So it’s September, the time of year when anyone who has anything to do with education gets ready to renew. There’s something more poignant for me about September than there is about January… In January everything is sleeping, no one wants to go out of the house, it’s cold and normally skint! (Don’t get me wrong, apart from the skint bit I love January!)

So September is where we can start new hobbies with enthusiasm and get in to them before winter strikes. So why not? Choir are great, but you already knew that I bet.

The photo on this post is me in Tofino, British Columbia. I’m sharing it not because I like the photo but because I was about to try something new… a trip on a sea plane. I loved it. Join a choir… you might love it too.

Monday Morning – Tarset Song Reivers – Tarset Village Hall
10.00-11.30am
We sing a mixture of fun repertoire including folk songs, gospel songs, pop songs. We sometimes stop for coffee and cake, and we always laugh as much as we sing. And because we sing in the round we get to hear the sound we create, we sound good.
This choir is open to people who have never sung before and those with all levels of experience. We mostly sing in four parts and learn by ear, I do give notation when I have it but I’ll never expect anyone to be able to read it straight off.

Monday Evening – Tynedale Community Choir – St Aidan’s Church Hall, Hexham
8.00-9.30pm
Tynedale Community Choir has about 70 members. We sing for ourselves and occasionally do performances. We learn by ear, though when notation is available I will hand it out. Our members are very sociable with an optional trip to the pub after each session. The repertoire is very mixed, usually including some folk songs as they’re my favourites. We’re a solid four part choir with a really good tenor and bass section.
Anyone is welcome to join us, if you’d like more information please contact tynecomchoir@gmail.com and speak to Neil or Stephen.

Tuesday Morning – Sing Morpeth – St James’ Community Centre, Morpeth
10.30-12noon

I was this choirs first leader many years ago and have recently taken them back as Bridie has moved on to pastures new. There are about 100 of them in each session. They have a cracking sense of humour and love to sing their hearts out. Those who like a cup of tea come about 10.15 and we sing straight through from 10.30 to 12pm. Most often in four parts we enjoy a huge variety of repertoire especially ones that allow us to really sing out. Most people like to have the notation though I (Kathryn) try to sneak a few learnt by ear… it’s good for our musicality!

Wednesday Evening – West End Voices – St James’ Church, Benwell
7.00-8.30pm
This choir started in 2012 and we have about 20-25 members. We sing in a round in a church hall with beautiful acoustics. Lots of members come at about 6.45pm to grab a cup of tea or coffee before we start singing at 7o’clock. The repertoire is varied and fun and we have a wonderful tenor and bass section, in fact West End Voices is a beautifully balances choir. Anyone is welcome, and this choir is donation based. If you can only afford 50p that is fine, if you can afford £5 that’s great. We are very keen that money is not a barrier to this hobby.

So those are my choirs, I love leading all of them. Each has it’s own personality quirks and I really enjoy that. If you’ve got any questions don’t hesitate to drop me a message using the contact tab.