top of page

CHOIR ON THE HILL MEMBERS PAGE

Welcome to the Choir on the Hill (COTH) members page.

​

We're a friendly and supportive women's community choir who meet every Thursday* from 7.30 - 9.00pm at All Saints Primary School (Upper Beulah Hill, Upper Norwood, London, SE19 3LG). 

* Check calendar for term time dates

​

The first Taster Session is free and then it's £9.00 per week thereafter. If you find this unaffordable, you may be eligible for our concessionary rate (see below for details).

​

If you have questions, feel free to ask anyone at rehearsal wearing a 'Welcome Team' badge or contact us via sing@sflcommunity.org.uk.

​

FINAL COTH logo.png

Concessions At Choir on the Hill, we're committed to removing barriers when it comes to understanding, enjoying, and participating in music. We've calculated our weekly fee to be as low as possible, however, if you find this unaffordable, you may be eligible for our concessionary rate (£4.25 which is half the standard rate). The concession membership may be helpful for those who are unwaged, on low income or receiving governmental support through benefits. We don't ask for any 'proof', however, we do ask you to let us know if your circumstances change and you become able to pay the full rate. For every person who is happy to pay the full membership rate, it means that more can go towards growing and running our amazing choir. If you need more information on this, please email us at sing@sflcommunity.org.uk.

COTH Bulletin Board

COTH Bulletin Board

 18 Apr

SONGS

This week Isolde led the rehearsal and we also had a guest host, Jess, from the Penge Chamber choir. Jess took us through our joint repertoire for the 21st performance: I Got Rhythm and The Wellerman.

​

Updated details about the performance on Sunday (including timing, location, song rep and dress code) are on the Performing page.

​

COFFEE NOTICES (our brief update before the singing starts!)

​​

  • There will be an Open Taster Session on the 16th May. We need your help with the marketing campaign to really give a strong push to recruit and retain more members. We will share details of the campaign soon but the main way you can help is to actively engage with the Facebook posts (like, comment, share), share leaflets and posters locally and speak to friends, family and contacts.

 11 Apr

SONGS

This week Chris led the rehearsal. We worked on all of the songs in our repertoire for the performance at Penge Music Festival on the 21st (see below). New recordings for the end of Shine can be found in the Lyric and Audio Library. Next week, Isolde will take us through the joint part of our repertoire with the Penge Chamber choir and the Bromley Singers - I Got Rhythm and The Wellerman.

​

COFFEE NOTICES (our brief update before the singing starts!)

​​

  • For the performance on 21st April at the Penge Music Festival, we will be singing You're the Voice, Shine, We are Family, What's Up?, Jolene and Make Your Own Kind of Music (order TBC). You can find recordings of all of these in the Lyric and Audio Library.

  • There will be a separate soprano rehearsal at Lizzy's house on Tuesday the 16th April. Please message Lizzy if you want to join and haven't already signed up. 

  • And finally a reminder that from 18 April, the rehearsal fees will increase by 50p to £9.00. Concessions are available.​

21 Mar

SONGS

This week Elspeth led the rehearsal. We worked on I Got Rhythm by George Gershwin This will be part of our joint repertoire with the Penge Chamber choir and the Bromley Singers at the Penge Music Festival. New recordings can be found in the Lyric and Audio Library. Please note - the lyric sheet needs to be updated and will be posted in the library soon. We'll also make copies available at the next rehearsal.

​

COFFEE NOTICES (our brief update before the singing starts!)

​​

  • There was a reminder to register for the performance on 21st April at the Penge Music Festival. You can find more details and the registration form on the Performing page. 

  • There will be separate soprano and alto rehearsals (soprano at Lizzy's house, alto at Vicky's) on the 9th April. More details on that to follow.

  • Another reminder that there has been an amendment to the Calendar - over Easter we will only be taking off 4th April. There will now be a rehearsal on the 11th April.

  • And finally a reminder that from 18 April, the rehearsal fees will increase by 50p to £9.00. Concessions are available.​

 13 Mar

SONGS

This week Chris led the rehearsal. We worked on The Wellerman a folk song, and What's Up by  4 Non Blondes. New recordings can be found in the Lyric and Audio Library. 

