singforfunexeter News For further details please email: for.everyoung@hotmail.co.uk
2012 News
Feb
Successfully sailed through the first five years and now into the sixth. New songs, new faces and the same fun time being had on Monday nights. SING SHOW SONGS evening in Exeter on Wednesday 14th March - website http://singshowsongs.yolasite.com/ Hope to hear you one Forever Young Sing for Fun on a Monday night .
2011
Dec
Singing solidly since September - still sounding smashing! Thank you to all the singers who have come along on a Monday night and raised the roof at St Sidwell's School. I'm not sure if we can sound much better but I know it is just as much fun as it was when we first started. Highlights have included the Christmas 'Do' at the Thatched House (excellent once again) followed by singing at the Civil Service Club. Many thanks to all the 'Forever Youngsters' who did a 'turn'. Hoping to have some new backing music for 2012. Hope to hear you one Monday night.
July
Over 400 backing tracks and nearly all have been sung at some point this year. Some clear favourites eg. Take That 'The Flood' and Adele. Now in its fifth year, Forever Young is living up to its name and the two hours fly by each week. Another great 'do' at The Blue Ball and, as usual thanks to the 'turns' for making it another memorable night. After the August break we sing again in early September. If you have yet to try singing for fun it maybe just the thing for you.
Jan
Only the weather stopped the singing just before Christmas. Earlier in the month Forever Youngsters enjoyed a brilliant evening at the Thatched House followed by singing at the Civil Service club (thank you to the 'turns'). New backing tracks for 2011 so come and join in the fun.
2010 News
Oct
A busy time for FY...new singers, part of a new feature in the Express and Echo and an evening event for the Exeter Autumn Festival..plus the Christmas 'do'. The Express ad Echo piece is here plus some of the pictures. The Festival event in November will give all a chance to be 'forever young' for a few hours and the Christmas 'do' should encourage the 'turns' to perform on the stage at the Civil Service club...and the weekly sessions sound better and better...written mid October.
Sept
'Singing makes me feel a lot happier', and '...singing is cheaper than therapy and more fun', are just some of the comments that people make after singing. With those thoughts in mind it came as no surprise that Forever Youngsters were eager to start a new session following the summer break. Thanks to the mosquito bites, acquired on our hols, we were itching our way through Abba, Johnny Cash and Dusty Springfield and only found peace when 'Ave Maria' burst forth (to tell the truth most singers only knew the 'chorus') but, as always, it was fun. With much to look forward to, including the Exeter Autumn Festival and our Christmas 'do', Monday nights are back. Hope to hear you soon. Written early September 2010.
Apr-July
Despite the lure of outside activites and the brilliant weather, FY songsters are regularly rattling the windows with their scintilating sounds. 'New York New York' maybe thousands of miles away but it often flies around St Sidwell's school hall chased by dozens of voices! Another great Summer 'Do' in July - this time at the Blue Ball and a new fotoes page. Will probably rest over August and re-invent ourselves in September. If you fancy (probably the best community sing-for-fun evening in Exeter) having a go... then hope to see you on a Monday night, 7-9pm. Written July 2010
Jan-Mar
Already at the end of March and we now have hundreds of new backing tracks...our regular Monday nights are going well and the Foreveryoungsters are trying hard to lift the roof at St Sidwell's School with their singing. Hard to believe we are in our fourth year and looking forward to welcoming you to our next session.
2009 News
End of the year
More people than ever have enjoyed singing for fun throughout 2009. We had many 'songsters' join in the fun in November as part of the Exeter Autumn Festival. Some have continued and joined us in the successful 'Christmas Do' held at the Civil Service Club.... Thank you to all who have sung and helped to keep Forever Young going. Looking forward to our third singforfun anniversary at the end of January 2010. Written end of Dec. 2009
September and 唱的乐趣 ...
We cranked up the machines and set forth upon another singing adventure at St Sidwell's School...the rusty voices were soon 'oiled' as the familiar sounds of "Mamma Mia" echoed around the hall. The brave souls were "Forever Young" again and we ended with "Don't stop me now". Thank you to the assembled voices, including newcomers who all enjoyed the moment...also thanks to the Express & Echo photographer Laurence Underhill who 'snapped us up' Have also heard that 'Sing for Fun with Forever Young' is to be part of the Exeter Autumn Festival 2009 and will hold a festival evening on Monday 9th Nov. Written early Sept. 2009
Summertime and the......
Lots of things going on including an event at the Exmouth Festival on Tuesday 26th May, 7-9pm at Withycombe Primary School.
On most Monday evenings the roof is raised at St Sidwell's School, Exeter. 19 new backing tracks have been introduced including, "I could have danced all night", "Jailhouse Rock", "Stayin' alive" and "Rule the World".
If you fancy joining in - just come along - age range is from mid 20's to over 60's with most aged 40s to 50's (although they haven't told us!).
