Launch of new choir is far from mission impossible for Burnley composer and teacher

A passion for music has inspired a Burnley composer, performer and teacher to launch a choir that anyone can join.
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The Impossible Choir is the brainchild of Chris Bridges who sees music as the perfect way to bring people together who love to sing any song in their own way.

There is no audition and no musical expectations and the choir will sing songs that everyone knows along with many new songs and Chris promises The Impossible Choir will also create something amazing of its own.

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Chris, who will encourage and cajole the choir while accompanying on the piano. said: "Singing is a great life skill and singing as part of a group is an amazing way to get an instant feel-good factor, with lasting mental and physical health benefits.

Composer, performer and teacher Chris Bridges, the man at the helm of The Impossible Choir, with Helen, his wife and fellow musician.Composer, performer and teacher Chris Bridges, the man at the helm of The Impossible Choir, with Helen, his wife and fellow musician.
Composer, performer and teacher Chris Bridges, the man at the helm of The Impossible Choir, with Helen, his wife and fellow musician.

"During the sessions we will look at breathing, posture, diction and voice projection, all of which enable us to feel good and confident. "

The choir was due to hold its first rehearsal last week but it was postponed due to pandemic.

So Chris and his wife Helen had to hold their own rehearsal at home with their performance of the quirky song I Want to Be Happy by Vincent Youmans.

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The future base for all rehearsals and performances will be at The Gallery at Creative Arts in Burnley's lower St James Street, a fabulous new event space for artists and a great line up of bands, musicians and events.

Aiming to become Burnley's equivalent to Manchester's hip Northern Quarter Gallery at Creative Arts will provide the perfect showcase for the choir which will be joined, on given dates, by students from the music department at Burnley College for a 'Big Impossible Band' session.

Chris is the music teacher at Ridgewood Community High School, where he works hard to give pupils of all abilities every possible opportunity for learning and performing music.

He performs regularly with The Night Creatures, 52 Skidoo and Baked a la Ska, as well as writing for Cusp Quartet with guitarist Keith Phillips.

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His other composition work has included music for his own story, I Have a Duck Who Can Roar, which was commissioned by the Marsden Jazz Festival in Huddersfield.

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