​

COFFEE NOTICES (our brief update before the singing starts!)

​​

  • There was a reminder that the performance on the 23rd March has been cancelled (see email we sent you for details).

  • The performance on 21st April at Penge Music Festival is still going ahead. You can find more details and the registration form on the Performing page. 

  • There has been an amendment to the Calendar - over Easter we will only be taking off the 4th April. There will now be a rehearsal on the 11th April.

  • There was also a reminder about the new start and end time:

    • 7.30 - 7.45 Refreshments​

    • 7.45 - 9.00 Rehearsal

  • And finally a reminder that from 18 April, the rehearsal fees will increase by 50p to £9.00. Concessions are available.​

29 Feb

SONGS

This week Elspeth led the rehearsal. We worked on We are Family by Sister Sledge and Shine by Take That. Please note there is an updated version of the We are Family lyrics in the Lyric and Audio Library. There are also some new recordings of both songs.

​

COFFEE NOTICES (our brief update before the singing starts!)

​

  • There was a reminder about our next performances and a call to register.

    • 23rd March at Beckenham's new market at Park Langley.

    • 21st April at Penge Music Festival

All details and the registration form can be found here: Performing

08 Feb

SONGS

This week Chris led the rehearsal. We worked on What's Up? by 4 Non Blondes. 

​

There are some new recordings in the Lyric and Audio Library

​

COFFEE NOTICES (our brief update before the singing starts!)

​

  • We have another performance date for the diary - 23rd March (exact timings TBC). This will be at Beckenham's new market at Park Langley. Registration details etc will be shared after half term.

  • Lizzy updated us about the performance in April in Penge which has now been confirmed as the 21st at 2.30pm (with a rehearsal before - timing TBC). This is part of the Penge Music Festival and where Penge Chamber Choir and Bromley Singers will also perform. More details and registration information to follow.

  • Next week (15 Feb) is a half term break so there will be no choir - next rehearsal will be on 22 Feb.

​

01 Feb

SONGS

This week Chris led the rehearsal. We worked on You're the Voice by John Farnham and Shine by Take That. 

​

There are some new recordings in the Lyric and Audio Library

​

COFFEE NOTICES (our brief update before the singing starts!)

​

  • Lizzy updated us about the performance in April in Penge on either the 20th or 21st. This is part of the Penge Music Festival and where Penge Chamber Choir and Bromley Singers will also perform. More details and registration information to follow. 

​

18 Jan

SONGS

This week Chris led the rehearsal. We worked on You're the Voice by John Farnham and did an initial sing through of Shine by Take That. 

​

There are some new recordings in the Lyric and Audio Library

​

COFFEE NOTICES (our brief update before the singing starts!)

​

  • Due to a number of 'technical issues' and some absences we didn't manage a full coffee notice session - however, Lizzy will be sharing news of another performance opportunity in April in Penge on either the 20th or 21st. More details to follow! 

​

Next week we'll be led by the lovely Elspeth.

7 Dec

SONGS

This week Isolde Roxby led the rehearsal. We worked on All I Want for Christmas, The Power of Love by Frankie Goes to Hollywood and Electric Dreams. 

​

There are some new recordings in the the 2 lyric library pages:

Christmas Lyric and Audio Library

Lyric and Audio Library

​

Areas we focused on:

  • All I Want for Christmas - a harmonised 'you' right at the end of the song

  • The Power of Love - sops: how to sing 'a sky scraping dove' at the end of the song + the whole song with harmonies

  • Electric Dreams - in the chorus, all the four 'ahh' notes sung together by the whole choir then on 'seems', the sops hold the note at the end of the line and altos sing 'love never ends'.

​

COFFEE NOTICES (our brief update before the singing starts!)

​

Xmas events

  • Our next event is at Horniman's Museum and Gardens on 10th December.

  • Our rehearsal will be in a space provided by Horniman's called the Nursery Cottage. Lizzy and Vicky will arrive early on the day to make sure we can give you specific details on how to find this. FYI - there isn't any parking on location but there are spaces in local streets. The nearest train station is Forest Hill which is 10/15 min walk (for the able bodied!).

