Supporting community choirs with Katie Geelan

06/11/24 • 26 min

Meet the Mancunian Podcast: social impact stories from Manchester

A warm Mancunian welcome to all my listeners. In the second episode, the Meet the Mancunian podcast talks to Katie Geelan, Choir Director, Bolton Cancer Voices, Bury Fire Choir and Encore Youth Fire Choir. Katie expands on her passion for supporting community choirs in Bolton.

Katie discusses the challenges and triumphs faced, including the recruitment of male singers and the impact of choir participation on community well-being. Katie also offers practical advice for anyone wishing to start their own community choir, emphasising the accessibility and mental health benefits of music. Tune in for an uplifting conversation that underscores the importance of community, music, and the power to inspire. At the end of the podcast, I play a segment of the Bury Fire Choir performance.

In Katie’s own words:

“I think, with a choir and this is what I say to my members. Obviously, we've got singers of all abilities. We don't audition. People don't have to read music. We are genuinely there for anybody who wants to come and sing, but every member makes up that choir.

And yes, it's me that stands at the front and fronts it, but it wouldn't be what it is without all the volunteers and the singers we have. Every single person makes up that choir and is there for the success of it.”

#CommunityChoirs #Music #GM #manchester #community #SocialImpact #NonProfit Hosted by Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe (https://www.instagram.com/meetthemancunian/).

Did you know:

· Choral singing can have a positive impact on mental well-being by releasing feel-good neurotransmitters and reducing stress hormones

· Joining a community choir creates a sense of camaraderie and belonging, diminishing feelings of loneliness and isolation

· Singing in a choir can boost confidence and personal growth through a supportive and encouraging environment

· Choral singing provides a healing and cathartic experience, allowing individuals to process and release emotions

· Choral singing is also a form of cognitive exercise, sharpening focus and enhancing mental agility

Key resources:

Bury Fire Choir

Encore Youth Fire Choir

Bolton Cancer Voices

Time stamps of key moments in the podcast episode & transcript:

(01:43) Introduction to Katie Geelan and Her Choirs

(01:53) The Genesis of a Community Choir

(02:17) Adapting to the Pandemic: The Birth of Bury Fire Choir

(03:05) The Role and Impact of a Choir Director

(03:40) Challenges and Triumphs in Choir Management

(05:52) The Power of Community and Music

(08:19) Advice for Starting a Community Choir

(09:23) Busting Myths and Sharing Successes

Listen to the episode and read the transcript on www.meetthemancunian.co.uk

In Katie’s own words:

#CommunityChoirs #Music #GM #manchester #community #SocialImpact #NonProfit Hosted by Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe (https://www.instagram.com/meetthemancunian/).

Did you know:

· Choral singing can have a positive impact on mental well-being by releasing feel-good neurotransmitters and reducing stress hormones

· Joining a community choir creates a sense of camaraderie and belonging, diminishing feelings of loneliness and isolation

· Singing in a choir can boost confidence and personal growth through a supportive and encouraging environment

· Choral singing provides a healing and cathartic experience, allowing individuals to process and release emotions

· Choral singing is also a form of cognitive exercise, sharpening focus and enhancing mental agility

Key resources:

Bury Fire Choir

Encore Youth Fire Choir

Bolton Cancer Voices

Time stamps of key moments in the podcast episode & transcript:

(01:43) Introduction to Katie Geelan and Her Choirs

(01:53) The Genesis of a Community Choir

(02:17) Adapting to the Pandemic: The Birth of Bury Fire Choir

(03:05) The Role and Impact of a Choir Director

(03:40) Challenges and Triumphs in Choir Management

(05:52) The Power of Community and Music

(08:19) Advice for Starting a Community Choir

(09:23) Busting Myths and Sharing Successes

Listen to the episode and read the transcript on www.meetthemancunian.co.uk

Previous Episode

Supporting community sports with Vicky McKinlay

A warm Mancunian welcome to all my listeners.