Forever Young Sing for Fun is also having another 'Do' at the Globe Hotel, Topsham on Monday 18th May 7-11pm, singing, eating and more singing. We're expecting some Forever Youngsters will also do a 'turn' in the cabaret.
Hope to hear you soon. Written early May 2009
Express and Echo Saturday, February 28, 2009
Birthday gives city group plenty of reasons to sing
IT'S birthday time for Exeter's community singing-for-fun group, Forever Young, which is still quite young at two years old. 17 people went to the first session in January, 2007, and now regularly raise the roof at St Sidwell's School on Mondays from 7pm until 9pm. The group, named after the Bob Dylan song, Forever Young, was started by Dave McGeorge, from Stoke Hill, Exeter. He said: " There are many different types of singing groups in the Exeter area and we have found that some people join two or three different groups. "Others just like the informal atmosphere and the fact that there are no rehearsals and no need to read music as the words are projected on the wall." The group attracts people from Exeter, Sidmouth, Exmouth, Teignmouth and North and East Devon. Most evenings around 30 songs are sung. Some people go just once a month, others are weekly regulars. Dave said: "There is a wide range of music from the 1940s to the present day including Nat King Cole, The Beatles, Abba and Take That." New singers are welcome. For details go along on a Monday or email for.everyoung@hotmail.co.uk.
Wednesday nights in Topsham
Singers hit the high notes in the Topsham School as a new forever young sing for fun evening began on Wednesday 28th January. This was the first session and a photographer from the Exmouth Journal took a few pictures as the new group raised the roof with the first song, 'Mamma Mia'. All of the 26 songs that were sung in the evening were chosen by the singers (see all the backing music) and the session ended with another Abba favourite, 'Thank you for the music'. Positive comments were received as people were leaving and we look forward to the Wednesday evening becoming a regular event in Topsham. Written January 2009
Express and Echo Monday, January 19, 2009
Town gets its own singalong
A community singing session will be held in Topsham later this month. Organisers have stressed you don't have to be a great vocalist to join in a Forever Young Sing for Fun session, which takes place on Wednesday, January 28. The group, named after the Bob Dylan song Forever Young, was set up in January 2007 by Dave McGeorge. He said: "We used to sing with our families at home and thought we would see whether it would work doing it with other people." "Two years later it has gone from strength to strength. This will be the first time the evening has been held outside Exeter and we're hoping it will become a regular event in Topsham. People of all abilities are welcome."
The event will be held at Topsham School in Orchard Way, which has parking.
On the evening, every member chooses a backing track from a list of 150 songs. This list has been built up by singers over the past two years as they have requested their favourite songs.
Mr McGeorge added: "We had singing for fun sessions during the Exeter Autumn Festival and we were asked to hold the sessions in other venues outside Exeter. We decided on Topsham as the school is a good setting and it's close to Exmouth, Sidmouth and East Devon."
People are welcome to turn up on the night. The session is from 7pm to 9pm.
2008 NEWS
Singing in Exeter thru' to 2009
Through November Forever Young Sing for Fun are enjoying the weekly sessions in Exeter with people raising the roof each week. The Exeter Autumn Festival sessions saw singers raise the roof at St Sidwell's School. December highlight is the third 'do' at the Globe in Topsham. Singers have a great night out with singing and food from 7-11:30. The high point of the evening has to be the 'cabaret' with quizes, 'turns', jokes and solo songs from some of the singers. Bernard and Rena top the evening off by producing some fine 'photos.
Written December 2008
Sing in Exeter in September and October
After the brief summer break Sing for Fun were all glad to be singing for fun with Forever Young at St Sidwell's School, Exeter. More singers have joined in and voices are heard on Monday evenings. Why not come along? The new songs are proving really popular and many are sung each week. Have now introduced a seldom-selected-song to bring back some rarely sung numbers.
Great news...we are included in the programme for the Exeter Autumn Festival. Getting more interest due to the publication of the festival programme. Bernard has been busy arranging another social in December at the Globe, Topsham.
Written 24th October 2008
July and the Singing is Hot
Coming to the end of July and Forever Youngsters take a break in August. Tuesday sessions have now ended following a 3 month trial. New singers enjoyed the Tuesday experience and many now come to the Monday sessions. Sorry to disappoint those who can't come on Mondays and thank them for their company. Monday sessions go from strength to strength. People now sing regularly. Trips out have included another great night eating and singing at The Globe, Topsham and another evening at the Exmouth Pavillions. Thank you Bernard for organising these fun times. We have applied to be part of the Autumn Exeter Festival and await the decision. 30 new songs chosen by the Forever Youngsters to be ready for the new sessions starting early September. Hope to see you there.
Written 24th July 2008
Mondays and now...Tuesdays
At the end of April a new Tuesday sing for fun session began. It was well attended with positive comments from the singers. It is hoped that Tuesday will become a regular evening as well as the popular Monday sessions.
