{{Short description|Australian musical act}} {{Use Australian English|date=June 2019}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2019}} {{Infobox musical artist | origin = Brisbane, Australia | years_active = 2017–present | genre = Choral Music, Popular Music | image = Astrid Jorgensen and Waveney Yasso Pub Choir.jpg | image_size = | landscape = <!-- yes, if wide image, otherwise leave blank --> | alt = | caption = Astrid Jorgensen and Waveney Yasso at Riverstage, Brisbane May 2021 | website = {{website|www.pubchoir.com.au}} }}
'''Pub Choir''' is a musical act founded in Brisbane, Australia, directed by Astrid Jorgensen.<ref>[https://www.abc.net.au/7.30/how-pub-choir-became-a-phenomenon/9712432 "How Pub Choir became a phenomenon"]. ''Australian Broadcasting Corporation'', 30 April 2018.</ref><ref name="canberra">[https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6083650/just-add-beer-pub-choir-brings-singing-to-the-masses/ "Pub Choir brings singing to the masses"]. ''The Canberra Times'', 26 April 2019.</ref><ref>[https://scenestr.com.au/music/pub-choir-is-for-everyone-no-matter-how-bad-your-singing-is-20190408 "Pub Choir is for everyone, no matter how bad your singing is"]. ''Scenestr'', 8 April 2019.</ref>
At each Pub Choir event, Jorgensen arranges a popular song and teaches it to the audience in three-part harmony, concluding with a performance that is filmed and shared on social media.<ref name="Australian 2018" /><ref name="Leigh 2020">{{Cite book|last1=Leigh|first1=Andrew|title=Reconnected: A community builder's handbook|last2=Terrell|first2=Nick|publisher=La Trobe University Press|year=2020|isbn=9781760642617|location=Australia|pages=133–134}}</ref> There is no formal recurring membership; participants purchase tickets to attend each individual production, which is usually held at a licensed venue.<ref name="Australian 2018" />
== Background ==
The first Pub Choir event was held in West End, Brisbane at venue The Bearded Lady in March 2017.<ref name="Australian 2018" /> At the inaugural event 80 attendees learned Jorgensen's arrangement of "Slice of Heaven" by Dave Dobbyn. Jorgensen founded Pub Choir "to help regular people reclaim music in their lives, free of pressure or judgement".<ref name="Leigh 2020" />
In November 2017 Pub Choir's rendition of Zombie by The Cranberries went viral on the internet,<ref name="theaustralian">[https://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/music/brisbanes-pub-choir-movement-marks-first-year/news-story/635a540b66e001f41673df4ec62c90bb "Brisbane's Pub Choir movement marks first year"]. ''The Australian'', 23 March 2018.</ref> and was shared by the band themselves shortly after the death of lead singer, Dolores O’Riordan.<ref name="Australian 2018">[https://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/review/pub-choir-brisbane-grassroots-event-where-everyones-urged-to-sing/news-story/c46d16c172efa64e8092523046165fd0 "Pub Choir: Brisbane grassroots event where everyone's urged to sing"]. ''The Australian'', 23 March 2018.</ref> Other artists including Mariah Carey,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Coast |title=2,800 people from 50 countries sing stunning virtual choir cover of 'All I Want for Christmas Is You' |url=https://www.thecoast.net.nz/news/2-800-people-from-50-countries-sing-stunning-virtual-choir-cover-of-all-i-want-for-christmas-is-you/ |access-date=2022-07-16 |website=Coast |language=en}}</ref> Radiohead,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Varvaris |first=Mary |title=Radiohead Shares Brisbane Pub Choir Version Of ‘Creep’ |url=https://themusic.com.au/news/radiohead-shares-brisbane-pub-choir-version-of-creep/Bbu7GRgbGh0/22-07-24 |access-date=2024-07-22 |website=The Music |language=en}}</ref> Sir Barry Gibb,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-05-10 |title=Beer, bass notes and the Bee Gees' Barry Gibb: my night at Brisbane's revitalised Pub Choir |url=http://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/may/10/beer-bass-notes-and-the-bee-gees-barry-gibb-my-night-at-brisbanes-revitalised-pub-choir |access-date=2022-07-16 |website=the Guardian |language=en}}</ref> The Killers<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://themusic.com.au/ |title=The Music |access-date=2022-07-16 |website=themusic.com.au |language=en}}</ref>{{fcn|date=September 2023}} and Kiss<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dale |first=Jessica |date=2 March 2020 |title=Even KISS Love Brisbane's Pub Choir After This Excellent 'I Was Made For Lovin' You' Cover |url=https://themusic.com.au/news/pub-choir-brisbane-kiss-i-was-made-for-lovin-you/GacBDQwPDjE/02-03-20 |website=Themusic.com.au}}</ref> have also praised and shared Pub Choir's arrangements of their songs. In 2022, Pub Choir's video of "Running Up That Hill" garnered international media attention when Kate Bush shared a statement describing the performance as "utterly, utterly wonderful!".