THE Royal Opera House offers everyone who loves to sing an opportunity to find or develop their voice at the end of June when it presents FUSED: the Thurrock Choral Festival. Following the successful launch of the festival last year, FUSED returns for two days of singing, from opera to beatbox on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 June at the London Cruise Terminal in Tilbury.
FUSED is for anyone who has ever wanted to sing but felt afraid to try. It is for those who would love to join a choir but do not feel their voice is good enough. It’s for experienced singers too who would like to learn new techniques or styles. FUSED is for everyone who just loves singing and it offers a world of music waiting for everyone to enjoy.
Over two days, expert coaches and singers will run workshops in a huge range of different singing styles: from choral singing to beat-boxing, from gospel to opera. The workshops are suitable for beginners or experienced singers and some are open to children.
On Saturday 29 June, the festival has a community focus and all are welcome. Workshops on offer include an Introduction to Opera, an Introduction to Sight Reading Music, World Music and many others. Workshops cost £3 and can be booked through the Royal Opera House Box Office on 020 7304 4000 or online at www.roh.org.uk/fused.
At 7.30pm, the Royal Opera House Thurrock Community Chorus performs in concert with other vocal groups from around Thurrock including: Thurrock Choral Society, Golden Voices, a Barbershop Quartet and more! Concert tickets are £8, concessions £6. Tickets can be purchased from the Royal Opera House Box Office on 020 7304 4000 or online at www.roh.org.uk/fused.
On Sunday 30 June, young voices have a chance to gain valuable experience working with professional singers and chorus leaders in workshops for the male voice, the female voice, beatboxing and rap. The workshops cost from £1 and are open to all young people aged from 9 – 25 years. A session of future vocal leaders is open to all ages.
RM19, the Royal Opera House Thurrock Youth Singing Group will make one of their first public appearances in a concert on Sunday evening at 6pm. The concert will include other young groups from across Thurrock such as Creative Blast and Karis’s Angels.
Tickets for the concert are £8, concessions £6. Tickets can be purchased and workshops can be booked through the Royal Opera House Box Office on 020 7304 4000 or online at www.roh.org.uk/fused.
FUSED takes place at the Tilbury Riverside Arts and Activity Centre and the London Cruise Terminal. Workshops run from 11am. Refreshments will be available to purchase throughout the day. Food stalls and a bar will be available prior to the concerts.
Following FUSED, the Royal Opera House Thurrock Community Chorus holds a Men Only taster session on Monday 1 July at the High House Production Park at 7.30pm. The Thurrock Community Chorus is friendly, lively and dedicated. Recruitment takes place only occasionally. This is a great opportunity to discover an absorbing hobby, meet new friends and uncover a hidden talent.
For more information on FUSED, RM19 or the Royal Opera House Thurrock Community Chorus, please email getinvolved@roh.org.uk or call 01708 891200.
YT popped down to the RM19 group as they were rehearsing on Saturday afternoon. They had the benefit of being tutored by the engaging and charismatic, Dominic Peckham, who is the artistic director of the ROH youth ensemble.
