St Mary’s new children’s choirs give boys and girls aged 6-11 an exciting opportunity to enjoy many benefits of choral singing. Led by our experienced Children’s Choir Director, Lucy Haigh, the choirs aim to build a passion for singing, nurture children’s vocal potential and build confidence through regular performances.
The three new choirs are:
- Girls’ Choir (age 7-11)
Rehearsing on Mondays 4.00pm-5.30pm
- Boys’ Choir (age 7-11)
Rehearsing on Tuesdays 4.00pm-5.30pm
- Training Choir (boys and girls aged 6-9)
Rehearsing on Wednesdays 4.00pm-5.00pm
If you would like your child to be considered for one of the choirs, please email the Children’s Choir Director Lucy Haigh on lhaigh@stmarynotts.org, including the name of your child, their age, gender and the school that he/she currently attends.
Who can join?
We welcome applications from boys and girls aged 6-11 from Nottingham and the surrounding areas
What does my child get out of it?
The choirs are free to join and the children will benefit from the following:
- the enjoyment of making music to a high standard in a small choir of talented singers
- the chance to make new friends with similar interests, from all over Nottingham
- the opportunity to achieve their full vocal potential, including occasional solo opportunities
- learning to read music notation and singing a wide repertoire of sacred and secular music in English, Latin and other languages
- a range of performance opportunities including church services, concerts, festivals and (eventually) recordings and broadcasts.
Why should your child sing?
- Studies have shown that children who sing in choirs have greater academic success and more advanced social skills than children who don’t sing.
- In one study, 70% of parents reported that, since joining a choir, their child had become more self-confident and that their self-discipline and memory skills had improved.
- Singing releases endorphins which make singers feel happy and energetic. It increases children’s self-esteem and their sense of social inclusion, bonding them together.
- The physical act of singing improves breath control and strengthens the immune and cardiovascular systems, making us more healthy.
- Choral singing helps children to express their emotions in a suitable way and to manage their feelings more appropriately.
What is the commitment?
Choir members are generally expected to attend one rehearsal per week (at the days/times listed above) during school term time. Rehearsals are held at St Mary’s Church.
In addition, the choirs will perform at St Mary’s church approximately once per month, typically on a Sunday morning from 9.45-12.00. Specific dates to be confirmed.
Where is it?
Rehearsals and performances will be held at St Mary’s Church in the Lacemarket, High Pavement, Nottingham NG1 1HN. Click here for more information: https://www.stmarysnottingham.org/visit-us/getting-here/
Who runs it?
The choirs are led by the Children’s Choir Director, Lucy Haigh. Lucy has exceptional experience in establishing and running children’s choirs. In 1991 she founded The Hildegard Choir for girls, and later its two junior choirs. In 1998 and 2000, The Hildegard Choir reached the semi-finals of the prestigious Sainsbury’s Choir of the Year competition and won the International Choir Festival of Jersey in 2004. Meanwhile, Lucy studied Music, including Vocal Performance, at Durham University. In 2006, Lucy relocated to Perth, Western Australia to take up the post of Head of Choral Music at St Hilda’s Anglican School for Girls. In 2010, she returned to the UK to become Cathedral Choral Director at Leeds Cathedral. While at Leeds, she formed the successful Cathedral Junior Boys’ and Girls’ Choirs and the Cathedral Children’s Choir. In addition, she is a freelance singing teacher and choral director.
How does my child join the choir?
If you would like your child to be considered for one of the choirs, please email the Children’s Choir Director Lucy Haigh on lhaigh@stmarynotts.org, including the name of your child, their age, gender and the school that he/she currently attends. We will then arrange a short, informal and friendly audition to assess your child’s current ability.
Safeguarding
The Children’s choir is subject to the rigorous safeguarding guidelines that apply to all Church of England churches. More detail about our safeguarding policy and key contacts are here: https://www.stmarysnottingham.org/safeguarding/
Other questions?
If you have any other questions about the choirs, please email the Children’s Choir Director Lucy Haigh on lhaigh@stmarynotts.org