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Choir |first=Source: Pub |date=2022-07-14 |title=Running Up That Hill: Watch Brisbane choir's rendition of Kate Bush classic – video |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/video/2022/jul/14/running-up-that-hill-watch-brisbane-choirs-rendition-of-kate-bush-classic-video |access-date=2022-07-16 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-07-14 |title=Kate Bush praises Brisbane choir's 'utterly wonderful' Running Up That Hill cover |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/jul/14/kate-bush-praises-brisbane-choirs-utterly-wonderful-running-up-that-hill-cover |access-date=2022-07-16 |website=the Guardian |language=en}}</ref>
Pub Choir has held events widely around Australia,<ref name="canberra">[https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6083650/just-add-beer-pub-choir-brings-singing-to-the-masses/ "Pub Choir brings singing to the masses"]. ''The Canberra Times'', 26 April 2019.</ref><ref>[https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/let-that-inhibition-go-vocal-support-drives-pub-choir-s-success-20190130-p50un9.html "Let that inhibition go': Vocal support drives Pub Choir's success“]. ''The Age'', 31 January 2019.</ref><ref>[https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-03-05/pub-choir-maroochydore-hits-high-note-before-expanding/9507448 "'Pub Choir hits the right notes as movement steps out of Brisbane for first time"]. ''ABC Sunshine Coast'', 7 March 2018.</ref><ref>[https://www.themercury.com.au/entertainment/events/pubs-in-harmony-as-singers-take-over-the-bar-for-festival-of-voices-pub-choir-events/news-story/cda50fef850f85fe1d4fe80857c3a299 "'Pubs in harmony as singers take over the bar for Festival of Voices Pub Choir Events"]. ''The Mercury'', 10 July 2018.</ref><ref>[https://www.ntnews.com.au/entertainment/600-people-heading-to-darwin-ski-club-for-first-ever-nt-pub-choir-event-friday-night/news-story/8c490a962aeaf77c553ee2e266927add "'600 people heading to Darwin Ski Club for first ever NT Pub Choir event Friday night"]. ''Northern Territory News'', 19 July 2018.</ref><ref>[https://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/pub-choir-take-over-toowoomba-bar/3364794/ "'Pub Choir to take over Toowoomba bar"]. ''The Toowoomba Chronicle'', 20 March 2018.</ref><ref>[https://www.warwickdailynews.com.au/photos/pub-choir-in-warwick/74593/#/0 "'Pub Choir in Warwick"]. ''Warwick Daily News'', 22 January 2019.</ref> as well as in New Zealand,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.breadandcircus.co.nz/pub-choir-the-spiegeltent|title=Pub Choir @ The Spiegeltent|website=Bread & Circus|language=en-nz|access-date=2019-06-15}}</ref> the United States<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.griffith.edu.au/2019/07/18/griffith-alumnus-goes-global-with-pub-choir/|title=Griffith alumnus goes global with Pub Choir|last=Crossen|first=Louise|website=news.griffith.edu.au|language=en-EN|access-date=2019-12-01}}</ref> and England. On 5 April 2018 Pub Choir performed at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gc2018.com/event/pub-choir|title=Pub Choir {{!}} Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games|website=Gold Coast 2018|language=en|access-date=2019-06-15}}</ref> On 20 July 2019 Pub Choir performed at Splendour In The Grass.<ref>[https://www.sbs.com.au/news/the-feed/from-singing-in-the-pub-to-splendour-in-the-grass "'From singing in the pub to Splendour in the Grass"]. ''SBS'', 3 April 2019.</ref>
Jorgensen created a form of musical notation incorporating colour-coded contoured text and comedic visual cues to teach at Pub Choir, so that musical literacy is not required for audience participation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bachelard |first=Michael |date=2024-04-12 |title=Meet Australia’s biggest performing artist you’ve probably never heard of |url=https://www.smh.com.au/culture/music/meet-australia-s-biggest-performing-artist-you-ve-probably-never-heard-of-20240409-p5fifn.html |access-date=2024-04-13 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}}</ref>
