Maryam Ghaffari started GotSoul Choir (a charity registered in Scotland) in 2012. She was ‘between jobs’ and at a low ebb and her marriage was in trouble. Rather than roll over and play the victim, she conceived the idea of the choir as one of a series of positive changes in her life. I meet her six years later in her pleasant Edinburgh house.
She is charming and affable as ever but clearly, she leads a very busy life. She looks happy on it. The choirs in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee and soon, in Fife too, are hugely popular and have appeared on national TV. Maryam herself is currently appearing as a judge on BBC’s new talent show ‘All Together Now’.
She is charming and affable as ever and looks relaxed as she answers my questions.
-
Are you Scotland’s biggest choir organisation?
To be honest I really don’t know the answer to that. I am glad to see so many choirs and singing groups up and down the country. It proves that singing is a universal and natural way of self-expression. It pretty much ticks all the boxes! What could be more life affirming than an activity which promotes good health for the mind, body and soul? Singing provides a break from our day-to-day concerns and the way we breathe when we sing is super beneficial for the heart and lungs. The numerous benefits of singing in choirs is very well documented, I suppose basically being in a choir helps people bond, feel connected and part of a meaningful community.
-
How many people in total sing in the choirs?
When it first started at our first session we had eight members. Bearing in mind that Got Soul is always expanding, and numbers change, the last figures I’m aware of was over four hundred.
-
How many gigs so far? Will it get bigger?
I casually asked the oracle, ie our administrative coordinator Lisa Towers, do you remember how many gigs we’ve done? In less than 15 minutes she came back with this staggering reply: “we have done, (are you ready for this?), fifty-three booked gigs and sixteen medium to large-scale concerts.” So, sixty-nine gigs in total, with our first gig in December 2012. That really surprised me because when you’re in the throes of something, you kind of lose track. With this record, it isn’t a question of will it get bigger, it’s how big will it get? I guess when you make it your endeavour to live life as a builder working for The Architect, the answer would be – who knows? It’s exciting, so watch this space.
-
All Together – was it fun, would you do it again, will it help your work?
Yes, yes and yes! The show was very much fun indeed, however the ethos of the show was very appealing to me; getting everyone singing all together. As I understand it, All Together Now is about nothing but singing, performance and connection. It involves no back-sob stories or the promise of a huge record deal. It is more about the power of connecting with others through singing which leaves people feeling touched, moved and inspired. The way I would hope for it to help my work is for it to give Got Soul the Charity, more exposure. I believe the show was a perfect platform for Got Soul since its charitable purpose is to connect people and bring them out of loneliness and isolation through soul music and participation in a vibrant, supportive and encouraging community. If the programme makers continue with further series I would love to be part of it again.
– Your background – you are a trained nurse, psychotherapist and singer/performer as I understand it. Wow – anything else?
Haha, as it happens I am also a qualified higher education teacher. Back in the eighties when I began my professional life, I found it very difficult to stick to just doing one thing. I gave myself such a hard time for this. I was unaware of the new trend of portfolio working starting to emerge back then. So unbeknownst to myself, I was part of a new wave of professionals and in particular, for young women. I continue to follow and pursue my passion in whatever field.
-
How does your training help your present work?
I feel as though all my training and education has brought me to this point of doing what I do. The common denominator in all my professional life has been working with people. Music has been like a second skin to me and has never been separated from me. So, mix in all the other training I have done, and it really is no surprise I do what I do.
-
What do you do in your spare time? How do you relax?
Spare time?? Ha ha ha, what spare time! Well, over the last few years I have become a bit of a gardening fiend! I spend every minute I can in my garden come rain or shine. There’s always something to do and admire in the garden. I find it very relaxing and therapeutic. The other thing I love doing is cooking for my friends when I can. My friends mean a lot to me, so I see them and spend time with them as much as possible.
-
Favourite movie? Favourite singer / songs?
I always find answering this question difficult – it’s like as soon as I’m asked it, I suddenly forget every movie I’ve watched. There are films that I like watching again like the ‘Green Mile’ which tells the story of the life of the lead character played by Tom Hanks as a death row corrections officer during the U.S. Great Depression, and the supernatural events he witnessed. The other genre of movies or documentaries that I love, love, love is science fiction related to astrophysics, astronomy and space etc. A film I watched twice at the cinema and a few more times at home, plus every single documentary that was available, was ‘Interstellar’ which is set in a dystopian future where humanity is struggling to survive.
Hmmmm, favourite singer – well I like many singers from different genres of music. My favourite genre is soul or a soulful delivery of a song. One of the UK soul legends that I have loved since day dot is Mica Paris. I just absolutely love her voice and vocal agility. Listening to her pull off the most extraordinary vocal acrobatics is utterly thrilling. Needless to say, when we at Got Soul had her as our guest vocalist, dueting with her at Edinburgh’s Usher Hall was just the most magical moment of my life.
Oh jeez too many songs to choose one as my favourite – let me think…. Nope there really is far too many… sorry!
-
Your comments on Edinburgh and the Scottish Arts and Entertainment scene generally.
When it comes to brilliant cultural happenings, Scotland is known for epic events such as The Fringe Festival and the colossal Hogmanay street party. Then there is Hidden Door 23rd May to 5th June, which is an “arts organisation which aims to open-up urban spaces as a platform for new and emerging artists, musicians, theatre makers, film makers and poets”. Oh, and the jazz festival that runs for a couple of weeks in July. Let’s not forget the Doors Open Days, which is Scotland’s largest free festival that offers free access to over a thousand venues across the country’s heritage buildings, new and old, to people living and visiting Scotland throughout September, every year. I guess what I’m trying to say is Scotland has a huge appetite for all things art and culture and I love living here.!
GotSoul Choirs are open to everybody and nobody is turned away. Members love not only the singing but the friendship and the social life that goes with it.
It’s a pity you don’t have a donate button! I’d definitely donate to this brilliant blog!
I guess for now i’ll settle for bookmarking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account.
I look forward to brand new updates and will talk about this website with my Facebook group.
Talk soon!
Hi there, thank you for the kind words. You can donate using PayPal and the email is: [email protected]
Any update. I can’t seem to find anything more recent on Got Sour or Maryam! How is she doing? Is she still working with EdnburghGotSoul?