social should be your number one choice among Leicester choirs. Sing Social symbolizes a new and fresh approach to group singing that may interest you greatly. Generally speaking, the most important thing here is not to miss the great chance and just sing. The singing world of Leicester is very welcoming and friendly, so it won’t take you long to enjoy yourself.

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