The term ''Pub Choir'' was coined by Jorgensen, and is trademarked.<ref>{{Cite web |title=PUB CHOIR Trademark of PC IP PTY LTD - Registration Number 6110717 - Serial Number 88449740 :: Justia Trademarks |url=http://trademarks.justia.com/884/49/pub-88449740.html |access-date=2023-12-09 |website=trademarks.justia.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Whiting |first=Frances |date=9 December 2023 |title=‘Power of song’: How Astrid Jorgensen turned Pub Choir into a sell-out sensation |pages=8-10 |work=The Courier Mail QWeekend |url=https://www.couriermail.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=CMWEB_WRE170_a&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.couriermail.com.au%2Flifestyle%2Fqweekend%2Fpower-of-song-how-astrid-jorgensen-turned-pub-choir-into-a-sellout-sensation%2Fnews-story%2F185a236ddab260ae72e170025899c11b&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium&v21=GROUPA-Segment-1-NOSCORE |access-date=9 December 2023}}</ref>
== Special guests == Pub Choir has featured guest appearances by several notable musicians and celebrities. The first guest appearance in March 2018 by John Collins of Powderfinger for a performance of "My Happiness" received significant media attention, with a three-page feature in ''The Australian''<ref name="theaustralian" /> by journalist Andrew McMillen and a long-form radio piece on ABC's Radio National Breakfast program, hosted by Fran Kelly.<ref>[https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/breakfast/pub-choir-a-singing-community/9586278 "'Pub Choir': A singing community"]. ''Radio National'', 26 March 2018.</ref>
In 2018 other notable musical guests included:
* Chris Cheney of The Living End * Felix Riebl of The Cat Empire * Ben Ely of Regurgitator * John Willsteed and Adele Pickvance formerly of The Go-Betweens
In 2019 musical guests included:
* Patience Hodgson of The Grates * Ella Hooper of Killing Heidi * Samuel Cromack of Ball Park Music * Danielle Caruana of Mama Kin * Tania Doko of Bachelor Girl * Shane Howard of Goanna * Darren Middleton of Powderfinger *Lior *Meg Mac *Jim Moginie of Midnight Oil *Ben Lee
In 2020 musical guests included:
In 2022 guests included:
* Tim Freedman of The Whitlams * Judith Lucy * Mark Gable of The Choirboys * Jason Singh of Taxiride
In 2018 Pub Choir was featured in Hit Network's national advertising campaign, with multiple presenters appearing at shows including Grant Denyer, Dave Hughes, Kate Langbroek, and Ed Kavalee.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.radiotoday.com.au/2dayfm-is-bringing-pub-choir-to-sydney/|title=2DayFM is bringing Pub Choir to Sydney|date=2018-06-22|website=Radio Today|language=en-US|access-date=2019-06-15}}</ref>
== Philanthropy == Pub Choir has regularly partnered with local charities, often donating a portion of ticket sales and raising money at events.<ref name="Leigh 2020" />
In 2018 Pub Choir raised over $19,000 for the charity MND and Me in honour of Pub Choir regular attendee, John Hanley.{{citation needed|date=November 2019}} Subsequently, John Hanley's involvement with Pub Choir caught the attention of ABC TV producers for the show "The Recording Studio",<ref>[https://www.couriermail.com.au/lifestyle/uonsunday/dying-gift-husband-records-song-for-wife-before-its-too-late/news-story/d4a3950ba66017b33b2aa71e252c23f1 "'Dying man records Brown Eyed Girl on ABC show for wife"]. ‘’The Courier-Mail’’, 12 April 2018.</ref> in which Hanley was featured in the inaugural episode on 16 April 2019.<ref>[https://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/review/middle-eight-the-recording-studio/news-story/bfe3863e913ec2204ad122027d4a77cd "'Middle Eight: The Recording Studio"]. ‘’The Australian’’, 20 April 2019.</ref>
On 20 December 2018 Pub Choir sold out a Christmas event at Brisbane City Hall for a performance of "How to Make Gravy" by Paul Kelly. Samuel Johnson (OAM) was the guest speaker, and the event raised over $108,000 for Samuel's charity, "Love Your Sister".<ref name="canberra" /> In 2019, Pub Choir’s Christmas event raised over $134,000 for Women’s Legal Service Queensland. Pub Choir has continued to support the organisation and, as of 2024, has raised over $500,000.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lynch |first=Jessie |title=Pub Choir Raises $161k For Charity In Epic Brisbane Riverstage Singalong |url=https://themusic.com.au/news/pub-choir-raises-161k-for-charity-in-epic-brisbane-riverstage-singalong/oHYesrW0t7Y/19-12-23 |access-date=2024-04-13 |website=The Music |language=en}}</ref>
On 14 June 2019 Jorgensen was awarded the Queensland Community Foundation Emerging Philanthropist of the Year as a result of her charitable work with Pub Choir.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://qcf.org.au/philanthropy-week/qcf-2019-philanthropist-of-the-year-awards/|title=QCF 2019 Philanthropist of the Year Awards|last=Downes|first=Kirsten|website=QCF|language=en-US|access-date=2019-06-15}}</ref>
