Meet the Barton Hill Choir #culturematters

Published on 9 February 2016.

The Barton Hill Choir is a group of people from all walks of life that come together each week because they enjoy singing together.

The choir formed in 2014 for Travelling Light’s 30Fest celebrations and is led by Sarah Moody, musician, music director and composer.  So much fun was had leading up to and performing at 30Fest that the choir decided to continue, and now meets weekly on Wednesdays during term-time from 7.30-9pm in our studio at Travelling Light.

The choir is open to all, no previous experience of singing is required. The choir don’t take themselves seriously and there’s a lot of laughter during singing sessions - in short they are a really friendly bunch. Everyone is welcome!

They perform a lot too.  In 2015 this included Walking the Chains at the Passenger Shed, Temple Meads in January, and at Sanctum in November, alongside numerous community performances, pub sessions and parties.

The repertoire has developed over time but is guided by the group members and isn’t specific to any style or genre.  Some songs such as Zeelow would be classed as World music. This was written by the wonderful Juliet Russell of Vocal Explosion. Another world music favourite is the Georgian Song, Marah.  The choir also love doing English and Welsh Folk tunes like Wild Mountain Thyme and Cainc Yr Odryddes (thanks to Polly Wilde who runs the choir when Sarah is on tour. She's a fantastic folk singer who also runs The Island Choir). The choir have also done songs written by Sarah such as the Spanish Folk inspired 'Candle In Your Heart', and a song written by choir member Zac.  Zac is a bit of a star in his native Slovakia and has wowed people at open mic sessions.  Check out his Eurovision song contest hit here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSsj66tfOCQ

The choir have a new Facebook page and website where you can find further info, or catch them at the Love Your Community Festival at the Barton Hill Settlement at 12noon on Saturday 13^th February.  Or better still join them, sing your heart out, make friends and have fun, because #culturematters.