Valley Voice Choir
Who can join Valley Voice - you can!
We are an inclusive choir, welcoming members aged 18+ of any ability - no experience is necessary!You don’t need to be able to read music and there are no auditions - just come along and join in. We sing four part harmony of soprano, alto, tenor and bass.
If you’re not sure where you might fit in, our musical director, Deb, will help you find your place - and if you need to change to another part, you can!
We have members with the full breadth of experience - some who have sung in choirs previously and others who joined us as newcomers.
We provide music and access to a website where members can listen to their ‘part’ (SATB) if they prefer to learn the piece by listening. And many members learn their parts from their more experienced colleagues.
Rehearsal schedule and location
We rehearse on Tuesday evenings during school term time, from 7.30-9.00pm at the Cottingham CofE Primary School, on Berry Field Road, Cottingham, Market Harborough, LE16 8XY.Members arrive in good time to help put out the chairs and get set up. At 7.30 Debbie raises her hand to indicate that we are ready to start and leads us in ‘warm-up’ exercises for 15-20 minutes. This helps to get shake off the cobwebs and get our vocal chords ready for singing.
We usually rehearse one or two piece in detail, perhaps running through one or two others that we have already learned to keep them practised.
We have a break in the middle of the session, when we might have cakes and biscuits if someone is having a birthday!
Our rehearsals finish promptly at 9.00pm, when everyone puts their chair away before leaving.
Signing up - becoming a member of Valley Voice
The only qualification for joining Valley Voice is that you want to!We invite prospective members to come to two free ‘taster sessions’ before making a decision to join.
Our membership fee is £16 per calendar month, which members pay by Standing Order. Although we only meet during term time, the fees are spread across the year.
Our membership subscriptions meet our expenses, which include: the purchase of copyright music, folders, name badges, website development, professional fees, venue hire, insurance and our membership of the National Association of Choirs.
Why not come and join us? Get in touch with us here.
The choir is great fun and fantastic mood lifter. Even if I don’t feel like going out in the cold, I always come home feeling energised and glad that I made the effort, no matter how hard Debs has worked us.
Mags, soprano
Choir has helped me so much these past two and a half yers. Built my confidence and given me back something to focus on and look forward to every week, it’s helped my mental wellbeing so much during difficult times.
Kerry, soprano
Singing is such a feel good activity and Debbie makes it so much fun. I joined Valley Voice because of her enthusiasm and encouragement to all whatever your standard of singing. Look forward to it every week.
Kathy, alto
I have always wanted to sing (don’t have the best voice!!). I joined Valley Voice through a friend. I have been made very welcome, really looking forward to progressing and enjoying singing.
Linda, alto
Tuesday evenings are “me time” when I get to see my lovely choir family and sing my heart out. It’s good for my physical and mental health.
Angela, alto
We moved to the area recently to be nearer family as we get older. I joined the choir to meet a few locals and enjoy singing. It is a friendly group of people with a good atmosphere.
Peter, bass
Singing with others to a good standard is joyful.
John, bass
Joining a choir was on my ‘bucket list’ when I retired because I love to sing, even though I don’t read music and am not a great singer! One Christmas I saw Valley Voice singing at East Carlton Park in support of Corby Mind and was struck by how lovely the carols sounded and how much the choir seemed to be enjoying it - but most of all, their ‘conductor’ (Debbie) who is brilliant! I learn best by listening to the other, more accomplished bass singers and by listening to the online music files that are available to choir members - which allow me to practise and learn at home. I was made very welcome because the only ‘qualification’ for joining is that you want to sing!
Brian, bass