Wigan graduate creates booming choir community with more than 1,000 members
A Wigan woman has built an incredible musical community from scratch, and it all started with a brave decision in the middle of a global pandemic.
Laura Bennett-Gornall, 32, went to Upholland High School and Winstanley College before heading to Liverpool to study Music at the prestigious Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA).
Today she is the founder of Local Vocals, a network of friendly, community-based choirs that welcome people of all ages and abilities to come together and sing – purely for fun, friendship and fundraising.
And that fundraising has already made a huge impact. Since launching, Local Vocals has already raised a staggering £52,000 for charity, supporting a wide range of good causes across the region.
After graduating in 2016, Laura never imagined where her career would take her.
“Less than ten years ago I was leaving LIPA with a music degree and big dreams,” she said. “I could never have imagined that I’d now be running 34 community choirs.”
Laura has been leading choirs since she was just 17, but in January 2021 she decided to take a huge leap of faith.
“During the pandemic I made the decision to quit my job and start my own choir,” she explained. “It probably sounds mad looking back, but I just knew it was what I wanted to do.”
With lockdowns still in place, Local Vocals began life online, with rehearsals held over Zoom. As restrictions eased, the choirs moved into the real world, opening up in Wigan, Chorley and Preston, and they’ve been growing ever since.
The clue to Laura’s mission is in the name.
From the very beginning, Local Vocals has been all about community. The choirs work closely with local musicians, support nearby businesses and bring people together through the simple joy of singing.
Today, more than 1,100 people sing with Local Vocals every week, supported by a team of nine talented choir leaders who make sure every rehearsal is fun, friendly and welcoming.
Members learn uplifting songs in four-part harmony, covering a huge range of artists such as Oasis, Adele, Take That, Fleetwood Mac, Queen, Stevie Wonder and Justin Timberlake. The choirs perform regularly at festivals, community events, stadiums and even cathedrals, giving singers plenty of exciting opportunities to take to the stage.
The money raised so far has gone to support a number of charities including St Catherine’s Hospice, North West Air Ambulance, Wigan & Leigh Hospice, North West Blood Bikes, Derian House Children’s Hospice, Wigan Stars, Willowbrook Hospice and Lancashire Mind.
Last year marked a major milestone when Local Vocals staged its first big show at Blackpool Winter Gardens, performing to an audience of more than 800 people.
And the next event is set to be even bigger. On 1st August, hundreds of members will perform at the iconic Bridgewater Hall in Manchester, with all profits going to North West Cancer Research.
Local Vocals continues to grow across the region, proving that singing really is for everyone.
To find about more about Local Vocals, click here.
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