MEN ARE SINGING
Cornwall’s “beloved” alternative male voice choir
2018 - 2024
The acclaimed social art experiment/community choir began in 2018 as an inquiry into why younger men weren’t joining choirs.
Over six years they developed into a 50-man-strong chorus, headlining festivals and inventing new traditions, with a surprising mix of barnstorming covers and heart-warming original compositions.
“I was a member of Seamas Carey’s ‘Men are Singing’ project for 6 years. It was a much cherished, enlivening, nourishing and hugely important part of my life. The project spanned generations and backgrounds, bringing men together around an open, flexible, collaborative, social and highly creative music project.
An amazing community was created (one that continues to thrive today beyond the project itself) and its impact on wellbeing, mental health and community will be long felt in the wider community around the men who took part.”
Paul Bray 41
“When I think of a Cornish male voice choir, I can’t help but think of an older demographic, singing tunes about mining, religion, and tradition.
Men Are Singing, the brainchild of Cornish creative Seamas Carey, is reinventing the concept of a male voice choir, teaching the importance of embracing emotion, vulnerability, and the exploration of all facets of modern masculinity”
Bristol 24/7
“Forty or more men of all ages and abilities turned up and Seamas started to turn us into a choir. I got to know, and sing with, a bunch of blokes who I would never otherwise have met. We did vigorous warm-ups, played silly games, laughed a lot, learned a whole new range of songs, and over the next two years morphed into performing in public at some memorable gigs, including the Port Elliott festival.
After covid lockdown it was great to meet up again and have the choir to focus on. He also initiated Men are Talking, a great idea, to enable us to explore being a man and masculinity and share anxieties in a safe space.”
Tim Brighton
“I never thought I’d relish hanging out with a big bunch of men. I never thought a large group of men could be so vulnerable, silly, kind and emotional together. Every practice and gig has taught me something new about men, art, music, listening and being more alive. It has felt like a big, mad adventure full of silliness, laughing, hugs and learning songs.
“Seamas’ concept of community art that is non-transactional, inclusive and beneficial - that exists for people to come together and have fun - has been super inspiring.”
Matt Johnson 45
