# Pub Choir > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Pub_Choir > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Pub_Choir.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pub_Choir > Source revision: 1352921610 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{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 = | 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](/source/Brisbane), [Australia](/source/Australia), directed by [Astrid Jorgensen](/source/Astrid_Jorgensen).[https://www.abc.net.au/7.30/how-pub-choir-became-a-phenomenon/9712432 "How Pub Choir became a phenomenon"]. ''[Australian Broadcasting Corporation](/source/Australian_Broadcasting_Corporation)'', 30 April 2018.[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](/source/The_Canberra_Times)'', 26 April 2019.[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. At each Pub Choir event, Jorgensen arranges a popular song and teaches it to the audience in three-part [harmony](/source/harmony), concluding with a performance that is filmed and shared on social media.{{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}} There is no formal recurring membership; participants purchase tickets to attend each individual production, which is usually held at a licensed venue. == Background == The first Pub Choir event was held in [West End, Brisbane](/source/West_End%2C_Queensland) at venue The Bearded Lady in March 2017. At the inaugural event 80 attendees learned Jorgensen's arrangement of "[Slice of Heaven](/source/Slice_of_Heaven)" by [Dave Dobbyn](/source/Dave_Dobbyn). Jorgensen founded Pub Choir "to help regular people reclaim music in their lives, free of pressure or judgement". In November 2017 Pub Choir's rendition of [Zombie](/source/Zombie_(The_Cranberries_song)) by [The Cranberries](/source/The_Cranberries) went viral on the internet,[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](/source/The_Australian)'', 23 March 2018. and was shared by the band themselves shortly after the death of lead singer, [Dolores O’Riordan](/source/Dolores_O%E2%80%99Riordan).[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](/source/The_Australian)'', 23 March 2018. Other artists including [Mariah Carey](/source/Mariah_Carey),{{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}} [Radiohead](/source/Radiohead),{{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}} [Sir Barry Gibb](/source/Barry_Gibb),{{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}} [The Killers](/source/The_Killers){{Cite web |url=https://themusic.com.au/ |title=The Music |access-date=2022-07-16 |website=themusic.com.au |language=en}}{{fcn|date=September 2023}} and [Kiss](/source/Kiss_(band)){{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}} have also praised and shared Pub Choir's arrangements of their songs. In 2022, Pub Choir's video of "[Running Up That Hill](/source/Running_Up_That_Hill)" garnered international media attention when [Kate Bush](/source/Kate_Bush) shared a statement describing the performance as "utterly, utterly wonderful!".{{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}}{{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}} Pub Choir has held events widely around Australia,[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](/source/The_Canberra_Times)'', 26 April 2019.[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](/source/The_Age)'', 31 January 2019.[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](/source/ABC_Sunshine_Coast)'', 7 March 2018.[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](/source/The_Mercury_(Hobart))'', 10 July 2018.[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](/source/Northern_Territory_News)'', 19 July 2018.[https://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/pub-choir-take-over-toowoomba-bar/3364794/ "'Pub Choir to take over Toowoomba bar"]. ''[The Toowoomba Chronicle](/source/The_Toowoomba_Chronicle)'', 20 March 2018.[https://www.warwickdailynews.com.au/photos/pub-choir-in-warwick/74593/#/0 "'Pub Choir in Warwick"]. ''[Warwick Daily News](/source/Warwick_Daily_News)'', 22 January 2019. as well as in New Zealand,{{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}} the United States{{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}} and England. On 5 April 2018 Pub Choir performed at the [2018 Commonwealth Games](/source/2018_Commonwealth_Games).{{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}} On 20 July 2019 Pub Choir performed at [Splendour In The Grass](/source/Splendour_In_The_Grass).[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](/source/Special_Broadcasting_Service)'', 3 April 2019. 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.{{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}} The term ''Pub Choir'' was coined by Jorgensen, and is trademarked.{{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}}{{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}} == Special guests == Pub Choir has featured guest appearances by several notable musicians and celebrities. The first guest appearance in March 2018 by [John Collins](/source/John_Collins_(Australian_musician)) of [Powderfinger](/source/Powderfinger) for a performance of "[My Happiness](/source/My_Happiness_(Powderfinger_song))" received significant media attention, with a three-page feature in ''[The Australian](/source/The_Australian)'' by journalist [Andrew McMillen](/source/Andrew_McMillen) and a long-form radio piece on ABC's [Radio National](/source/Radio_National) Breakfast program, hosted by [Fran Kelly](/source/Fran_Kelly).