Getting to Know Bristol - Elaine Wilson, Director of Riff Raff Choir
Posted on: 30 Jul 2015Bristol's Riff Raff Choir was originally co-founded by Elaine Wilson and Joe Blench. Performing a wide selection of pop, rock and funk, the choir meets four times a week at four locations around Bristol, ensuring as many people as possible have the opportunity to get involved.
The first group started in Clifton (Tuesdays) and since then Riff Raff choir has gone from strength to strength, with groups meeting in Southville, Bishopston and Fishponds. With around 250 members over the various sessions, ages range from 15 to 70, though the majority of the choir are in their 20s, 30s and 40s. To find out more, we spoke to director, Elaine Wilson
Hi Elaine, when was Riff Raff founded?
Riff Raff was co-founded by Joe Blench and I in 2010. We were both at the University of Bristol and sang in the University Singers together. We started Riff Raff with just 50 people in The Lansdown pub. Joe left Riff Raff in July 2013 to pursue other avenues, although he still pops along to the gigs to see us every once in a while.
Elaine conducting at Riff Raff
Are you from Bristol?
I was born in Bristol but I grew up in Salisbury, so I'm not sure if that makes me a true Bristolian. However, I read Maths at Bristol Uni and I've lived most of my adult life here except for a few years in London and a year travelling.
How are you finding the number of members and performances?
Riff Raff has around 230 members in total but we’re split between four groups that rehearse on different nights of the week. The more established groups (Clifton, Southville and Bishopston) have long-standing members although there is always room for a few new choir members every term. The newest group – in Fishponds – is still growing, but every term it gets a little bigger as more people hear about it. I organise a concert at the end of every term so that the choir has something to aim for. At Christmas, each of the rehearsal groups performs at their rehearsal venue. For example, in The Lansdown (Clifton) we sing in the garden area, which is lovely as it allows the patrons to hear the culmination of the rehearsals they've heard every Tuesday night. In the Spring,we combine into two groups for our concerts, and from next summer onwards Riff Raff will host a massive concert where all four groups sing together. In July 2016, our Summer gig will be at the Colston Hall – you heard it here first! Riff Raff also performs at local events such as the North Street Fair and the Festival of Song, and on Sunday 2nd August we’ll be singing at Make Sunday Special on Corn Street outside the Bristologist Bar at 3.15pm.
Tell us about Riff Raff
Riff Raff is a Bristol-based, amateur, a cappella, pop and rock choir, that has an open door policy: there are no auditions and no sheet music. I've always felt that classical choirs, which required one to read music, could miss out on all those amazing singers who'd never had formal training. It's wonderful to hear people really grow into their voice and gain confidence singing. Our four rehearsal groups are at: the Hen & Chicken (Southville) on Mondays, The Lansdown (Clifton) on Tuesdays, St Michaels and All Angels Church (Bishopston) on Wednesdays, and The Cross Hands (Fishponds) on Thursdays. We rehearse in the evening from 7.30-9.30pm. We like to make the sessions fun, partly by arranging songs that choir and audience members listen to on the radio. We try to stay current and have performed songs such as ‘Happy’ by Pharrell Williams, ‘Titanium’ by David Guetta (feat. Sia) and ‘Wrecking Ball’ by Miley Cyrus. There are two teachers/conductors at every rehearsal and performance, which is very different from a classical choir, but it allows us to learn more complicated song arrangements. We learn six new songs – most of which are arranged by the Riff Raff teachers (including myself) – every ten-week term. The choir members listen to audio tracks for their voice part (bass, tenor, alto, soprano, and so forth) at home to practice the songs once we've taught them.
Tell us a little more about 'Reduced Riff Raff'
Reduced Riff Raff is a small a cappella group, made up of (mainly) the Riff Raff teachers. We always perform as a warm-up act for the main choir, because it's great for the choir to see us in a different role, performing to them for a change! We try to do a mix of beautiful and entertaining songs.
How do you find running a choir in Bristol?
Bristol is a great place to run a choir. There are so many people interested in singing and such a diverse range of singing groups. We have one choir member who's been in Riff Raff from its inception who is in no less than four choirs at the moment. She says although all of the choirs teach the voice parts by ear, they are all really different and she enjoys them all for different reasons. The Festival of Song, which takes place in October, is a fantastic way of hearing the huge variety of singers we have here in Bristol. Riff Raff will be taking part in the song raids on Saturday 10th October, which are always a lot of fun. Basically, we'll be popping up in unexpected places in Bristol city centre to sing to the passers-by.
Where do you like to eat out in Bristol?
One of my favourite places to eat is Thai Classic on Whiteladies Road. My husband, Johnny, and I met in Thailand and this restaurant and the lovely owners really remind us of being there. We love Sunday brunch at our local Grounded on Sandy Park Road in Brislington and another of my all time favourites is the Clifton Sausage for a gorgeous bangers and mash.
What's your favourite place in Bristol?
That's a tough one… there are so many! One of the things I love about Bristol is all the green space right on the doorstep. I really love going "up to the Downs" (which according to the man on the Bristol sightseeing bus is a common phrase used by Bristolians) on a beautiful day.
Where do you see Riff Raff in 5 years time?
In five years’ time, I see Riff Raff still going strong in Clifton, Southville, Bishopston and Fishponds, perhaps with a few other choral offshoots. I feel like Riff Raff is the perfect size with four groups. It’s a large choir, but there is still a sense of community and support. It would be lovely to perform with some of the other amazing regional and community choirs in the future.
What advice would you give to any other local choirs or similar groups looking to establish themselves?
Don't try to please everybody. Do what you love and you'll find people who love it too.
If you were Mayor of Bristol for a day which one thing would you change?
I would look into converting or building a performance venue with a capacity for around 1,000 people. There is a huge gap in the market in Bristol. There are a lot of smaller venues that hold up to a 300-person audience, a couple that hold around 500 (e.g. St George's) and then nothing in between up until 1,900 (Colston Hall). With the number of choirs, orchestras, and various other musical groups in Bristol, a venue of that size would be snapped up for performances!
Tags: Getting to Know Bristol, Riff Raff, RiffRaff, Choir, Concert, Singing, Pop, Rock, Funk, Clifton, Southville, Bishopston, Fishponds.