Warwick festival choir open to all folk

The Warwick Folk Festival Choir will have six weeks to rehearse before their two short informal appearances in Market Place and the festival site on the Sunday of the event.

No singing experience is necessary for anybody who wants to join the choir and all songs will be taught by ear rather than by using music sheets.

Bruce Knight, the leader of the choir, said: It’s open to everyone.

“Last year we had a nice cross-section of the community including several ‘non-singers’ who ended up thoroughly enjoying the experience.

“The audience loved our performance and we had some great reviews.”

The choir will be singing a selection of a capella harmony folk songs from around the world.

Sessions will be fun and lively and will satisfy both first-time singers and more experienced ‘crooners’.

Bruce has been running singing workshops and choirs including Songlines, for 12 years.

He is a member of the Natural Voice Practitioners Network and believes the Zimbabwean proverb “if you can walk you can dance, if you can talk you can sing”.

Rehearsals start at St Nicholas church on Monday 18 June from 7.30pm to 9.30pm and will continue each Monday up to July 23.

Places must be booked and cost £30 to be paid at the first rehearsal.

Bruce said: “This is people’s chance to perform at one of the country’s most popular folk festivals to a wonderfully encouraging and appreciative audience.

The Warwick Folk Festival, which runs from July 26 to 29. is now in its seventh year and will feature artists such as Eddi Reader, Edward II and Breabach.

For more about the choir visit [email protected] or call 778454.