St Mary’s Junior Choirs give boys and girls aged 6-13 exciting opportunities to enjoy the many benefits of choral singing. Led by our experienced Director of the Junior Choirs, Lucy Haigh, the choirs aim to build a passion for singing, nurture children’s vocal potential and build confidence through regular performances.
The three choirs are:
- Girls’ Choir (age 7-13), rehearsing on Mondays 4.15pm-5.45pm.
- Boys’ Choir (age 7-13), rehearsing on Tuesdays 4.15pm-5.45pm.
- Training Choir (boys and girls aged 6-9), rehearsing on Wednesdays 4.00pm-5.00pm.
Who can join?
We welcome applications from parents and carers of boys and girls aged 6-13 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 Boys’ and Girls’ Choirs sing a service at St Mary’s Church on one Sunday per month, usually in the morning. The Training Choir sings a service on one Sunday per term. Parents and carers are notified of specific dates well in advance.
Where is it?
Rehearsals and performances will be held at St Mary’s Church in the Lace Market, High Pavement, Nottingham NG1 1HN. For details on how to get to St Mary’s, click here.
How does my child join the choir?
If you would like your child to be considered for one of the choirs, please email the Director of Music, Peter Davis, at dom@stmarynotts.org, including the name of your child, their age and their school. Someone will then be in touch to arrange a short, friendly audition. Please note that it is a genuine audition and therefore not every child will be successful. Most children start off in our Training Choir between the ages of six and eight. Older children will be considered for the Boys’ or Girls’ Choir if they have the necessary aptitude or have sung elsewhere.
Safeguarding
The Junior Choirs are 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 Director of Music, Peter Davis, at dom@stmarynotts.org.
