Location
Frome
Frome
Community choirs: Frome, Mere, Trowbridge
Singing with dementia: Bradford on Avon, Westbury
When I was a child, I always wanted to sing in a band, preferably an all-girl band called “The Beach Girls”. As I young adult, I did get my wish of singing in a band. After five years of songwriting, recording, touring the country in dodgy transits, 80s crimes against hair and fashion, etc, with a lot of life experience but not a great deal of success, we called it a day.
I then had a variety of jobs: cleaner, futon seller, window dresser, and later teacher of English as a second language, all the while continuing to perform in bands, most notably Bait, the Lilac Time’s big brother.
Since 1995 I have been happily settled in Frome. Although initially known as motheroftwins, I am now better known as singinglady. I began teaching singing and musicianship in schools, based on the Kodaly technique. I love a bit of doh-re-mi. And those are all valid scrabble words too.
Currently I run three choirs: Jackdaws Songbirds in Frome, Shreen Harmony in Mere, and Sounding It Out in Trowbridge. I also lead two singing groups for adults living with dementia, in Bradford-on-Avon and Westbury, and I sing with children in Sutton Veny primary school.
I love discovering songs and writing arrangements to suit each group, and then hearing how the singers bring the song to life.
I know I should really have a hobby away from music, but I am a useless gardener. In my spare time, I’m a singer and songwriter with local band Three Corners, and I also sing with the Terry Hill big band.
I am forever indebted to Mannie Burn, Maureen Lehane-Wishart, Rasullah Clarke, and Fay Caley for showing me the way.
Jackdaws Songbirds are a friendly, informal choir who meet weekly during term time to sing together in a relaxed environment. There are three groups to suit all! These groups are part of the Jackdaws Music Education Trust.
There are no auditions, and no previous singing or music experience is required. Songs are taught by ear. Our aim is to enjoy singing together in harmony and to explore different types of music: traditional, modern and songs from other countries. We occasionally get all three groups together for informal performances in the local area.
The groups meet in Frome:
Monday Afternoon: 1.30 – 2.45pm at Rise, Whittox Lane, Frome.
You are most welcome to bring your babies, pre-schoolers and toddlers to the Monday session! We sing for an hour, parents and carers are welcome to bring toys for the toddlers to play with. We don’t expect pre-schoolers to be quiet, and we don’t expect full attention from parents! In a typical session, children may play on their own for a bit, require some attention for a bit, and may even listen in now and then. At 2.30pm the toys are cleared away and we sing a few songs with the children.
Tuesday Teatime: 5p– 6.30pm at Trinity Church Hall, Trinity Street, Frome. All ages from 13 years are welcome.
Wednesday Evening: 7.30 – 9.00pm at Selwood Academy, Berkley Road, Frome. All ages from 16 years are welcome.
Monday 1.30 - 2.30pm
Tuesday 5 - 6.30pm
Wednesday 7.30 - 9pm
Shreen Harmony were started by fantastic choir leader and music practitioner Helen Porter way back in 1998. Since 2006 the choir has been run by Caroline Radcliffe.
We sing a variety of musical genres from soul and pop to folk, classical, and songs from other countries, in English and other languages. All songs are unaccompanied and taught by ear. Our sessions are fun and informal, but we also strive to sing to a good standard, and take great pleasure in performing at various events in the local area throughout the year.
Thursday evening 7.30pm - 9pm, term times
Sounding It Out was established by legendary Wiltshire singing leader Candy Verney in 2008. Candy moved to Ireland in 2015 to start a singing centre in Ireland: since then, the group has been led by Caroline Radcliffe.
We are a friendly crowd, with singers coming from all over west Wiltshire, Bath and Bristol. We come from a diversity of musical backgrounds. Some have never sung before, while others have lots of experience: we embrace everyone! We have a good deal of fun, as well as working on a high standard of performance. We sing a range of songs: modern, traditional, and songs from other countries.
We love to perform! You can hear us at charity, community and other events in Wiltshire, Bath and beyond. We occasionally host choirs from other countries, as well as make return visits. We hosted a choir from Czech Republic in October 2013, and made a return trip in Oct 2014. We visited a choir in Mallorca in 2018. We have at least one weekend away together during the year, and may also be seen intermittently at various skittle alleys and pubs in the local area.
Monday evenings from 7.30 - 9.30pm, term times
