Govanhill Voices sing songs in community languages including Yoruba, German, Dutch and Romani. They’re an inclusive group, where everyone is welcome to join and find joy in communal singing.

By David Carr | Photos by Audrey Bizouerne

I was never a singer. I only went to chum along a friend. But it was love at first song.

At Govanhill Voices we value everyone’s voice. The choir has some experienced singers – but also welcomes the contribution of those who might not always hit the right note every time. I was firmly in that category when I joined – and it was a relief for me to find that I had joined an all-abilities choir. With the encouragement of songleaders and other choir members, I have begun to find my own voice. Everyone can sing, even if they don’t yet know it.

We are a pay-what-you-can choir. It is written into our constitution – the ‘David Stevenson Clause,’ named after a long standing choir member who sadly passed away in 2019 – that we will never charge a fee for singing and will rely on our singers’ donations for costs such as hire of our rehearsal space and payment of a songleader. It is a matter of principle that people will always be welcomed to sing with us even if they cannot afford to pay.

Everyone is welcome to sing with us. It’s how we vibe.

Music is – of course – central to Govanhill Voices. But we value community equally. We have strong ties within Govanhill, the wider Southside and beyond. The choir has performed at many local venues, including the Govanhill Baths, the Govanhill Community Market, the Queens Park Arena – and carolling along Victoria Road at Christmas time. Our recent tenth birthday concert was a benefit for local social enterprise, Milk. We are a proud part of the rich and diverse community that is Govanhill.

We are also our own community. The connections we make while singing are vital. Our tea breaks are an institution, and it gives joy to hear our singers chatting away, to see them forming friendships, to witness them actively welcoming new voices into the choir. People come for the singing. They stay for the community.

Songleader Dorothee Nys is the creative spirit that draws the choir together musically. She speaks of the choir’s ‘“warm, rich, united and welcoming tone”. The songs reflect this. “We love indulging in soft and mellow harmonies – though some clashing is not feared either. She goes on to say that the music we sing”is as diverse and fabulous as the choir members themselves.”

Our songs are usually from folk traditions and are in a mix of languages – such as Yoruba, German, Dutch, Romani – plus newer favourites by Fleet Foxes, Sinéad O’Connor and Björk. The music is learned by listening and trusting our memory. Each choir member can choose which part they join. According to Dorothee, it should be, “Whichever makes them and their singing voices as comfortable and happy as possible.”

Choir member Sofie says she joined us: “After a long period of being so against any performance or enjoyment of that shared space you have while singing, because of various mental health issues. It has truly transformed my life and mindset. I find it so freeing, it is such a caring and fun space. You can just feel the love in that room.” Sofie’s favourite Govanhill Voices song is the Roma festival song, Ederlezi: “I love the harmonies and rhythms and layers.”

A Yoruba song, Ide Were Were, is Martin’s favourite because: “It seems to generate a real warmth and calm amongst us.” He joined the choir as we emerged, post-lockdown, still rehearsing in the cold outdoors. He says: “I met fantastic, friendly people who welcomed me into an environment which is safe, supportive and encouraging. This has been great for my sense of wellbeing.”

“What a wonderful discovery Govanhill Voices was!” says Judith, who came to Glasgow not so long ago. “I love the harmonic tunes, our motivating songleader and most of all the kind and welcoming crowd I meet there every week.” Her favourite is Liverpool Street Station, a song in which hidden words emerge when sung in rounds “because of the magic.”

As for myself – sometimes, in the dreich, dark winter nights I have to drag myself to rehearsals. But music is known to light up all parts of the brain and it releases endorphins. I walk out happy. My favourite song? Sinéad O’Connor’s In This Heart. There’s a delicious moment when the altos come in that sends shivers down my spine, every time.

2023 finds us excited and amazed. Ten years in, Govanhill Voices has had a sudden influx of singers over the last few months and we’re not really sure why. Maybe it’s because we’re making beautiful music with our talented songleader. Maybe it’s because we’re just so lovely. Do you want to be a part of that? You can. Come sing with us!

Govanhill Voices rehearse every Thursday at Queens Park Govanhill Church of Scotland (‘The Yellow Door Church’) from 7.15pm to 9pm, with a break for tea and chat. All are welcome.