You don’t have to be able to sing well – or sing at all. You just have to enjoy singing and socialising to come along to the library and join the Sing It Happy Choir.

Stella Watson, a local singer and voice coach who moved to Barrow over a decade ago (with her partner David), responded to a request for a “day choir for people who don’t like going out at night” but flexible working patterns means that she has welcomed all sorts of people into the choir. Some come along regularly, others just now and then. One mum brings her children along; another person has general learning difficulties but loves singing and meeting other people. Stella hopes that soon her son, Oscar, will be old enough to join in, though he’s only two at the moment!

Stella has a music degree, and post graduate qualifications in general teaching and specialised vocal teaching and you may have heard her, recently, on BBC Radio Leicester. She has specialised in inclusive singing for wellbeing and recently completed some training on the benefits of singing on helping the breathing and posture of those with long Covid.

Stella has evening choirs in Loughborough and Wanlip but her Barrow choir is held in the library every other Tuesday morning. Their songs are very mixed; sometimes
she has a 1960s week, other times it will be an ‘80s or ‘90s week. She’s recently held an Autism Acceptance Week – all sessions are aimed at being inclusive and fun with a quick break for socialising.

There is no pressure to attend every session and no pressure to perform. Stella says everyone is welcome – whether you are an amateur singer or a non-singer – just come along and join in.

Karisa Krcmar

To find out more about when the choir meets, get in touch with Stella at: contact@singithappy.co.uk