We are a mixed voice choir that rehearses in High Wycombe. We usually put on three concerts a year in the High Wycombe area; one at Easter, one in July and our popular Christmas Concert in December. Our repertoire is wide ranging covering baroque to modern multi-part music. Our Musical Director, David Cooke, always manages to come up with interesting and unusual items.
The Choir has its roots back in 1951 when it was formed as the Wycombe Free Church Choir. Always a substantial mixed choir, it soon developed a reputation for excellence under its then Director, Kenneth Fox. In the 1970's he handed over to Denys Hood who directed the choir for some 30 years. He expanded our repertoire to include folksongs, spirituals and light music as well as classical works. During this time the choir's name changed to the Wycombe Philharmonic Choir. David Cooke has led the choir since 2003 after Denys retired, further expanding our repertoire.
Why Join a Choir?
We would love you to come and sing with us. There are so many wonderful things about singing together in a group.
We’ve looked at some research which talks about the benefits: https://www.ox.ac.uk/research/choir-singing-improves-health-happiness-%E2%80%93-and-perfect-icebreaker
This research was written up by Jacques Launay, Post-doctoral researcher in Experimental Psychology at University of Oxford.
The main points were these:
Choirs are not just for singing in church, even though that’s where our own choir originated (see our History tab).
The rise of popularity of singing in choirs is growing across the country, thanks in part to the wonderful Gareth Malone, and other movements such as Rock Choir, Popchoir etc.
Why is it so good for us?
It brings really effective bonding for larger groups, and promotes good social networking.
- Singing really exercises the brain, which is always good. It also promotes good posture, breathing and muscle tension.
- It can help pain relief, by releasing β-endorphins.
- It can boost your immune system, by releasing more A-antibodies and reducing the stress hormone cortisol.
- It has been shown to help people with dementia too.
- Singing really supports happiness and well-being (by release of dopamine).
We know we all feel so great after we come out of rehearsals, for all these reasons.
Music and singing is such a strong human experience, not only through the ages and development of the human species but also across all cultures in the world.
Have I convinced you yet? Come and sing with us and feel great! We are a small but very friendly choir. No audition necessary. We use rehearsal tracks to help us remember the music, so it’s not essential to read music, though of course it will help you if you do.
Contact us via the option on the website or email: info@wycombephil.org.uk
