Meet the Choir

1. 

   Terry Walden

   Choir: Ottery
   Section: Tenor

   I joined La La in September 2021, pulled there by my wife, as I was a complete novice. I can’t read music, never sung in a choir but have enjoyed singing amongst friends.

   The family, that is La La, and Sam’s (awesome choir leader) style made me feel very welcome from the start. After a just a few weeks I was singing a Christmas concert in Exeter Cathedral.

   I couldn’t believe I ever had the ability or confidence to sing in front of 400 people (including family and friends) and here I was. Amazing.

   Free regular additional workshops have added skills I didn’t know I needed and just can’t wait to see what Sam’s leadership will enable me to achieve.

   A summary would be, a nervous wreck to an exhilarated singer with a fabulous group of people, in just 3 months. Wow.

2. 

   Simon Turrell

   Choir: Exmouth
   Section: Bass

   This is my third year as a member of the Exmouth bass “chapter” of La La. I’ve found singing with the choir to be both enjoyable and challenging – a winning combination. Apart from making some good friends with other choir members (both ladies & gentlemen), it’s been an opportunity to sing in public – a real boost to confidence.

   Hats off to Sam for all her hard work & dedication, particularly keeping La La going during the wilderness years of the pandemic.

3. 

   Cassie Leicester

   Choir: Exeter
   Section: Alto

   I was really anxious about joining a choir as I hadn’t been in one since Primary school. I had no idea what section I should be in and don’t read music. Sam instantly made me feel welcome as did the other choir members.

   Now it is the highlight of my week and I leave choir practice singing and buoyant. Sam is amazing, she will push you to be better but ultimately she just wants you to sing and have fun.

   Come along and try it. You will receive a warm welcome from everyone, have a giggle and sing some great songs.

4. 

   Les Watson

   Choir: Plymouth
   Section: Bass

   I joined La La almost immediately after I retired as my wife, Jocelyn (Alto), seemed to be having way too much fun every Monday evening and I had to see what was going on. After just a few weeks I had already settled in and was having a blast with the rest of “The Boys”. The ladies in the other sections are great and seem to put up with all of our mischief while we tune in to the new songs. I have never laughed so much each and every week, its the best two hours of the week, you should really come along and try it.

5. 

   John Green

   Choir: Ottery
   Section: Bass

   I loved singing in the shower (who doesn’t!). I had wanted to join a choir for ages but had a few requirements of any choir:
   – Would accept people who cannot read music (I cannot)
   – Not too formal/stuffy (I wanted it to be fun)
   – Covered a wide variety of music.
   Someone mentioned La La Choirs who met in Ottery St Mary. I went along and felt at home straight away. That was 4 years ago and I am still loving it.

   I have made some great friends in the choir. It’s a real tonic to sing with other like minded guys (and have a laugh). Outside of choir “the boys” also meet socially.

6. 

   Dillon Mitchell

   Choir: Exeter
   Section: Tenor

   My experience at Lala so far has been very positive! I’ve met people I wouldn’t usually meet and as a younger member of the Exeter choir, I hear random facts about old cars, the hand signals used in those old cars and all whilst doing one of my favourite hobbies. Sam is very charismatic, whilst everybody in your section helps you to feel welcome in the Choir!

7. 

   Judi Spiers

   Choir: Exeter
   Section: Tenor

   Every new song that comes along I swear I will never be able to learn and yet somehow my brain absorbs and remembers it like some dark art!!!

   This choir has brought joy into my life ..and so much fun at a time I really needed it. I bounce out of the class every week!

8. 

   Yvonne Melrose

   Choir: Exeter
   Section: Soprano

   I joined La La shortly after moving to Exeter. It didn’t take long before I knew that I was part of something special. Sam makes everyone feel welcome and whether you are a good singer or not she doesn’t mind, she just wants us all to enjoy singing together. All sessions are fun and we have lots of laughs, Sam is a very talented lady, a true professional. I am so pleased I discovered her choir.

9. 

   Sarah Cressall

   Choir: Exmouth
   Section: Alto

   La La choir makes me feel great! No matter how my week’s going, when I pop along to this super friendly and inclusive group, I always feel good afterwards. Everyone is welcoming and Sam entertains us all as well as helping us produce a few tunes! 

   Brilliant fun. Even if you don’t know anyone else going, you’ll soon make fab Friends. Thank you so much Sam for my weekly La La smiles 😀

10. 

    Jan White

    Choir: Exmouth
    Section: Soprano

    Lala is such fun, as well as a giving us a sense of achievement when we share our singing. The love and support from Sam, and the whole LaLa family is amazing!! Love, love love it!

11. 

    Kirstie Gregory

    Choir: Exeter
    Section: Alto

    La La has helped improve my confidence, my singing and I’ve made friends. Singing at La La definitely makes me feel good!

12. 

    Geoff & Doreen Hooper

    Choir: Ottery
    Section: Bass/Soprano

    We received a wonderful welcome from Sam and the Ottery St Mary group. Whatever else is happening in our lives, we know that Thursday evenings will be a time where we’ll sing, spend time in good company and laugh. We come home feeling full of enthusiasm and mentally refreshed.

    Sam personally gets to know each and every one of us and from day one you’re made to feel part of the ‘La La Family’.

13. 

    Claire Colman

    Choir: Exeter
    Section: Soprano

    I have sung in choirs most of my life, but when I had my daughter, Sophie, I didn’t have time or inclination. When Soph was about 13, I decided it was time to start singing again and was looking for a choir to join. None of them were really what I was looking for until I heard about a new choir starting up in Exeter, called La La Choirs. Soph decided she wanted to come with me, so we went to a taster session, and 11 years later I’m still there! La La is more than just a choir, it’s a family of lovely people and a joyful time every Tuesday.

14. 

    Keith & Jane Clay

    Choir: Plymouth
    Section: Bass/Alto

    “You don’t have to be a good singer to join La La and Jane is definitely proof of this – La La has given her the confidence to perform in public which she strongly enjoys doing. Keith.”

15. 

    Janet Caudrelier

    Choir: Exmouth
    Section: Soprano

    In a nutshell, I love singing with La La choir because it’s not posh and stuffy, and we make a very decent noise altogether…oh and it really makes you feel so happy to ‘sing your socks off!’

16. 

    Emma Horrill

    Choir: Exeter
    Section: Alto

    I had never been able to find an outlet for my love for singing, finding La La was just brilliant! From the very first night I attended, I felt like I belonged. La La is open to absolutely everyone, and not having to sing on your own/no-audition is such a great selling point. I always tell people all you need is a love of singing and a good sense of humour! We sing, we laugh (we have a sneaky gossip) and I always go home bouncing off the walls, the best natural high you could ask for!

17. 

    Jayne Ford

    Choir: Exeter
    Section: Alto

    Not only do I come home feeling totally uplifted every week, I have made amazing new friends over the last five years since joining the LaLa family. I really enjoy the challenge of learning the lovely new songs and Sam makes learning easy and fun, and although I’m no great singer I think we all sound pretty amazing when it all comes together !