As local singing collective The Impingtones celebrates its 10th birthday, founder Sue Lee looks back on her time with the group; hitting the high notes, lockdown lows and the enduring appeal of singing with friends.
When I retired in 2016 I looked for activities that would keep me busy. As I had belonged to a choir some years before I set about finding a local singing group I could join. I couldn’t find anything suitable and so with all the energy and vigour of a new retiree, I took on the challenge of setting up a new community choir in Histon & Impington.
With an enthusiastic choir director in place, we put out a call for interested people and met in the Red Lion pub.
Original member, Louise remembers her first meeting: “As one of the ‘originals’, I remember coming to the first choir meeting in the Red Lion. I’ve never forgotten the warm welcome and feel blessed to have had the choir in my life. It is a wonderful group to be part of.”
The first choir session took place in April 2016 and was attended by 17 people who wanted to sing with others. The Impingtones seemed an apt name, and a new community choir was born. I was keen for the choir to be friendly, inclusive and welcoming for all – something I felt was important above all else.
Over the years new members have commented on how friendly everyone was on their introduction to the choir, and how this helped to settle any nerves. We recognise that for some people it takes courage to walk through the door on that first evening and our aim is to always make sure they feel welcome.
COVID challenges
Members were increasing steadily and then COVID hit. We made an early decision to go online, as many choirs did, but quickly realised that singing collectively out loud, with all the issues around synchronisation, was not a good idea!
However, it preserved our choir community during multiple lockdowns, became a way of connecting with others, and something to look forward to every week in an otherwise empty diary. The first time we were able to meet in-person again (outside in the community orchard) was so joyful.
Member Jessie reflects on joining the choir: “I first came post-COVID…our chairs were placed well apart, the doors were open and we kept our coats on – but we sang! What a great thing to do together.”
Back on song
In 2022 we successfully applied for funding from the Histon & Impington Feast fund which enabled us to keep membership fees low while we got back on our feet. This enabled us to engage a pianist; something we felt was crucial for the choir’s development.
We recently celebrated our 10th anniversary, and the choir is still going strong with 75 members. Our success is down to many factors: Bridget Hardy, our choir director, brings enthusiasm, humour and expertise to the role; the committee is a dedicated group of volunteers who organise everything so that sessions run smoothly; our members are committed and enthusiastic and hopefully feel part of this special community that we’ve created together.
We are also accompanied on the piano by Derek who is an incredible musician, plus we meet in a fabulous space at Park Primary School, who have been very welcoming and supportive.
The science of singing
People often comment that they feel uplifted after a session, and research has shown that singing in a group can have beneficial physical effects such as increased lung capacity, and a positive effect on psychological wellbeing.
The neuroscience of singing is explored in Daniel Levitin’s recent book Music as Medicine in which he explores the science behind how music can change lives and improve health. He states that, ‘when we play an instrument (including singing), we are engaging more mental faculties than during almost any other activity: motor systems, motor planning, imagining, sensory feedback, coordination, emotions and auditory processing.’
The science may be interesting, but one thing we we already knew for certain was that singing with others just makes you feel good!
A lift for the spirits
Recent recruit Moya sums up her experience: “This is my second year in the Impingtones. Sometimes when I’ve had a busy day and don’t really feel like going, I go anyway and come home singing and pleased I made the effort to go. It really lifts my spirits!”
Expressing what it means to her, Louise explains how much she “values the mix of people who make up the choir” and shares how “it feels like an hour ‘off’ in the week that taps onto a different bit of my brain. All of life’s challenges as still there after choir but I’ve had a break and can face them with a bit more energy.”
Pauline and Steve have been members for just over a year and both really enjoy being a part of the choir. “We have found everybody friendly and welcoming”, they share. “Bridget’s style of teaching is particularly refreshing. We were looking for something relaxed and local to us, so The Impingtones fitted the bill nicely!”
See you at the Rec Centenary!
As I retire after 10 years as Chair of The Impingtones, I am so incredibly proud of the choir and everything we’ve achieved and delighted we were able to celebrate in style last week.
We are all really excited about the special choral concert we’ll be giving at the centenary event for the Rec on 28 June, when we will be singing an eclectic mix of music. Excitingly too, experienced mezzo-soprano, Bridget, will be performing some solos. We’ve come a very long way since those early days!
Find out more about the choir here. Get hold of tickets for The Impingtones 10th Anniversary choral Concert at the Centenary Festival here.
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