{"id":198783,"date":"2026-09-07T06:23:09","date_gmt":"2026-09-07T06:23:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/198783\/"},"modified":"2026-09-07T06:23:09","modified_gmt":"2026-09-07T06:23:09","slug":"the-choir-who-proudly-admit-they-cannot-sing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/198783\/","title":{"rendered":"The choir who proudly admit they cannot sing"},"content":{"rendered":"

Eight years ago, Diane Chapman placed an advert in a local paper for choir members but there was one unusual stipulation.<\/p>\n

“If you can’t sing, come and join my choir,” the notice read.<\/p>\n

“I put out 15 chairs that night,” said 60-year-old Diane, who admits she was unsure if anyone would turn up.<\/p>\n

“I didn’t think we’d fill them… then 55 people came.”<\/p>\n

“Just because you can’t, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t” is now the motto at the Off-Key Choir in Southport on Merseyside.<\/p>\n

Every Wednesday, Diane brings together almost 80 people, none of whom believe they can sing in order to sing their hearts out.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Diane and Byron Chapman are the founding members of Off Key Choir in Southport [BBC]<\/p>\n

One of those who read the advert was 79-year-old Joy Garvin, who had just lost her husband.<\/p>\n

She comes to the singing session to defy her sons.<\/p>\n

“My boys say to me ‘mum stop singing, you sound like Hilda Ogden’,” she said.<\/p>\n

“I’ve made so many friends. I’ve never looked back. I just love every minute of it.<\/p>\n

“I have a group of close friends here now, we call ourselves the ‘Choir Girls’ and we’re out together all the time.”<\/p>\n

Sheila Byne, 75, used to make a 60-mile round trip to join in, travelling on four trains and four buses.<\/p>\n

Eventually, she sold up and bought a house in the town as she loved the choir that much.<\/p>\n

“Even though we can’t sing, I just love it,” she said.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Sheila Byne moved house due to her love of the choir [BBC]<\/p>\n

For Debbie Laker Rothwell, the choir has also been a much-needed support group.<\/p>\n

“My health is not so good and I’ve lost a few of my cat lives this year and the choir’s really been there for me,” she said.<\/p>\n

“It’s just so much fun. So what, we can’t sing, we can’t dance, but nobody cares.<\/p>\n

“You know when they say sing and dance as if no one’s watching? That’s exactly what we do.”<\/p>\n

Diane and her husband Byron put the choir on every week for free at West Lancashire Yacht Club, only taking subs to cover the cost of a hall hire and a tub of sweets.<\/p>\n

“Why should not being able to do something stand in your way, whatever it is,” she said.<\/p>\n

“I can’t bake and I can’t dance and I can’t sing, but I do it anyway.<\/p>\n

“Why should we be denied the endorphin rush that comes with singing together, just because we can’t?<\/p>\n

“It’s joyous, and you never know what adventures and what opportunities might come along if you do.”<\/p>\n

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds<\/a> and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook<\/a>, X<\/a>, and Instagram<\/a>. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.<\/p>\n

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