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Men United In Song 2018: supporting Prostate Cancer UK

Looking for a fresh challenge, new skills and a great social scene to boot? Then look no further…

Following its phenomenal success over the last couple of years, Men United in Song is back for 2018, once again raising money for Prostate Cancer UK. Launching in February, the project will sign up a minimum of 40 local men with a range of previous singing experience (including none) to rehearse over 10 weeks for a charity concert at the Cresset Theatre on Saturday 14 April.

To date the project has engaged hundreds of local men, raising many thousands of pounds for the charity – a fantastic result! ‘I’d seen the adverts for Men United in Song and finally plucked up the courage to give it a shot!’ says Alex Smith, who participated in the project last year. ‘The first rehearsal was nerve wracking and nothing like I expected but there were lots of other guys there just like me and we ended up making a really good sound. The final performance was such an adrenaline rush – having the chance to perform on stage in front of friends and family was something I’d never done before. If you’re thinking about signing up, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain – confidence, friends, trips to the pub – and the singing of course! Getting involved is one of the best decisions I have made.’

‘The whole experience was a lot of fun, extremely rewarding and exciting,’ agrees Stuart Holmes, who also took part in the project last year. ‘You get to see what your voice is really capable of, which is usually a pleasant surprise! You get to socialise and share a few pints with a great bunch of guys, from all walks of life, who you might not necessarily meet otherwise – it broadens your horizons and you can make some really good friends. It takes a certain amount of dedication and you have to put the work in, but the rewards and the sense of achievement when you finally get to perform in front of an audience at the concert are amazing! I couldn’t recommend it highly enough – even if you are apprehensive, go for it, what have you got to lose?’

Men United In Song is not all about the singing, or even about the fundraising, there’s a fantastic social scene, too! Ultimately, it’s about a group of men getting together in a shared enterprise, which of course is the idea behind Prostate Cancer UK’s Men United campaign, and why the charity seemed such a good fit for the project.

William Prideaux, director of Men United in Song, says: ‘It’s a real privilege to work with such a cracking bunch of blokes. They take their music making as seriously as their socialising. There’s a real camaraderie among them and a tight-knit aspect to the group makes them a force to be reckoned with.’

Men United In Song kicks off with introduction sessions at the Key Theatre at the beginning of February. Absolutely no previous experience is required to join, just a willingness to get stuck in and give it a go. ‘We’re not looking for a Gary Barlow or an Alfie Boe,’ says William Prideaux, ‘just guys who want to come along and enjoy singing together. Until you’ve tried it, you can’t understand the buzz singing can bring. We’re not looking for 100% in musicality, but 100% in enthusiasm. Come along to an introduction session and find out more, we’re convinced those who do will enjoy themselves and discover how great singing can be!’

● For further information contact Jo on 01733 425194 or email
● Introduction sessions will be at the Key Theatre, Peterborough on Thursday 1 February (7-9pm), Friday 2 February (7-9pm) and Saturday 3 February (10.30am-12.00pm). Please call/email to register.
● Rehearsals will be on Thursday evenings from 7.45pm-9.45pm at the John Mansfield Campus, Western Avenue, Peterborough PE1 4HX.
● TheMen United In Song concert will be at Peterborough’s Cresset Theatre at 7.30pm on Saturday 14th April 2018.

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