Ryhope Choir

Ryhope Choir is community choir run by our Artist in Residence (23-24) Tony Bowler. Ryhope choir has something for everyone; a mix of popular music from the 1950s onwards. The doors are open for anyone who would like to come and listen, and perhaps sing along! 

Ryhope choir is on Thursdays 6-7pm at St Paul’s Church, https://www.facebook.com/groups/1042215380138352/

Ry Ry Ryhope Beach!

Several months ago I was at the weekly Ryhope choir session and we were singing an adaptation of Rockaway Beach by the Ramones which was changed to Ryhope Beach. Singing the song and thinking about the trip to the beach in the song I suddenly thought how good it would be to make a video for it including features of our wonderful village on a trip down to the beach. Fast forward to this summer, on 16th August members of the choir gathered together in our usual performance attire of red and black for a couple of hours to film the video at the church, on the village green, at bus stops, at the tunnel to the beach and finally on the famous Ryhope beach itself. The video was a fun and silly accompaniment to the song with skits such as getting the whole choir into Tony’s tiny car, carrying beach balls and Louise posing enthusiastically with a guitar throughout. Harrison Bolt filmed the video for us with Tony’s storyboard. The music to accompany the video was recorded in the weeks before with small groups of choir members recording in Tony’s music room at his house. Judith’s young granddaughter, Poppy, closed the song with a hauntingly cute version of the song which Judith had recorded on her phone and which we all agreed needed to be included in the final version. The whole experience was hugely enjoyable and we had a great time singing, dressing up and acting throughout. I love it when a plan comes together. 

Ryhope Beach
Performed by Ryhope Choir
Directed by Harrison Bolt, Tony Bowler and Maddison Farrar.
Edited by Harrison Bolt

Visit our Youtube channel for more videos: www.youtube.com/@StPaulsChurchRyhope