  • As there are 2 performances, Hornimans have arranged a 20% discount in their cafe and we'll be able to eat our lunch during the interval back in the Nursey Cottage. There will also be time to have a look round the stalls if you want to.

  • TIMING

    • 10.45 - 11.45 - rehearsal in the Nursery Cottage

    • 11.50 - everyone not already at rehearsal arrives and we all move to performance location

    • 12.00 - 12.30 - performance no 1

    • 12.30 - 13.30 - lunch in the Nursery Cottage

    • 13.30 - 14.00 - performance no 2

 

  • The information has also now been updated on our Performing page. Please let us know if you have any questions either here or during rehearsal on Thursday.

​

  • December 15th - Stanley Arts Christmas Concert

    • We now have a new sound check time of 18:45​

​​

Set list is is as follows

  • The Power of Love

  • Your Song

  • Electric Dreams

  • Close to You 

  • Hounds of Love

  • Cosy Little Christmas

  • All I Want for Christmas is You 

  • 12 Days of Christmas

23 Nov

SONGS

This week the lovely Isolde Roxby led the rehearsal. We sang Cosy Little Christmas by Katy Perry and All I Want for Christmas by Mariah Carey. There is a recording of Cosy Little Christmas in the Christmas Lyric and Audio Library.

​

COFFEE NOTICES (our brief update before the singing starts!)

​

Xmas events

  • Our first event is at Studio Falkland Lodge on 2nd December. We have arranged separate rehearsal for altos and sopranos on Tuesday 28th Nov. The soprano rehearsal will be at Ruth Herity's house and the alto one will be at Vicky's - invites/details will be sent on WhatsApp.

  • We need volunteers to help with the following (at the Lodge by 4.30pm)

    • 2 x people to welcome guests at the front gate​

    • 2 x people to man the refreshments/food table

    • 2 x people to help refill drinks

If you have friends or relatives able to help, please let Lizzy know.

  • If you would like to contribute to the xmas baking, please let Erin know on WhatsApp​

  • We need to know how many kids are coming to the event to organise presents for Santa's grotto. A note will come out on this via WhatsApp.

​​

You can still  register for the Christmas performances (dates are listed below). You are also welcome to come along to any of the events to watch if you would prefer not to perform.

​

Next week's rehearsal

Chris and Elspeth will both be at our next rehearsal where we will run through our rep for the events. You are welcome to attend even if you are not performing over Christmas.

​

Dates for the diary

A summary of our upcoming performances + registration links have been sent out to you via email (check your SPAM folder). Our key dates are as follows:

  • December 2nd - Christmas performance at Studio Falkland Lodge. 

  • December 10th - Horniman Winter Fair

  • December 15th - Stanley Arts Christmas Concert [Our performance time which is 9pm - concert starts at 7.30].

​​

Set list is is as follows (to be fully confirmed + order TBC)

  • Your Song

  • Electric Dreams

  • Close to You 

  • Hounds of Love

  • Cosy Little Christmas

  • All I Want for Christmas is You 

  • 12 Days of Christmas

16 Nov

SONGS

This week Elspeth led the rehearsal. We sang Hounds of Love by Kate Bush and Don't Stop Me Now by Queen. There are multiple recordings of Hounds of Love - including the full song (acapella version and version with piano) as well as several of the tricky lines isolated to help with practice. You can find these in the Lyric and Audio Library.

 

COFFEE NOTICES (our brief update before the singing starts!)

​

Xmas events

There was a reminder to register for the Christmas performances (dates are listed below). For our first event at Studio Falkland Lodge, anyone who is able to bake or bring food for the evening please let Lizzy know or email sing@sflcommunity.co.uk.

​

Next week's rehearsal

Chris and Elspeth are both unable to cover next week's rehearsal so for one week only our former Rehearsal Director, Frazer Scott, will be leading. We'll be focusing on one of our Christmas songs, Cosy Little Christmas, by Katy Perry.

