After a well-earned summer break, Stokes Singers are keen to tune up for the start of our new season when weekly rehearsals start again on Thursday 5th September.

Singing is what brings us all together, writes founder member Sue Callow, and we can’t wait to meet up and get going. I really miss my singing family and it will be good to see everyone again and catch up on the news.

Singing is frequently in the media these days. The Sing Up Foundation (singupfoundation.org) reports that singing lowers cortisol and relieves stress and tension, as well as boosting confidence. Singing is a mindful activity as it needs you to switch off from your busy thoughts and focus totally on what you’re doing.

Singing is also a great social activity which creates a strong sense of community, and learning a new skill is a proven way to keep the brain in good shape.

Singing strengthens the immune system so it could be the perfect way to ward off those bugs that come with the cooler weather and, as an aerobic activity, it increases overall health. It sounds like an all-round winner!

If you love to sing and would like to give a community choir a try, why not come along to a Stokes Singers rehearsal? Our current venue is Coniston Community Centre in Patchway, which is a welcoming, accessible building with free car parking right outside.

We’re very fortunate to have not one but two talented musical directors who are a great partnership. Sian Walters and Philip Lawrence are both trained teachers and professional musicians and, although their styles are very different, they work well together to make rehearsals fun but challenging. They both have a wealth of knowledge of singing techniques and are able to offer advice to both experienced and novice singers on how to get the best from your voice.

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Things are warming up for our community choir as we move from spring into summer and our programme fills up, writes Sue Callow of Stokes Singers.

Our Singing Workshop at the end of April brought together 50 voices, including those new to part singing, and members of Stokes Singers, Crossbow Singers, Bradley Stoke Community Singers and the Good Afternoon Choir at Yate. Three songs in three-part harmony were taught by three musical directors and lots of cake was eaten, so it was a very enjoyable afternoon. Photos can be seen on the website www.stokessingers.org.uk and we hope to repeat this event later in the year with room for more participants to join us.

At the time of writing, we’re planning music for our set at the annual Stoke Gifford Fête on Bank Holiday Monday 27th May. Then, on Thursday 13th June, we’ll be at Southmead Hospital from 7pm until 7.45pm as part of the Brunel Buskathon which raises funds for the hospital’s charity. The atrium has amazing acoustics and our musical directors Sian and Phil love the opportunity to perform there. It’s always good to see some friendly faces as patients, staff and visitors stop for a while to listen.

The biggest event of the summer for us is our own concert which will be at the Church of Christ the King, Bradley Stoke BS32 8EE on Saturday 29th June. ‘Summer Serenade’ is a mix of music ranging from gentle melodies to lively show tunes and we are looking forward to performing the songs we’ve been working on. Doors will open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start.

Stokes Singers have chosen St Mungo’s as the charity to receive donations from interval refreshments. St Mungo’s is a national charity “working together to fight homelessness and change someone’s life”. In Bristol, it runs rough sleeper outreach services and a range of housing and support services. Their representative will explain more about their work during the evening. More information is also available at www.mungos.org

Advance tickets for ‘Summer Serenade’ at £5 for adults and £2.50 for ages 5-16 are on sale at the start of June from choir members or from Gillian on the Stokes Singers number 07486 570910 – please note this is a new number and be prepared to leave a message. There will also be tickets available on the night at £6 for adults and £3 for children.

We look forward to seeing you at an event soon!

Photo: Singing Workshop at the end of April.

This article originally appeared in the June 2019 issue of the Bradley Stoke Journal magazine (on page 35). The magazine is delivered FREE, EVERY MONTH (except August), to ALL 8,700 homes in Bradley Stoke. Phone 01454 300 400 to enquire about advertising or leaflet insertion.

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Stokes Singers are putting the finishing touches to the programme for this year’s Christmas concert and we’re all set to entertain, writes Sue Callow.

‘Sing Noel’ on Saturday 8th December sees us returning to the Church of Christ the King, Bradley Stoke with a mix of traditional and modern music including a keyboard solo from Phil Lawrence and opportunities to sing along under the baton of Sian Walters.

Oldland Brass Ensemble, led by Bob Lavis, are our special guests. With cornets, flugelhorn, tenor horn, euphonium and bass they will play music ranging from ‘Mozart to Modern’ especially arranged by Bob.

Our chosen charity for the evening is Parkinson’s UK, which works to change attitudes and find a cure for this progressive neurological condition. Donations made for interval refreshments will help to secure their programme of support and information for those diagnosed with Parkinson’s, their families and carers.

Advance tickets at £5 for adults and £2.50 for children (5 -16 yrs) are available from choir members and from Liz on 01454 614148. Some tickets will be sold on the door at £6 and £3 but please buy early to be sure of your seat. Doors will open at 7.00pm for the 7.30pm performance.

Our Christmas concert is always an enjoyable evening and a chance to relax and enjoy the start of the festive season, so do come along and share in the celebrations.

If you can’t be with us on Saturday 8th, there will be a second opportunity to hear Stokes Singers perform when we are guests of Cameo Orchestra at their concert at St Barnabas’ Church, Warmley on Tuesday 11th.

For more information on our Christmas activities, please visit our website www.stokessingers.org.uk

Happy Christmas from Stokes Singers! We look forward to seeing you soon.

This article originally appeared in the December 2018 issue of the Bradley Stoke Journal magazine (on page 35). The magazine is delivered FREE, EVERY MONTH (except August), to ALL 8,700 homes in Bradley Stoke. Phone 01454 300 400 to enquire about advertising or leaflet insertion.

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By Sue Callow, Stokes Singers

We may not have started Christmas shopping just yet but Stokes Singers have a few new festive tunes in our repertoire already!

Our autumn rehearsals at Coniston Community Centre are going well and we’ve been pleased to welcome new singers who’ve quickly settled in to our 30-strong mixed choir. Our two musical directors, Phil Lawrence and Sian Walters, have chosen a great mix of traditional and modern music in preparation for our Christmas concert.

On Saturday 8th December, we’ll return to the Church of Christ the King in Bradley Stoke for our annual celebration of all things festive. We are especially pleased to confirm that our guests will be Oldland Brass who will accompany the traditional carols as well as playing their own choice of music. Founded in 2002, the ensemble is led by Bob Lavis and comprises cornets, flugelhorn, tenor horn, euphonium and bass. Such an unconventional line up demands some skilful arrangements from Bob resulting in a repertoire that covers everything from ‘Mozart to Modern’ and we look forward to welcoming the players.

Tickets will be on sale from mid-November from choir members or from Liz on 01454 614148. Our summer concert at the same venue was a sell out so please get your ticket in advance to be sure of your seat. For further information visit our website www.stokessingers.org.uk where we will soon be announcing the nominated charity for the evening.

We look forward to seeing  you soon!

This article originally appeared in the November 2018 issue of the Bradley Stoke Journal magazine (on page 39). The magazine is delivered FREE, EVERY MONTH (except August), to ALL 8,700 homes in Bradley Stoke. Phone 01454 300 400 to enquire about advertising or leaflet insertion.

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