A Community Choir in Rural Aberdeenshire!
Notes from Torphins Community Choir was formed in early 2013 by a sulky mother who felt hard-done-by as her children were receiving all the musical opportunities and she wasn't!
Carole Elrick our founder and president was brought up playing music from an early age with musical parents. However, as the responsibilities of adulthood and being a parent took over her time, she found music had slipped from her priorities. As her children entered school and began coming home with recorders and showing an interest in playing piano, she wondered what she could do musically that she would have time for, and singing seemed the best option. She could sing in the car, in the shower, whilst ironing - it wouldn't take up too much time, would it? But all the local choirs were either singing church music or required auditions and travel to other towns and villages. So, thinking there was a gap to be filled by an informal choir in her own village, singing the kind of music she enjoyed, she approached her daughter’s then piano teacher, a young student of music and education, to find out if she knew of anyone who might be interested in working with her on the music side of a choir - if Carole looked after the organisation side of things - and Notes from Torphins was born!
What Is Notes All About?
From day one, we have tried as much as possible to be a democratic choir, with music, performances, social events, logos, dress code and even our name being chosen by our members. We have grown steadily from those early days from around 12 in number to an average turnout of about 40 each week, with over 70 members on our list.
We have performed at a range of events, from our local Christmas market & annual village Gala to being invited to Guild nights, 60th & 90th birthday parties and even a wedding! Recently, due to our physical size, we have taken the decision to hold our own performances rather than be invited to perform, so twice yearly we will perform a concert for charities of our choosing.
Our musical family includes a number of husband & wife teams as well as a sprinkling of mothers & daughters. Perhaps someday we may have a father & son combo...or even a complete Family Von Trapp! We have always tried to be inclusive, never requiring an audition (although we are happy to help in finding a suitable section for any voice), encouraging those who can’t read music as much as those who can. This we do safe in the gentle tutoring hands of our Musical Director Sara Bell, herself a music teacher at our local secondary school.
For Anyone With a Song in Their Heart!
Our aim is to provide a forum for anyone with a song in their heart to let it out and hopefully in the process, produce a sound that is pleasing to all, both singers and those listening. Our members range from age 17 to age 85, from all backgrounds in our locality. We turn away no one. Our ethos is to sing a range of music in a relaxed environment; always supported by laughter & cake!