​

Dates for the diary

A summary of our upcoming performances + registration links have been sent out to you via email (check your SPAM folder). We would appreciate you registering asap so we know what our numbers will be. Our key dates are as follows:

  • December 2nd - Christmas performance at Studio Falkland Lodge. 

  • December 10th - Horniman Winter Fair

  • December 15th - Stanley Arts Christmas Concert [Note: we now know our performance time which is 9pm - concert starts at 7.30].

​​

Set list is is as follows (to be fully confirmed + order TBC)

  • Don't Stop Me Now

  • Your Song

  • Electric Dreams

  • Close to You 

  • Hounds of Love

  • Cosy Little Christmas

  • All I Want for Christmas is You 

  • 12 Days of Christmas

9 Nov

SONGS

This week Chris led the rehearsal. We sang Together in Electric Dreams by Georgio Moroder and Phil Oakey, and Your Song by Elton John. We also sang Mariah Carey's All I Want for Christmas is You. New recordings for All I Want for Christmas (intro and verse with tricky 4th line) have been added to the Christmas Lyric and Audio Library

 

COFFEE NOTICES (our brief update before the singing starts!)

​

Dates for the diary

A summary of our upcoming performances + registration links have been sent out to you via email (check your SPAM folder). We would appreciate you registering asap so we know what our numbers will be. Our key dates are as follows:

  • December 2nd - Christmas performance at Studio Falkland Lodge. 

  • December 10th - Horniman Winter Fair

  • December 15th - Stanley Arts Christmas Concert [Note: we now know our performance time which is 9pm - concert starts at 7.30]

2 Nov

SONGS

This week Chris led the rehearsal. We sang Together in Electric Dreams by Georgio Moroder and Phil Oakey, and Your Song by Elton John. New recordings for both of these have been added to the Lyric and Audio Library.  As we start to prepare for our Christmas performances, we also put the Queen of Xmas, Mariah Carey, on defrost and sang through All I Want for Christmas is You. 

Please note - For Your Song, the alto harmony has been slightly tweaked from the first time we did it so these recordings have been replaced/updated in the library.

​

COFFEE NOTICES (our brief update before the singing starts!)

​

Dates for the diary

A summary of our upcoming performances + registration links will be sent out shortly via email. Our key dates are as follows:

  • December 2nd - Christmas performance at Studio Falkland Lodge. 

  • December 10th - Horniman Winter Fair

  • December 15th - Stanley Arts Christmas Concert

Feedback survey, Sept 2023 - results:

Thanks to everyone who took the time to fill in the feedback survey. If you didn’t manage to contribute this time, don’t worry, there will be opportunities to do this in the future. You are also welcome to share any thoughts or concerns via email to sing@sflcommunity.org.uk or speak to someone from the choir management team at rehearsal.

​

You can look at the feedback survey results here: COTH feedback survey results.

The survey includes:

  • Details about the demographics of our choir

  • Feedback on that makes COTH so special

  • Which songs are choir favourites

  • Very helpful suggestions for how we can make our choir more accessible.

​

We’ve acted on several of your recommendations already and others will be put in place very soon. We’ll keep you up to date on this.

Thanks again for taking the time to help us make our amazing choir even better!

12 Oct

SONGS

This week Elspeth led the rehearsal. We sang Don't Stop Me Now by Queen, Can't Stop the Feeling by Justin Timberlake and Close to You by Carpenters. Recordings have been added to the Lyric and Audio Library.

Please note - new copies of all 3 songs were handed out (so that Elspeth's music and our words match correctly). These versions of the lyrics have also been loaded into the Lyric and Audio Library.

​

COFFEE NOTICES (our brief update before the singing starts!)

​

Feedback Survey

  • Thanks to everyone who took the time to fill in our members' feedback survey. The results have now been reviewed within the choir management team. A summary of the survey will be issued shortly and we'll highlight where we will make changes and where we have already acted on your suggestions. There will be opportunities to provide feedback and participate in surveys at some point in the future.

