start up a free choir

axeluk

I had voice training for several years and was a solo singer. I also brought up a choir with middle ages for a couple of years before I moved to Stockport. Now I am working occasionally with schools and very interested in working with children.

I am thinking of oraganise a choir for kids free of charge in Stockport so that they've got something interesting to do after school. I believe this would benifit the children in various ways.

I have no idea about any support for low cost or free places for practices. For a start, any large quiet indoor room with power socket will be fine.

Any suggestion is appreciated.

paulofessex

I presume as you are already working within schools you have the required CRB check in order to be working with children. If not l would certainly obtain one so at least you can advertise yourself as having one.

As a parent myself, although l understand it does not prove that my children will be protected 100%it is something l ask to see when the kids have wanted to join activities. I recall some years ago getting into a debate with a Ballet teacher who's husband was attending the classes each week as a 'helper' and she was horrifed when l requested to see a current CRB check for him.

As we all know, a CRB doesn't mean children are 100% safe, but if your setting up a project as your hoping at least it shows parents you are aware of concerns parents may have.

Savvy_Sue

Tricky: IME the 'traditional' 'free' venues are pubs, they will often host clubs in a function room at times when it's not likely to be used, as long as club members prop up the bar during the evening. And while parents might be willing to wait and do this, it's not always a 'quiet' venue.

If you're able to do this straight after school, it could be worth seeing if any schools would like to let you do this as a club on their premises. If it doesn't cost them anything, they might bite your hand off ...

If you offered it for a term and then moved on to a different school, you could see where it was most popular.

What age range are you interested in?

In the past I'd have suggested seeing if the local authority was already offering any children's choirs, but I know funding for arts in my area has been slashed.

axeluk

paulofessex wrote: »

I presume as you are already working within schools you have the required CRB check in order to be working with children. If not l would certainly obtain one so at least you can advertise yourself as having one....

I do have CRB certificate and that's essential before working with schools.

Premier_2

How about approaching local schools? If you are lucky they may offer you use of their own hall, but otherwise if they are supportive of your idea, at least tell you of other local facilities.

Otherwise, try places like church halls, village halls or community centres. Local parish councils may be able to give you some leads - they may even have a hall of their own they would be willing to offer up.

Edit: Savvy_Sue had the same idea over schools I see

axeluk

Hi Sue, thanks for reply.

I am interested in Y1-6 students because they are very good at following music. Although I am worried vocal training might be a bit boring for them. In terms of secondary school and college students, it is very sensitive and tricky age. I will only consider working with them if they are really interested.

I did think of discuss this with schools. If the school is nearby and happy to let children stay after school time, say 3:30pm?, then I can have try.

Offering to different schools in term time is a good idea, thanks for that. I hope there can be a long term corperation, as children need time to practice voice and songs.

Savvy_Sue

Many schools are very happy to have after school clubs: if they're free, it's a cheap way for parents to extend the school day so popular with them too! However you have got to get your foot in the door, so to speak: it won't be something that will happen this side of the summer holidays, I wouldn't have thought, but this term is the time to start approaching schools. I'd expect them to want to take up references etc before letting you into school!

However, over the summer there might be holiday playschemes running, one of them might welcome an extra free activity, if you can offer something optional, either for a week or once a week throughout the summer. Downside of that is that you have to be able to work with a different group each day / week, as few children will be there every day, every week.

axeluk

Premier, thanks for reply.

Local parish councils and churches seem a good option. Do you think they will ask for any document if I contact them? And would they help in attracting children?

axeluk

Sue, if I start approaching schools, what sort of reference I have to prepare? Is something relates to singing and vocal training, or anything general?

Thanks for the suggestion of summer activities. One of the essential elements for a choir, according to my experience, is stable members. If there are only few singers and different people every time, it won't work. Therefore I may not consider summer activities. I may try contacting one or two schools, church, or local council first, hoping to get things started asap.

Premier_2

axeluk wrote: »

Premier, thanks for reply.

Local parish councils and churches seem a good option. Do you think they will ask for any document if I contact them? And would they help in attracting children?

I doubt councils or churches will help you market your idea. There may also be a small fee for the hire of the hall, but perhaps thatcould be covered by a small subscription fee, say about £1 per person?

The church may have a Sunday School, but then also I would expect them to have their own choir already. I was thinking more of just using their halls if you could attract the custom (perhaps as a leaflet drop around local homes).

If you want access to places where kids already frequent (other than schools) then perhaps youth centres or even something like the scouts/guides may be able to help ... and they probably offer a meeting place you could use too. Other places kids go like stage schools probably already have a choir of their own, but you could double check, they may be looking for a new choir leader.

Edit: Maybe some existing dance groups/schools may be interested in offering singing as an alternative? I'm thinking it's all performing arts. The kids are there and they presumably have a suitable meeting place too.

Savvy_Sue

axeluk wrote: »

Sue, if I start approaching schools, what sort of reference I have to prepare? Is something relates to singing and vocal training, or anything general?

When I ran an out of school club, if someone came offering an activity or I heard someone might be able to offer an activity, I'd expect them to be able to outline what they were offering, eg type of music, how many hours, what was needed etc. But I'd also expect them to be able to give me contact details for at least one, preferably two, people I could contact to ask "is this person good at doing what they're offering? are they OK with this age range? is there anything I should know?"

axeluk wrote: »

Thanks for the suggestion of summer activities. One of the essential elements for a choir, according to my experience, is stable members. If there are only few singers and different people every time, it won't work.

You might think so, but I go to a Wellbeing choir - turn up when you can, leave at half time if you're shattered ... We have two leaders and an accompanist, and what they get out of us is terrific! despite the fact that not everyone in the choir can sing naturally ... We do occasional concerts - we work out who will be there, we vote on what we'd like to sing, and we go for it! It's fantastic.

Premier wrote: »

Edit: Maybe some existing dance groups/schools may be interested in offering singing as an alternative? I'm thinking it's all performing arts. The kids are there and they presumably have a suitable meeting place too.

For that I'd expect they would want you to have some qualifications and stage school experience.