[https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/breakfast/pub-choir-a-singing-community/9586278 "'Pub Choir': A singing community"]. ''[Radio National](/source/Radio_National)'', 26 March 2018. In 2018 other notable musical guests included: * [Chris Cheney](/source/Chris_Cheney) of [The Living End](/source/The_Living_End) * [Felix Riebl](/source/Felix_Riebl) of [The Cat Empire](/source/The_Cat_Empire) * [Ben Ely](/source/Ben_Ely) of [Regurgitator](/source/Regurgitator) * [John Willsteed](/source/John_Willsteed) and Adele Pickvance formerly of [The Go-Betweens](/source/The_Go-Betweens) In 2019 musical guests included: * Patience Hodgson of [The Grates](/source/The_Grates) * [Ella Hooper](/source/Ella_Hooper) of [Killing Heidi](/source/Killing_Heidi) * Samuel Cromack of [Ball Park Music](/source/Ball_Park_Music) * Danielle Caruana of [Mama Kin](/source/Mama_Kin) * [Tania Doko](/source/Tania_Doko) of [Bachelor Girl](/source/Bachelor_Girl) * [Shane Howard](/source/Shane_Howard) of [Goanna](/source/Goanna_(band)) * [Darren Middleton](/source/Darren_Middleton) of [Powderfinger](/source/Powderfinger) *[Lior](/source/Lior) *[Meg Mac](/source/Meg_Mac) *[Jim Moginie](/source/Jim_Moginie) of [Midnight Oil](/source/Midnight_Oil) *[Ben Lee](/source/Ben_Lee) In 2020 musical guests included: * [Paul Kelly](/source/Paul_Kelly_(Australian_musician)) In 2022 guests included: * [Tim Freedman](/source/Tim_Freedman) of [The Whitlams](/source/The_Whitlams) * [Judith Lucy](/source/Judith_Lucy) * [Mark Gable](/source/Mark_Gable) of [The Choirboys](/source/The_Choirboys_(band)) * [Jason Singh](/source/Jason_Singh) of [Taxiride](/source/Taxiride) In 2018 Pub Choir was featured in [Hit Network](/source/Hit_Network)'s national advertising campaign, with multiple presenters appearing at shows including [Grant Denyer](/source/Grant_Denyer), [Dave Hughes](/source/Dave_Hughes), [Kate Langbroek](/source/Kate_Langbroek), and [Ed Kavalee](/source/Ed_Kavalee).{{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}} == Philanthropy == Pub Choir has regularly partnered with local charities, often donating a portion of ticket sales and raising money at events. 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](/source/American_Broadcasting_Company) producers for the show "[The Recording Studio](/source/The_Recording_Studio)",[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](/source/The_Courier-Mail)’’, 12 April 2018. in which Hanley was featured in the inaugural episode on 16 April 2019.[https://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/review/middle-eight-the-recording-studio/news-story/bfe3863e913ec2204ad122027d4a77cd "'Middle Eight: The Recording Studio"]. ‘’[The Australian](/source/The_Australian)’’, 20 April 2019. On 20 December 2018 Pub Choir sold out a Christmas event at [Brisbane City Hall](/source/Brisbane_City_Hall) for a performance of "[How to Make Gravy](/source/How_to_Make_Gravy)" by [Paul Kelly](/source/Paul_Kelly_(Australian_musician)). [Samuel Johnson](/source/Samuel_Johnson) (OAM) was the guest speaker, and the event raised over $108,000 for Samuel's charity, "Love Your Sister". 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.{{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}} 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.{{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}} ==Couch Choir== During the 2020 [COVID-19 pandemic](/source/COVID-19_pandemic) a [virtual choir](/source/virtual_choir) named Couch Choir was created as an online equivalent of Pub Choir. In July 2020 it created a video including 1,534 contributions from people in 40 countries.{{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}} In 2020, Couch Choir's video performance of Close to You by [The Carpenters](/source/The_Carpenters) was added to the collection of the Australian National Communications Museum.{{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}} Couch Choir's 2020 Christmas video of [All I Want For Christmas Is You](/source/All_I_Want_for_Christmas_Is_You) featured the [Queensland Symphony Orchestra](/source/Queensland_Symphony_Orchestra) and was shared online by [Mariah Carey](/source/Mariah_Carey),{{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}} raising over $31,000 for the charity GIVIT.{{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}}{{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}} ==''Australia's Biggest Singalong!''== The inaugural television special ''Australia's Biggest Singalong!'' was broadcast live on [SBS](/source/SBS_(Australian_TV_channel)) from the [Sydney Town Hall](/source/Sydney_Town_Hall) on 5 June 2021.{{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}} The two-hour special was co-created by Pub Choir in collaboration with Artemis Media and [SBS](/source/SBS_(Australian_TV_channel)) and was hosted by [Julia Zemiro](/source/Julia_Zemiro) and [Miranda Tapsell](/source/Miranda_Tapsell).{{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}}{{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}} Throughout the interactive special, Jorgensen and Yasso taught the live audience and home viewers a vocal arrangement of "[Throw Your Arms Around Me](/source/Throw_Your_Arms_Around_Me)" by [Hunters & Collectors](/source/Hunters_%26_Collectors) in real-time, with guest performances by [Dami Im](/source/Dami_Im) and [Mitch Tambo](/source/Mitch_Tambo).{{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}} The show culminated in a final performance which was accompanied by [Mark Seymour](/source/Mark_Seymour).{{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}} == See also == * [Choir! Choir! Choir!](/source/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 --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Pub Choir](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pub_Choir) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pub_Choir?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.