Concessions

  • Another reminder that we have now introduced a concessionary rate for members who may find our full rate unaffordable. Eligibility criteria and further details about this are outlined on the COTH landing page and within the Members page header. Please feel free to speak to a member of the management team about this if you want to know more. â€‹

Dates for the diary

A summary of our upcoming performances + registration links will be sent out shortly via email. Our key dates are as follows:

  • December 2nd - Christmas performance at Studio Falkland Lodge. 

  • December 10th - Horniman Winter Fair

  • December 15th - Stanley Arts Christmas Concert (TBC)​

5 Oct

SONGS

This week Chris was at the helm again. We sang Your Song by Elton John. Recordings have been added to the Lyric and Audio Library. .  

​

COFFEE NOTICES (our brief update before the singing starts!)

​

Dates for the diary

  • A reminder that we have added December 2nd to our diary for the Christmas performance at Studio Falkland Lodge. If there is a charity you would like to recommend we support at this event, please let the management team know or send an email to sing@sflcommunity.org.uk

  • We have also been asked to sing at Horniman Winter Fair on the 10th December.

  • Stanley Arts have also asked us to perform on the 15th December at their Christmas Concert. We are assessing numbers before we commit. Lizzy will be asking for firm confirmation of participation by 17th Oct.

  • More details on all these events will be shared closer to the time.

  • As a reminder, you can check our calendar for key dates (including term times and breaks).

28 Sept 

SONGS

This week we revisited Can You Feel the Love Tonight by Elton John,  Don't Stop Me Now by Queen and Close to You by Carpenters. New recordings of Don't Stop Me and Close to You have been added to the Lyric and Audio Library. .  

​

COFFEE NOTICES (our brief update before the singing starts!)

​

Last week, Elspeth Wilkes led her first session as Rehearsal Director. As mentioned previously,  Elspeth will be co-leading with Chris and another new Rehearsal Director, Anna Pool, who will join in November. Chris was at the helm this week and will be for the next few sessions.

 

Feedback Survey

  • The COTH feedback survey will be closing this weekend. This has been sent by email so, if you haven't received it and still want to contribute, please check your SPAM folder then let us know if it is not there. Instructions on how to complete it are in the email and at the beginning of the survey. It isn’t compulsory but we really do hope you take part and have your say. Answers will be anonymous - we want your views, and will act on everything that we are able to.

​Dates for the diary

  • A reminder that we have added December 2nd to our diary for the Christmas performance at Studio Falkland Lodge. More details will be shared closer to the time. We have also agreed to work with Stanley Arts and sing at their Christmas Fair on Dec 3. Again, we'll share more details closer to the event. As a reminder, you can check our calendar for key dates (including term times and breaks)

Concessionary Rates​

  • We have now introduced a concessionary rate for members who may find our full rate unaffordable. Eligibility criteria and further details about this are outlined on the COTH landing page and within the Members page header. Please feel free to speak to a member of the management team about this if you want to.

Song Box

  • We're collecting song suggestions. Please feel free to pop any suggestion into the song box at rehearsal.

14 Sept 

SONGS

This week we revisited Can You Feel the Love Tonight by Elton John and Together in Electric Dreams by Philip Oakey & Giorgio Moroder. An new recording of Electric Dreams has been added to the Lyric and Audio Library. We also sang We are Sailing by Rod Stewart which Chris filmed for use in a promo video.  

​

COFFEE NOTICES (our brief update before the singing starts!)

​

Feedback Survey

  • We'll be emailing out our COTH Feedback Survey tomorrow.  Please check your SPAM folder if you don't receive it then let us know if it is not there. Instructions on how to complete it are in the email and at the beginning of the survey. It isn’t compulsory but we really do hope you take part and have your say. Answers will be anonymous - we want your views, and will act on everything that we are able to.

21st September:  Elspeth starts

  • As announced by Chris last week, Elspeth Wilkes will be joining as Rehearsal Director on the 21st September (she will be co-leading with Chris and another new Rehearsal Director, Anna Pool, who will join in October).

21st September: Taster Session

  • Also on 21st September is our open Taster Session. Posters will be circulated over this weekend and there will also be ads uploaded on Instagram & Facebook - please comment and like to boost visibility.

