BEHIND the scenes in meeting spaces, social clubs and halls all over the north west people from all walks of life are transforming into singers.

Around 260 people have joined Popvox’s five choirs, including one in the town which recently launched at Warrington Town FC. Emma Nowell started Popvox six years ago as a way to pass on her experience as a singer and performer.

The 33-year-old is best known as a former children’s presenter for Hi-5. But before that she played Linda in Blood Brothers in the West End and touring productions and was a backing singer for Westlife and at the Eurovision Song Contest.

She said: “I decided to use my professional experience to try and create a fun, friendly pop choir. Across the other choirs we’ve got about 260 members so we’re hoping to grow Warrington and get out and about to all the main festivals.”

Currently the weekly Warrington group has a small but dedicated group of 30 members. Emma, who lives in Wirral, attends the Warrington sessions every other week while the main teacher is Lucy Smethurst, who has previously been a vocalist for Disney Cruise Line.

She added: “The Warrington group are amazing singers. They are rocking it out every Wednesday evening for us. We’re just looking to grow it now. It caters for all levels so I have people with all kinds of different backgrounds and experience.

“Some people are ex-professionals themselves and then I’ve got some people who just like singing in the shower. Some are very nervous but obviously with a choir you have safety in numbers. They never feel like they’re going to be singled out and there are no auditions or sight reading. It’s generally three to four-part harmonies that we work with. We sing a wide range of pop songs going from Adele to The Bangles.”

As well as being a fun confident booster, the Popvox choirs work towards appearances at major events.

Emma added: “We’ve just done a huge performance at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall with Britain’s Got Talent finalist Beau Dermott. That was a fantastic night. We were in the musical Godspell, we’ve been to Disneyland Paris. We do everything from small scale festivals in village squares to standing in front of a magic castle in Disneyland so we get about.”

Since launching Popvox one of Emma’s most surprising discoveries is that a lot of the people interested in the choirs are teachers.

She said: “There are a lot of hidden pop singers in primary schools. They come from their day job and the sound they create is unbelievable.”

Emma reckons the reason people are willing to dedicate their time to the choirs despite their busy work and home lives is because of the way it makes them feel.

“If you look at the medical research, it can really help you mentally, emotionally and physically,” said Emma, who appeared in the BAFTA nominated film Rise of the Footsoldier.

“You’re using your lungs and diaphragm and it can help everything from asthma to anxiety.”

Meanwhile, Emma will soon be turning back the clock to her Hi-5 days when she appears with her co-star Luke Roberts at Geronimo. It will be her third year at the children’s festival from May 27 to 29 which this year is relocating to Arley Hall, near Appleton Thorn.

Emma has travelled around the world with Hi-5 which has included performances in Sydney, at Cannes Festival and for the Royal Family in Abu Dhabi.

She added: “Meeting all the children that watched the TV show in person on the tours and hearing them sing your songs was the highlight. One thing I underestimated was the power of pre-school television and the importance of its educational value.”

  • For more information about Popvox click here