Spring is in the air for Stokes Singers as we look forward to marking the 25th anniversary of our choir later in 2018, writes Sue Callow, publicity officer.

Several new members have joined us and we enjoyed a quiz evening and a visit to Crossbow Singers at Frampton Cotterell to share one of their rehearsals.  Nick Breeze, who founded the choir in 1993, has been back to lead one of our regular Thursday evenings at Coniston Community Centre and we’re working hard with our musical directors Phil and Sian on a selection of songs with a celebratory feel to entertain our audiences.

A first for us this year is a performance at Temple Meads Station on Saturday 24th March as part of Youth Music’s ‘Give a Gig’ fundraiser.  Temple Meads is one of ten major railway stations to host a musical event and Stokes Singers will be one of many local choirs entertaining travellers and raising some vital funds.

Youth Music is a national charity investing in music-making projects for children and young people facing challenging circumstances.  They believe everyone should have the chance to make music.  Their projects help young people develop musically but they also have personal and social outcomes too.  Those facing difficulties – economic problems, lifelong conditions, tough circumstances or behavioural issues – are often the ones who get the most out of music-making.

Each year more than 350 Youth Music projects are happening across England. That’s around 75,000 children and young people regularly making music.  In our area, Youth Music is supporting projects at Knowle West Media Centre and Redcliffe Children’s Centre and Nursery and we’re very pleased to be involved.

If you’d like to try making some music and singing in harmony, why not come along to our weekly rehearsals at Coniston Community Centre, Patchway.  We meet on Thursdays during term-time, from 7.30pm until 9.30pm, and our membership secretary Liz (01454 614148) would be happy to give you more information.  There are no auditions and your first two rehearsals are free of charge whilst you get to know us.

A date for your diary is our own Summer Concert on Saturday 7th July at the Church of Christ the King, Bradley Stoke, which will feature some special guests and possibly a birthday cake!

Photo: Stokes Singers join Crossbow Singers at Frampton Cotterell.

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Last year (2017) ended on a high for Stokes Singers with a trio of events to celebrate the festive season, writes Sue Callow, publicity officer.

At Poplars Farm Shop, the choir sang to entertain shoppers and attracted some young supporters to accompany our songs by playing Jingle bells. Delicious samples of the food and drink sold in the shop went down very well too!

Our Christmas Concert at the Church of Christ the King, Bradley Stoke was a sell-out and our guests, the Barn Ringers from Downend, added a very special feel to the evening with beautiful arrangements of carols and songs. Thanks to the generosity of the audience, £400 was collected for Thornbury based charity Brain Tumour Support and Julie Harvey, who is currently being supported by the organisation, was able to explain how funds are used to help patients and their families.

A return visit to Southmead Hospital for the Christmas Buskathon was our final performance of the year. Singing in the atrium of the Brunel Building is an amazing experience and we were pleased to support the hospital’s Prostate Cancer Appeal whilst entertaining passing staff, patients and visitors.

The choir have completed 13 of the 25 events that celebrate our forthcoming 25th birthday next summer. Our calendar for early 2018 is filling up and already includes an outdoor performance at Temple Meads Station in March. We would love to welcome some new members to share the fun when weekly rehearsals re-start on Thursday 4th January at 7.30pm. We meet at Coniston Community Centre, Patchway and our membership secretary Liz can give you further information on 01454 614148. There are no auditions and the first two rehearsals are free of charge.

More: Photo from the Christmas Concert »

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Local community choir Stokes Singers were delighted to be part of a very special day when their musical director Philip Lawrence married choir member Rebecca Amery. The happy couple met at weekly rehearsals and soon found that they were very much in tune. Singing at their autumn wedding was the tenth event of the choir’s Sing 25 challenge and proved a happy occasion for all involved.

As the festive season approaches, the choir are putting the finishing touches to the next performance. Their Christmas concert ‘Bring a Silver Jingle’ takes place on Saturday 9th December at 7.30pm at Church of Christ the King, Mautravers Close, Bradley Stoke, BS32 8EE. Special guests will be the Barn Ringers from Lincombe Barn, Downend, who bring their own unique brand of handbell and chime music. If you like to sing along there will be an opportunity to join in traditional carols and the programme will include music for all tastes. Interval refreshments will be in aid of the nominated charity Brain Tumour Support, which is based in Thornbury and offers support to families throughout the area. Tickets (adult £5; child 5-16 years £2) will be available on the door or in advance from choir members or Liz on 01454 614148.

In the new year, weekly rehearsals will re-start on Thursday 4th January at 7.30pm at Coniston Community Centre, Patchway. It will be a big year for the Singers as they celebrate their 25th birthday in the summer, and January is a great time to start something new. Musical directors Sian Walters and Philip Lawrence would love to welcome new voices to the choir for the busy schedule which already includes a performance at Temple Meads Station in the spring. Membership secretary Liz can give you further information on 01454 614148. There are no auditions and the first two rehearsals are free of charge.

Photo: Stokes Singers celebrate the marriage of their musical director Philip Lawrence and fellow choir member Rebecca Amery.

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Local community choir, Stokes Singers, were delighted to share the stage with guests Apollo Wind Band at their October concert. The evening was timed to coincide with ‘Voices for Hospices Day’ and raised over £150 for St Peter’s, Bristol’s only adult hospice. Lisa Kimpton, community fundraiser for St Peter’s, shared news of the recently launched ‘Room to Care Appeal’ which will fund the building of more individual rooms. A great mix of music and song resulted in an entertaining evening and the choir and band hope to work together again.

The concert was the ninth event in the Sing 25 challenge which is currently keeping the choir busy. Stokes Singers are aiming to take part in 25 singing opportunities in the run up to the choir’s 25th birthday next summer.

“On Saturday 25th November we’ll be welcoming the festive season by singing at Poplars Farm Shop at Frampton Cotterell,” says publicity officer Sue Callow. “Then our Christmas concert will be at the Church of Christ the King, Bradley Stoke on Saturday 9th December at 7.30pm. On both occasions we’ll be raising funds for the Thornbury based charity Brain Tumour Support. Also in December, the choir will return to Southmead Hospital for the Christmas Brunel Buskathon.”

Musical directors Sian Walters and Philip Lawrence would love to welcome some new voices to the choir and there is currently room for more singers in all sections. Men or ladies with lower voices would be particularly welcome to join the baritones. Regular Thursday evening rehearsals are at 7.30pm at Coniston Community Centre, Patchway and Liz, our Membership secretary, can give you further information on 01454 614148. There are no auditions and the first two rehearsals are free of charge.

If you’re not ready to sing just yet, why not come to the Christmas concert and introduce yourself to the choir whilst you get into the Christmas mood?

This article originally appeared in the November 2017 issue of the Bradley Stoke Journal news magazine (on pages 45). The magazine is delivered FREE, EVERY MONTH, to 9,500 homes in Bradley Stoke, Little Stoke and Stoke Lodge. Phone 01454 300 400 to enquire about advertising or leaflet insertion.

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