  • We'll share the graphics on WhatsApp for your own socials too.

  • On the day itself -  we would really appreciate you looking after any newbies - make them feel welcome and included.

​Date for the diary

  • December 2nd will be the Christmas performance at Studio Falkland Lodge. More details will be shared closer to the time. As a reminder, you can check our calendar for key dates (including term times and breaks). 

Song Box

  • We're collecting song suggestions. Please feel free to pop any suggestion into the song box at rehearsal.

7 Sept 2023 - Autumn term begins

SONGS

This week we looked at Can You Feel the Love Tonight by Elton John and Together in Electric Dreams by Philip Oakey & Giorgio Moroder. Recordings and lyrics are available in the Lyric and Audio Library.

​

COFFEE NOTICES (our brief update before the singing starts!)

​​

New rehearsal directors

  • Chris is pleased to announce that this term, Elspeth Wilkes and Anna Pool will be joining to lead the choir as rehearsal directors alongside him. Some of you will remember Elspeth from our performance at Fairfield Halls in April and Anna led a very popular one-off rehearsal session with us in January. Elspeth will join from week 3 (21st Sept) and Anna from 12 October onwards. Chris will continue to attend and lead a rehearsal himself at least once a month. The repertoire will be consistent across the different rehearsal directors.

Open Taster Session: 21st September

  • We'll be holding an open Taster Session on the 21st September and, as usual, we'd love your help with distributing posters and sharing the invites on your social media.

      Key dates

  • 14/9 - we'll handout printed Taster Session posters to COTH volunteers. 
    16-17/9 - distribute posters and post on social media
    21/9 - Taster session

Please let us know if you are able to share posters, how many you need and which areas you will target.​

Additions to the Choir Management Team​

  • We have added new members to the Choir Management Team - Nomi is our Welcome Manager (taking payments on the door, looking after the register, greeting new members). Lizzy remains our Members Manager - looking after recruitment and registration - and she will also now take on the Choir Coordinator role, supporting Chris, the new rehearsal directors and the rest of the management team with the smooth running of the choir. Nomi is also looking after our Choir Socials alongside Erin, who will also continue to coordinate the baking rota. Angela is supporting Vicky with communication and design. Angela is also our point of call if you have any issues or concerns with our WhatsApp chat groups. Kathleen will be helping to coordinate our performances. If you would like be involved in the running of the choir as part of the management team, please speak to any of the above.

27 Mar

SONGS

This week we looked at Make Your Own Kind of Music by Mama Kass, Chiquitita by ABBA and Time After Time by Cyndi Lauper. Recordings and lyrics are available in the Lyric and Audio Library.

​

COFFEE NOTICES (our brief update before the singing starts!)

​

  • There was a reminder about our next performance on the 11th of June, which will be at Ralph Perring Court. Details are below. Please register if you would like to take part (register here) and any questions should be directed to Lizzy or Chris.  New members are more than welcome - we've had people do this very soon after joining before - but there is absolutely no pressure or expectation. There will be other opportunities to perform through the rest of the year.

  • Note - next week there is no choir rehearsal as it is half term. On the 8th we will run through which songs we will be singing at our performance. This will be familiar favourites as well as any of the new songs we feel most confident with. We will also schedule a separate alto rehearsal for those who would like to focus on the specific harmonies. Vicky will be in touch to organise this.

 

Ralph Perring Court  

This is a supported living centre for people who have served their community. They promote the ethos of living your retirement with/in fulfilment.

Ralph Perring Court, Stone Park Avenue, Beckenham, Kent, BR3 3LX. 

Sunday 11 June From 2pm 

Rehearsal: 12.30 @ Ralph Perring Court

 

Fill in registration form here

27 Mar

SONGS

This week we looked at Make Your Own Kind of Music by Mama Kass, 9 to 5 by Dolly Parton and Walking On Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves. We also did a refresher on Here Comes The Sun by The Beatles.

 

Recordings and lyrics are available in the Lyric and Audio Library.

​

COFFEE NOTICES (our brief update before the singing starts!)

