Location
Leeds, West Yorkshire
Leeds, West Yorkshire
I lead community choirs for beginner and experienced singers, I write and arrange songs
I have had over 15 years’ experience of leading community singing groups. My passion is to ensure people have fun, develop confidence, improve technique and perform joyfully. I set up and run two choirs weekly in Leeds. I am committed to inclusion and equality.
Free Range is for singers with some experience, and people can choose to learn by ear or use sheet music. We sing many of my own compositions and arrangements.
Harmony is a multi-racial choir that gives a warm welcome to people seeking asylum, refugees, and beginner or experienced singers. It is free for people on very low income, and all learning is by ear.
I sometimes run one-off workshops for local good causes, I love leading street singing for protests, and am happy to provide cover for other local singing leaders.
I am happy to share music I write or arrange and will soon have a website where you can access it.
Free Range has carved out its own special place in the Leeds choir scene over the last 15 years.
We are a friendly group, currently about 20, mixed genders and ages. We welcome and value diversity. We have some members who read music and others who don’t. We don’t audition and like performing.
Our musical tastes are eclectic including popular, gospel/blues, choral, and songs from other countries. But what marks us out are Frances’ original and thought-provoking compositions and arrangements.
In the past we have enjoyed creating our own productions with song and narrative: Sing Freedom (apartheid South Africa), Courage & Conscience ( WW1 Conscientious Objectors), and Cruel Britannia (whose history do we value?)
Things our members say about us: ‘committed and supportive group’ ‘good rapport, friendly people, cohesive’ ‘right level of challenge’ ‘interesting and diverse performance opportunities’ ‘ambitious about singing and performing well’
Tuesday evenings 7.30-9pm
Harmony is a vibrant and welcoming community choir open to all, regardless of singing experience.
We are varied ages, genders, sexualities and ethnicities, and we particularly welcome people seeking asylum or refugees. Currently our youngest member is 3 months and oldest is 95.
Our songs have positive themes, we learn everything by ear, and we are often invited to perform locally. Members sometimes teach songs in varied languages. The aims of our singing sessions are: fun, learning to sing well, friendship and togetherness.
Those who can, pay £5 a week or £20 a month by standing order, those who can’t pay what they can afford. People seeking asylum come free and get their bus fares reimbursed.
You are very welcome to come and give us a try!
Thursday evenings 6-7.30pm
