St. John's Church, Bolling Road, Ben Rhydding, Ilkley

This is a small informal group for mixed voices. There are 10 members at present and all our repertoire is acapella. We enjoy singing all sorts of songs and rounds and often try out repertoire that Keely takes to her Heart & Soul Singing Retreats. New members are always welcome. No auditions, just enthusiasm!

Monday (fortnightly in term time), 7.30pm - 9pm

Unitarian Chapel, 31 High St, Warwick, CV34 4AX

Heart of England Companions are part of a growing UK wide network offering singing for the end of life.

We have monthly learning circles where we have a heart sharing – a moment where we explore aspects of grief and coming to terms with death, plus learning bits about each other’s lives so we can know each other better and trust one another.

We learn a small dedicated repertoire of songs to offer as a free service to those nearing the end of life.

It is not a choir in the sense that we aren’t performing, but we learn songs to a high standard so we are able to sing them in groups of no more than 4 people.

Thursday evenings 7.30 - 9.30pm

St Mary de Crypt Church, Southgate St, Gloucester GL1 1TP

We have a friendly and relaxed approach and enjoy a wide variety of world and contemporary songs. Our aim is enjoyment, building vocal confidence and friendship.
Occasionally we take our songs out into the community and get together with The Friday Morning Choir.
We always welcome new singers – no experience necessary.

Singers say: ” Singing in the choir is great fun and uplifting, life- enhancing- a complete buzz.”

Tuesday evenings in term time
7.30- 9 pm

Telegraph Hill Centre, Kitto Road, London, SE14 5TY

Here at Heart Song Collective, we’ve moved beyond the traditional “choir” set-up as a way of singing together, and into something more flowing, less formal, more inclusive, and totally focused on how it FEELS to sing (rather than what we sound like). No sheet music, no rehearsals, no performances: just weekly evening sessions of relaxed and heart-centred singing, playful connection and nervous-system-nourishment via simple, soulful music and community. You are always in choice in these sessions: stand or sit; stillness or movement; choose the voice part or parts which FEEL most pleasurable to sing. The human voice dances far beyond the gender-binary.

As well as having a nourishing and enjoyable experience, you will pick up professional voice tips for greater ease and confidence with singing, co-regulate your nervous system with the others in the room, and maybe even experience a human voice soundbath! (they’re super scrummy). The songs we’ll sing are especially composed for this kind of community singing by members of the Natural Voice Network, with themes of nature, what it is to be human, some World music and some gently spiritual (but not religious) themes. You can watch videos of the Song Leader singing some of them here on our website. Some are fun and playful and upbeat, some are more mellow and meditative.

Song Medicine session outline:

🟊 7.15pm doors open and registration
🟊 7.30pm begin with group check-in
🟊 physical and vocal warm-ups
🟊 learn and sing a song in 2/3/4 part harmony, a call & response or a round
🟊 tea break
🟊 learn and sing another song (or two)
🟊 group closing circle, share & check-out
🟊 9.30pm close (& those who wish to socialise together head to a local watering hole)

All the exercises, shares and songs are optional, so you are in choice throughout the evening. Take time out if you want, go to the loo when nature calls, sit on a chair or the floor or stand depending on what is most comfortable for you; choose more personal space during the circles, sing with your eyes open or shut… you know yourself and your needs best, so you choose how to take part. You can’t get it wrong, and your choices and boundaries will be honoured and valued.

Please note: These are alcohol and substance sober events.

About the Song Leader:

Assamiya (pronounced A-sa-mee-a, she/her pronouns) is an experienced professional classical singer, choir coach, workshop leader and trauma-informed transformational coach. She has a Holistic Singing Teaching practice in Brockley (SE4), facilitates singing workshops across the UK for festivals and community gatherings, and is an active, sex-positive LGBTQIA+ ally and climate activist.

Assamiya is passionate about singing, wellbeing and community, and is making it her mission to spread the practice of Song Medicine across the UK, helping people reclaim their voices, nourishing their nervous system and having fun!

Thursday evenings in term time, 7.30-9.30pm