Written April 2008
One year forever young
In December '07 Forever Young enjoyed a great evening out at the Globe Hotel, Topsham to celebrate Christmas...lots of good food, singing and a glass of something refreshing. We also saw a colleague 'performing' at the Exmouth Pavillions in The Full Monty - another great night out (resisting the urge to make further comments).
The end of January '08 and the birthday candle burned bright as FY celebrated their first birthday with pizza and song. Singers now trying to shake the roof tiles each week...
End of Feb and singers choose 19 new songs (click on the 'Backing Music' link above).
Written Feb 2008
2007 NEWS
Express & Echo Feature - 01 October 2007
ENJOYMENT OF SINGING IS BETTER THAN ANY THERAPY can be read by clicking on the 'Q&A' link above.
Singing thru' the summer
August 2007 - We've managed to sing each month...even in August...admittedly only once on Monday 13th but hot beaches and cold drinks (or hot drinks and cold beaches) have drawn most of us away. However... we resume on Monday September 10th with new members and new backing tracks - around 25 - chosen by singers. Songs from Little Eva to the Stereophonics via Abba and Amy Whitehouse...eclectic or what!
Why not join us one Monday evening..
Written in August 07
July 2007 - We have met nearly every week since January. To-date there have been enquiries mainly from the Gumtree webpage, posters around Exeter, emails and word-of-mouth.
St Sidwell's School is a great venue, central, with parking and brand new facilities.
So far 28 people have sung at least once and around 10 sing regularly. Ages range from mid 20's to late 50's with average around mid 40's. Singers pay £3:50 each week to hire the hall and build a kitty to buy more backing tracks.
Singers have chosen around 55 backing tracks and they choose around 20 each week.
Among the many positive comments this one sums up the evening, "This is cheaper than therapy and more fun!"...
Written June/July 2007
First meeting
February 2007 - 19 people arrived for the first session at St Sidwell's School 29th January. Went very well - good fun and lots of singing. After filling in a short survey about songs-you-like-to-sing the roof was raised with singing. Express and Echo carried 2 stories about Forever Young and 16 people came along for the second session in February. People are begining to suggest other songs to sing and 21 songs were sung on the second session. Great venue and great singing. Come and join in...
Written Feb/March 2007
A new year and away we go
January 2007 - The communications are working and the interest is growing. Thank you for getting in touch. We are now contacting venues and the first impression is bad and good. Bad in that it is going to take longer than we thought to find somewhere and good in that the people of Exeter are out there filling the halls and meeting rooms...just annoying they are doing it on the same nights and times when we want to!
Received a communication from the Express & Echo who are interested in our activities. Hope they can do a piece and interest others.
Success... the good people at St Sidwell's Primary School have kindly agreed to us using their fantastic Hall. You'll love it and its in Exeter.
So it looks as if Forever Young will sing in Exeter, for fun, on Monday 29th January 7pm-9pm.
Can't wait...see you there.
Written Jan 2007
2006 NEWS
Replies and venues
December 2006 - Great to hear from you. Thanks to the communications so far there has been sufficient signs of life out there for us to think that this idea - to sing with others in Exeter - may not just be our idea of fun.
We think we need 10 people to start off Forever Young. So far the signs are good and now the festive season is on us can't think there will be much interest until 2007.
So..the aim is to find somewhere in Exeter to hold the first meeting by the end of January.
Hope to see you there.
Communication, communication and communication
November 2006 - The search for singers in Exeter is on. Are you out there? Just because we enjoy singing for fun to great backing tracks to songs by Barry White, The Stranglers and Andy Williams are we daft to think others might do the same?
Well there is only one way to find out so let the communications begin.
Posters are being designed and crafted by us in the vague hope that they will stand out from the crowd and attract your attention.
The good people at Exeter's Performing Arts Library, Royal Albert Museum and Picture House have kindly allowed us to put up a poster. Have you seen them and what do you think?
As well as this website we have an entry on the Exeter Gumtree site...http://exeter.gumtree.com/exeter/community_1355_1.html
Other poster venues, people to talk to and ideas to communicate are being worked on as you read this.
Email Dial/emma
October 2006 - Forever Young Sing in Exeter - but without an email address the sound may be muted.
No doubt, those of you who have had brainwaves, and found the ideal name for your company, group or organisation, will sympathise with those good people at Forever Young.
They found the perfect name to describe their sing-for-fun with a backing track in Exeter. But... all available Forever Young dot com, dot org, dot co, dot dot dot...email addresses had been taken. We mean..it's not a popular title is it? And who first thought of it? Can't believe Bob Dylan was the first to use the phrase...do you know?
After much thrashing of the keyboard and umpteen Internet pages later we decided to keep the name and be subtle. We mean...if you're wanting to send an email - it is 'for' somebody, right?
So...for.everyoung@hotmail.co.uk encapsulates the essence (or is it escence...or esense or even 'e'sense!) of the thing that the good people at Forever Young are trying to get over.
The thing is that if you sing-in-exeter with Forever Young it will make you feel... for everyoung!
Amazing
So simple
