Location
Bradford & West Yorkshire
Bradford & West Yorkshire
Bradford Voices Community Choir- peace, justice & well-being; ‘HeartSong’ W Yorks Companions
Hi my name’s Ana & I run 2 singing groups in both Bingley & Saltaire alongside my day job as an Art Psychotherapist.
I have been leading Bradford Voices Community Choir since 2005, & before that I had been a member since 1997. I began leading HeartSong West Yorks Companions in 2020, initially online then we went live in 2021.
I began my singing life as a young child & have always been involved in some form of choir. Whilst still at school I joined Doncaster Wheatsheaf Girls’ Choir then onto moved onto choral societies as an adult. My first taste of community singing was at ‘Spiral’ camp with Roxane Smith as well as ‘Sing your socks off’ in Bristol with Dee Jaarlett & Ali Orbaum. It wasn’t until moving to Bradford that I discovered singing in community choirs, where I felt most at home. From here on I got the bug & began attending as many vocal workshops I could find, as well as vocal training with ‘Sing for Pleasure’ & the NVN. I also began attending Unicorn Voice Camp, which has been a way to replenish over the summer break & soak up some lovely singing.
I’ve also been singing in a small acapella singing group called Bradford Women Singers for around 25 years, which I’m very passionate about. My other passions are walking our dog, playing my ukulele, making art, & protesting when needed for the things I care about such as peace & justice, & the environment. These themes often get reflected in my song choices.
We are a very friendly mixed choir of all ages who come together to sing for pleasure. We were formed in 1996 with an aim of providing people the opportunity to sing and make new friends.
We sing unaccompanied and in harmony and we are particularly keen to recruit men and younger singers who are under-represented in the choir at the moment.
It is our belief that everyone has a voice and can sing, so there are no auditions; people just come along (first night is free) and sing the part where their voice feels most comfortable.
Our repertoire includes songs of peace, celebration, the environment and world music. Most of our songs are taught in either 3 or 4 part harmony, using the aural tradition of call and response, so you don’t have to be able to read music.
We do perform a few times a year and everyone is welcome and encouraged to take part but there is no pressure. We try our best for it to be an enjoyable and exciting part of choir.
Each year we try to get away on a choir residential which we use as an opportunity for choir to experience a guest leader. It’s always lots of fun and one of the highlights of our year!
Monday evenings in term time from 7-9pm
HeartSong Companion Voices of West Yorkshire are one of many Companion Voices groups around the UK. Companion Voices was founded by Judith Silver in 2014, inspired by Threshold Choirs in the States.
We are a Companion Voices group of singers based around Bingley, West Yorkshire who gather to learn songs and prepare to sing for people who are unwell or at the end of life. We share our voices, compassion and loving presence when called to sing.
Our repertoire reflects songs for people who hold religious & spiritual beliefs & people who do not & our aim is to create a soundscape that will be comforting, relaxing & undemanding, so we use simple & repetitive songs drawn from a wide range of traditions.
Our singing is not to entertain but to accompany & honour the person receiving them. We aim to give them a sense that their experience is held & acknowledged by the singers.
3rd Wednesday of the month