​

  • Lizzy talked through our next performance on the 11th of June, which will be at Ralph Perring Court (the retirement home we sang at last year) . Details are below. Please register if you would like to take part (register here) and any questions should be directed to Lizzy or Chris).  

 

Ralph Perring Court  

This is a supported living centre for people who have served their community. They promote the ethos of living your retirement with/in fulfilment.

Ralph Perring Court, Stone Park Avenue, Beckenham, Kent, BR3 3LX. 

Sunday 11 June From 2pm 

Rehearsal: 12.30 @ Ralph Perring Court

 

Fill in registration form here

2 Mar

Important announcement

WE ARE MOVING

​

From the 20th of April, we will be saying goodbye to the Paxton and saying hello to our new home, All Saints Primary School, Upper Beulah Hill, Upper Norwood, SE19 3LG.  Everything else will stay the same: we'll continue to meet on Thursdays during term time at 7.15 for coffee, cake and notices, then the singing starts at 7.30 until 8.45.

​

We are announcing this now but we have several weeks until our move to answer any questions - we'll also provide additional, helpful information closer to the time of the move. 

​

Below is an update from Chris on why we’re moving, including news of an exciting new Community Music Partnership opportunity this move brings.

​

UPDATE FROM CHRIS

​

Why are we moving?

We have said for quite some time - if we found a venue that was more suitable for us than the Paxton Centre, we would consider it carefully.

​

Numbers, space and accessibility

The Paxton is a wonderful community venue that works hard to provide an inspirational home to groups like ours at an affordable rate, for which I personally will always be grateful to Beth. However, it is simply too small for a growing choir, which is borne out in the fact our numbers keep self-correcting to the high 20s.  Whilst we never want the choir to get so big it gets impersonal; this is a little on the low side compared to our days at Stanley Halls. It has also been a point of personal discomfort that the Paxton Centre is not wheelchair accessible (regardless of the ability to get into the room, I consider the indignity of having to go to the local railway station just to use the toilet to put it firmly in this category), I have had to personally turn away three choir members simply because of this fact; for a community choir, not a good look.

​

As you know, there have been so many venues that have not quite met the criteria, but at long last we have found one. Those of you who came along to the Christmas concert rehearsal will be aware of All Saints' Primary School - placed at the tip of the outer triangle, it is vaguely equidistant to all our catchment area, parking is free with all local streets unrestricted, the area is served by several local busses, and space is plentiful.

​

Community Music Partnership

Here, however, is the clincher: my fledgling organisation, the SFL Community Music Partnership, are working with the school on early plans to create a "Beacon Music School" where music will become a central focus of the school's activities and the school will become a hub of music-making for community and professional groups. We will also be working directly with teachers and parents to support children's music education, removing barriers especially from those whose talents would otherwise go unrecognized, simply because of background.  

We have a working agreement with the school that a significant share of the income from any hires the partnership bring in will go directly to the music programme.  So, you will come along, continue to pay in the way you always have, and you will directly be bringing music (which we all know is important or we wouldn't be here) to children who would otherwise be forgotten.  As our programme develops, many of the opportunities created here can be opened to other children/community groups as well so this has the ability to make a huge positive local impact; all you have to do to support it is keep turning up like you always have!

​

This venue choice aligns so strongly with everything our organisation and I stand for that, at this point, it's a no brainer and I hope you can also see why, as a venue, we consider this move, and what it stands for, so important.

​

Click on the school address above (or here) for a map of the location.

After the Easter break, we will provide more information on which entrance to use and we will have signage up at the building. Once we are at our new location, we will also make sure you know where the facilities are and show you where to get the all important coffee and cake!

 

We are really looking forward to singing in our new venue - and to welcoming old and new choir members to a great rehearsal space.

23 Feb

SONGS

This week we looked at Halo by Beyonce and One Moment in Time by Whitney Houston.

​

HALO RECORDINGS: We recorded the soprano harmony for the Halos section (without the front line) and the slightly different alto harmony for the part in the song that starts, 'Hit me like a ray of sun'. 