In the season premiere episode, the Meet the Mancunian podcast talks to Vicky McKinlay, Volunteer, Blackburn Harriers Athletics Club about her passion for supporting sports in the community. As a volunteer, Vicky is a coach, an official and a joint welfare official working with children in the age group 8-11 years in sports hall and competitions. She

shares her journey into supporting sports in the community, challenges, and the impact she has made. The episode explores the importance of volunteering, maintaining diverse sports activities for youth, and ensuring fairness and empathy in officiating. Tune in to be inspired and learn how you can contribute to your community.

In Vicky’s own words,” I love being part of the community. I love learning from other people. I like how everyone's a volunteer. It's a bit of a different feel than when you're in paid employment. Everyone wants to be there.”

#volunteering #GM #manchester #community #sports#SocialImpact #NonProfit Hosted by Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe (https://www.instagram.com/meetthemancunian/).

Did you know: It's Volunteers Week in the UK from 3-9 June. The focus is on celebrating the amazing contributions volunteers make to communities across the UK. Volunteering helps you create new skills and experiences and boosts your confidence. It also makes you feel good and improves your wellbeing.

Key resources:

Blackburn Harriers Athletics Club

Volunteering opportunities in Manchester

Time stamps of key moments in the podcast episode & transcript:

(01:20) Introduction to Vicky McInlay and Her Passion for Community Sports

(01:57) Discovering a Passion for Sports Through Family

(03:01) Volunteering Journey at Blackburn Harriers Athletics Club

(04:57) The Variety of Roles and Their Impact

(06:54) Challenges Faced in Supporting Athletes and Volunteering

(10:23) Making a Positive Impact in Athletics and Community

(15:09) Busting Myths About Sports and Volunteering

(18:59 )Advice for Starting a Community Sports Movement

(23:39) Reflecting on Personal Growth and Insights

Listen to the episode and read the transcript on www.meetthemancunian.co.uk

Next Episode

Supporting autism awareness with Charlie Michael Baker

A warm Mancunian welcome to all my listeners.

It's Autistic Pride Day on 18th June. The purpose of Autistic Pride Day is a uniquely autistic led initiative celebrating neurodiversity and the strengths of autistic individuals. It empowers the autistic community, promotes self-advocacy, and fosters a sense of pride and unity, challenging stereotypes and inspiring change.

In the third episode, the Meet the Mancunian podcast talks to Charlie Michael Baker, author about supporting autism awareness through his book Charlie Baker: Autism and me. Diagnosed with autism at a young age and overcoming bullying, Charlie shares his journey of writing the book, which has become a global success. Throughout the interview, Charlie discusses his personal experiences, the challenges faced by autistic individuals, and the impactful charitable contributions from his book's proceeds. He also addresses myths about autism and offers advice for those looking to start similar movements.

In Charlie’s own words:

“Autism, it basically means that you just think differently to other people. A neurodiverse person and a neurotypical person will look at the same things, but take different things away from that.

Autistic people see things differently to other people. It's not anything bad, obviously. Sometimes we struggle with friends, relationships and we just take different things away from different things, really.”

#Autism #Awareness #GM #manchester #community #SocialImpact #NonProfit Hosted by Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe (https://www.instagram.com/meetthemancunian/).

Did you know:

· Autism is a lifelong developmental disability which affects how people communicate and interact with the world.

· Over 1 in 100 people are on the autistic spectrum.

· There are over 700,000 autistic adults and children in the UK.

· Autistic people have difficulties with interpreting both verbal and non-verbal language like gestures or tone of voice.

· Some autistic people are unable to speak or have limited speech while other autistic people have very good language skills but struggle to understand sarcasm or tone of voice.

· Many famous people are thought to be on the spectrum

Key resources:

Charlie’s Instagram handle

National Autistic Society

Time stamps of key moments in the podcast episode & transcript:

(01:58) Introduction to Charlie Michael Baker

(02:11) Charlie's Journey with Autism

(02:58) The Inspiration Behind the Book

(03:11) Insights from 'Charlie Baker Autism and Me'

(03:35) Understanding Autism

(05:33) Challenges and Overcoming Them

(06:24) Writing and Publishing the Book