The Gisborne Vocal Collective
- Gizzy Community
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Have you ever dreamt of developing your musical skills under a skilled vocal coach while performing with a professional choir? One that sings contemporary music, harmonising modern pop and classic rock songs? Well, you’re in luck.
The recently rebranded Gisborne Vocal Collective, directed by Letitia Lindeque, is seeking to expand its membership and develop into a professional choir, with ambitions to perform locally.
You don’t need to know how to read music. All you need is the ability to sing in tune, and Letitia, using her expertise as a singer and 17 years as a vocal coach, guides the rest.
“I teach people how to harmonise... I'm not just giving them a part and saying, ‘You sing this.’ I'm actually teaching them how to hear harmonies and how to use their voice,” Letitia says.
As I sit with Letitia in her home studio on Russell Street, with guitars and various vocal pedagogy books lining the walls, her passion and knowledge for developing people’s voices are tangible - and her embodiment of music is clear.
She flows between speaking and singing as she describes her teaching methods and the choir's repertoire, which so far includes beloved hits such as Simon and Garfunkel's "Scarborough Fair" and Bill Withers’s "Lean on Me."
While “no two voices are identical”, Letitia believes anyone with a “functional voice” can learn to sing.
She says, “Look at a guitar. It can do a lot of amazing things depending on who plays it.”
The guitar can be used to play any genre; however, it is limited by the skill set of the person playing it. The same principle applies to the voice, Letitia states.
“I teach the voice like an instrument…I help you to develop your instrument so that you can sing whatever you want.”
She describes the Gisborne Vocal Collective as “unique” and not what you normally imagine when you hear the word ‘choir,’ as they do not sing classically.
They will be similar in “sound and feel” to the Leeds Contemporary Pop Choir, Letitia explains, showing a video of the 50-plus vocalists performing a vibrant rendition of Natasha Bedingfield’s “Unwritten” on Britain's Got Talent. Think of the Rock Choir, or Glee, but with more group singing. There will also be opportunities for solos and for musical instruments. The choir will mostly use high-quality backing tracks; however, at times, they will also sing a cappella.
Speaking about the diverse repertoire, Letitia notes the group will perform jazz standards such as “Dream a Little Dream of Me” by The Mamas and the Papas, pop hits like Sia’s “Titanium”, rock anthems like Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody”, and even musical theatre numbers.
The collective started in February and has 11 members so far, but they want to grow it.
In a promotional video (attached below), current members report that, in addition to improving their vocal skills and making new friends, they’ve also experienced greater confidence using their voices and joy when singing together.
Letitia says everyone shares an ambition to perform when they’re ready, and as the group progresses, there could be chances to join the NZ Choral Federation and enter singing competitions.
The choir welcomes anyone aged 14 and upwards, from experienced singers to those returning to singing or those who have always wanted to give it a go.
“You’re never too old to join!”
The Gisborne Vocal Collective meets Tuesday, 6.00-7.30 pm, at the Poverty Bay Bowling Club, 111 Ormond Road during school terms, and costs $150 per term with the first 2 sessions free.
Contact Letitia Lindeque on 0211 396 297 or email letitialindeque@gmail.com
Curious what it’s like to be part of the collective? Hear from the members themselves below.
