Location
Edinburgh
Edinburgh
acapella, health, fun, refugees, international, dementia, Parkinsons, world, radical
Hi, my name is Penny Stone and I’m a songleader, teacher, singer and composer.
As a songleader and singing teacher, I have a breadth of experience working with community singing groups and radical music groups. I facilitate singing with groups of people living with shared experiences such as addiction, navigating mental health support services, and surviving violence and abuse. I also use singing to support people living with chronic health conditions such as Parkinson’s and dementia.
I am committed to working for peace and social and environmental justice, helping to free people’s voices through listening, singing, campaigning and writing. I write and perform music, as well as facilitating others music making, with the same aspiration of speaking honestly about the world around us in firm belief that another world is possible.
As a Natural Voice Practitioner, I believe that everyone can sing, and everybody has the right to use their voice. We all experience things that silence our voices in the short or long term, and as diverse and individual as our voices are, we all take different routes back to using our voices again. No-one’s voice is the same as yours, and your voice is valuable.
I run a variety of regular weekly and monthly groups, mostly in Edinburgh and Glasgow. During the Pandemic I’ve put a lot of ‘learn and sing along’ video resources up online and anyone can access these for free. You can find out more info about what I do, as well as lots of song resources for sharing here: www.singlouderthanguns.com.
As well as my regular groups, I am available for one-off workshops and scratch choirs, as well as commissions for songs. Feel free to get in touch at singlouderthanguns@gmail.com.
This group has now returned singing together in person again. Please do get in touch if you’d like to come along, as we find it useful to have a wee chat before new singers join us so you know what to expect. During the pandemic, I made weekly 45 minute singing videos for this group that are available for anyone to watch, learn and sing along with here: https://singlouderthanguns.com/health-and-music/. There are now 88 videos!
Let’s Sing are a Musselburgh based community singing group. We exist to support people living with dementia in the local community by learning acapella harmony songs together. This supports physical and cognitive wellness for all who attend, as well as creating a peer support space for those living with a diagnosis as well as their partners, family, friends and carers. We enjoy a musical challenge, singing songs from Scotland and all over the world. We also enjoy tea and biscuits!
Tuesday mornings, 11-12.30
This group are singing together again. If you want to be added to the email list for a weekly reminder, drop me a line. If you want to do some singing from home, there are now lots of short learn and singalong videos with new songs that I’ve been putting up during the pandemic. You can find the archive here: https://singlouderthanguns.com/singalong-songs/
This group does exactly what it says on the tin! We are an open group and anyone is welcome to join us on a drop-in basis, or to come every week. We learn songs by ear from around the world.
Thursday evenings, 6.30-8.30pm
This group has started singing together in person again, so do get in touch if you’d like to come along. During the pandemic, I made weekly 45 minute singing videos for this group that are available for anyone to watch, learn and sing along with here: https://singlouderthanguns.com/health-and-music/. There are now 90 videos!
We sing for fun and enjoyment as well as to exercise the vocal folds, respiratory and facial muscles. Our singing builds friendships and laughter is guaranteed! Sessions include rounds, part harmonies, traditional songs, jazz numbers, ballads and songs from around the globe. No prior singing experience is required and you don’t have to read music – songs are taught by ear. We generally sing without accompaniment but occasionally our song leaders may add a little of their choosing.
Singing4Fun is not just for people with Parkinson’s – anyone who wants to sing is welcome. Nor do you have to commit to coming every week, drop-in when you can. There is a small charge for each session.
Tuesday afternoons from 2-4pm
We have started singing together in person again. If you want to be added to the email list to get a weekly reminder, drop me a line. If you want to do some singing from home, there are now lots of short learn and singalong videos with new songs that I’ve been putting up during the pandemic. You can find the archive here: https://singlouderthanguns.com/singalong-songs/
Wildfire Women’s Choir are more of a singing community than a choir – we meet weekly, but you don’t have to come every week, just come as and when you can. We learn songs by ear from around the world, often about freedom, women’s struggles, strength and solidarity.
All women are welcome, everyone can sing! Drop in from time to time or come every week, whatever suits your life best.
Wednesday evenings, 7.30-9pm