ONE MOMENT IN TIME RECORDING: We recorded the alto harmony for the chorus section. As a reminder, Chris has also posted a video lesson for One Moment in Time.

Recordings and lyrics are available in the Lyric and Audio Library.

​

COFFEE NOTICES (our brief update before the singing starts!)

​

  • Lizzy talked through our Crystal Palace Food Market performance on the 11th of March. Please register if you would like to take part (register here) and any questions should be directed to Lizzy or, of course, Chris!).

20 Feb

Link to Performance information and attendance questionnaire

9 Feb

SONGS

This week we looked at Halo by Beyonce and One Moment in Time by Whitney Houston.

​

We recorded the following sections of Halo:

  • Soprano: Chorus from 'You're everything I need and more'  into 'I can see your Halo' (including soprano Halos).

  • Alto: Chorus from 'Everywhere I'm looking now' into ' I can see your Halo'.

  • Alto: Halos only.

  • Alto: 'You're everything I need and more' into Halos (i.e. when to come in with the Halos for all but the front line).

Recordings and lyrics are available in the Lyric and Audio Library.

Chris will record and share some of the harmony lines for One Moment in Time.

​

COFFEE NOTICES (our brief update before the singing starts!)

​

  • Another reminder about our first Spring performance at â€‹Palace Food Market on 11th March at 11:30 - 12:30. More information will be shared this week.

​

NOTE: There is NO REHEARSAL next week (16 Feb) as it is half term.

 

2 Feb

SONGS

This week we looked again at Halo by Beyonce and Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield.

​

We recorded the full song and the a cappella sections in Unwritten (soprano and alto, with hand claps!). We also recorded the 4 part harmony section for Halo. Note: we sang the chorus more times than will be in in our performance, this was to get us used to it.

Recordings and lyrics are available in the Lyric and Audio Library.

​

COFFEE NOTICES (our brief update before the singing starts!)

​

  • Our first Spring performance has now been confirmed as 11th March at the Crystal Palace Food Market. Initial timing details are:

    • Rehearsal at Studio Falkland Lodge at 09:30 - 10:30

    • Performance at Crystal Palace Food Market at 11:30 - 12:30

​

As a reminder from last week, our second Spring performance is going to be at Croydon Borough of Culture.

Our COTH Calendar has now been updated. Further details will be shared with you asap in the coming weeks. 

26 Jan

SONGS

This week we looked at Halo by Beyonce and Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield. Lyrics are available in the Lyric and Audio Library. We didn't record harmonies this week while we were 'workshopping' the songs - these will be done at a future session. 

​

COFFEE NOTICES (our brief update before the singing starts!)

​

  • Spring Performances - we currently have 2 TBC performances in March in the COTH Calendar. The first Spring performance is going to be at one of the local markets. As soon as we have the location and date fully locked down, we will let you know. An opportunity has come up to perform for Croydon Borough of Culture on the 2nd April so we are very likely to do our second Spring performance on this date. As soon as we have this confirmed we will send details out to you all.

  • Help required to set up - every week we need a couple of volunteers to help set up the space ready for rehearsal. You would need to arrive at The Paxton for around 6.45pm. Please speak to Lizzy or Cara if you're able to do this.

  • Kitchen etiquette - a request from Beth, the owner of the Paxton: only 1 - 2 designated people are allowed in the kitchen area. This is for health and safety reasons. Erin is the main coordinator of teas/coffee set up with delegates when she is unable to attend.

  • Payment - it is now possible to pay for your session in the room via a card reader. This is currently on a trial period while we iron out any issues. It is still possible to pay online via the link and both types of payment will continue alongside each other.

  • Communication - reminder that there are 2 WhatsApp groups: Parish Notices, for one-way communication on important Choir updates and DIVA! The COTH Chat Group, a very social group for choir members to connect with each other. We recommend you at least join Parish Notices to make sure you're kept up to date.

  • Email address reminder - for anyone who may not be aware, or may have missed the update, the new email for COTH is sing@sflcommunity.org.uk.

  • Register - we intend to streamline the process, but in the interim a gentle reminder to tick the register either on your way in or before leaving a choir rehearsal.

bottom of page