==Couch Choir== During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic a virtual choir named Couch Choir was created as an online equivalent of Pub Choir.<ref name="Leigh 2020" /> In July 2020 it created a video including 1,534 contributions from people in 40 countries.<ref name="wallace">{{cite news |last1=Wallace |first1=Jess |title=Forty countries, 1500 people: Watch this killer Couch Choir in action |url=https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6833825/forty-countries-1500-people-watch-this-killer-couch-choir-in-action/?cs=14231 |accessdate=25 July 2020 |work=The Canberra Times |date=15 July 2020 |language=en}}</ref> In 2020, Couch Choir's video performance of Close to You by The Carpenters was added to the collection of the Australian National Communications Museum.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Part Two - Building virtual communities|url=https://www.ncmuseum.org.au/connecting-through-covid/part-two-building-virtual-communities/|access-date=2021-01-09|website=National Communications Museum|language=en-AU}}</ref> Couch Choir's 2020 Christmas video of All I Want For Christmas Is You featured the Queensland Symphony Orchestra and was shared online by Mariah Carey,<ref name="West Australian 2021">{{Cite web|date=2021-06-04|title=Time to hold a tune|url=https://thewest.com.au/entertainment/astrid-jorgensen-is-taking-pub-choir-concept-to-the-living-rooms-of-australia-in-australias-biggest-singalong-ng-b881878623z|access-date=2021-07-12|website=The West Australian|language=en}}</ref> raising over $31,000 for the charity GIVIT.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-12-16|title=Couch Choir Helps the Isolated Find Their Voice|url=https://www.96five.com/stories/culture/music-news/2020/couch-choir-helps-the-isolated-find-their-voice/|access-date=2021-01-09|website=96five Family Radio}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Coast|title=2,800 people from 50 countries sing stunning virtual choir cover of 'All I Want for Christmas Is You'|url=https://www.thecoast.net.nz/news/2-800-people-from-50-countries-sing-stunning-virtual-choir-cover-of-all-i-want-for-christmas-is-you/|access-date=2021-01-09|website=Coast|language=en}}</ref>
==''Australia's Biggest Singalong!''== The inaugural television special ''Australia's Biggest Singalong!'' was broadcast live on SBS from the Sydney Town Hall on 5 June 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Great Australian voices join Julia Zemiro and Miranda Tapsell for 'Australia's Biggest Singalong!'|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/guide/article/2021/05/21/great-australian-voices-join-julia-zemiro-and-miranda-tapsell-australias-biggest|access-date=2021-07-12|website=Guide|language=en}}</ref> The two-hour special was co-created by Pub Choir in collaboration with Artemis Media and SBS and was hosted by Julia Zemiro and Miranda Tapsell.<ref>{{Cite web|last=McManus|first=Bridget|date=2021-05-22|title=Need a hit of euphoria? Julia Zemiro has just the ticket|url=https://www.smh.com.au/culture/tv-and-radio/julia-zemiro-wants-you-to-sing-with-her-20210514-p57rwv.html|access-date=2021-07-12|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-05-10|title=Beer, bass notes and the Bee Gees' Barry Gibb: my night at Brisbane's revitalised Pub Choir|url=http://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/may/10/beer-bass-notes-and-the-bee-gees-barry-gibb-my-night-at-brisbanes-revitalised-pub-choir|access-date=2021-07-12|website=the Guardian|language=en}}</ref><ref name="West Australian 2021" /> Throughout the interactive special, Jorgensen and Yasso taught the live audience and home viewers a vocal arrangement of "Throw Your Arms Around Me" by Hunters & Collectors in real-time, with guest performances by Dami Im and Mitch Tambo.<ref>{{Cite web|title=/|url=https://themusic.com.au/features/australias-biggest-singalong-pub-choir-astrid-jorgensen/YxN_d3Z5eHs/04-06-21/|access-date=2021-07-12|website=The Music|language=en}}</ref><ref name="West Australian 2021" /> The show culminated in a final performance which was accompanied by Mark Seymour.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Pobjie|first=Ben|date=2021-05-30|title=TV will give Mark Seymour's 'mysterious' chorus a rousing rendition|url=https://www.smh.com.au/culture/tv-and-radio/tv-will-give-mark-seymour-s-mysterious-chorus-a-rousing-rendition-20210527-p57vm8.html|access-date=2021-07-12|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|language=en}}</ref>
== See also ==
* Choir! Choir! Choir!, similar project founded in Canada in 2011
== References == {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{Official website|pubchoir.com.au/}} {{authority control}}
Category:Australian choirs Category:Musical groups established in 2017 Category:2017 establishments in Australia Category:Sing-along