Alvin M. Keeling 
The members of the Ferguslie Park Community Choir are in great voice preparing for their next concert.
The Community Choir started in 2018 and was created to promote good mental health and physical well-being as well as to increase connections between people.
It was originally funded by the Church of Scotland and run from St Ninian’s parish hall, but is now established and funded by the Tannahill Center in Ferguslie Park, Paisley.
The choir is led by Jenny Cheung who conducts a variety of choirs for all ages in the greater Glasgow area under the banner of Voice Project Scotland. The project exists to allow everyone to find their voice and join a community of singers.
Bobbie McCabe, Volunteer Coordinator at Tannahill Centre, said: “Everything is taught word by word, note by note and the members are amazed every week at how good they sound together.
“We love performing in the local community, as well as participating in larger events with the other choirs in the Voice Project network.
“Our next performance will be on Saturday March 19 at Cathcart Trinity Church in South Glasgow.
“Here we’ll be using music from the movies, including a mix of Sister Act and Bohemian Rhapsody.”
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Being part of the choir is more than singing. Current members have described the positive impact singing has on their mental health as well as a sense of connection.
Ann said: “Singing lifts my spirits. I don’t work on Mondays and often the choir is the only thing that gets me out of the house.
“Every week after we practice, I see each of us smiling. You can’t help it, it’s so uplifting!
Fellow choir member Stuart said, “I love the Ferguslie Park Community Choir. Among the many reasons why I like it is the fact that it had been a while since I had sung when I was young, and I had forgotten the pleasure that one can receive and give. by participating with strangers who would become friends over the weeks.
“I had also forgotten how singing all kinds of songs literally lifts my spirits, helping me focus differently at the start of the week.
“This is especially true when it comes to my own mental health and the weird depressed days I experience, especially during the dark days of winter.”
The choir meets every Monday from noon to noon at the Tannahill Center to sing a variety of well-known contemporary songs. There is no audition and members do not need any previous experience to join.
All are invited to accompany and join in the singing.
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