COMMUNITY SINGING and songwriting
COVID-19 UPDATE - Due to the current situation, all in-person singing work is paused till further notice. Feel free to email josephine@blueskysinging.com to note your interest in booking future projects and online provision (which will include choirs and songwriting) from September 2020. Let’s get creative to provide the best opportunities possible within safe parameters for the next little while!
FREE ONLINE COMMUNITY CHOIR - New for April 2020
To bring a little cheer during this time of social distancing in the UK, I am hosting a FREE online community choir!
When: Mondays at 2pm (UK time) during this lockdown!
Where: ZOOM video call (download the app for FREE on your phone, tablet, laptop or PC)
For: Any adults with any level of singing experience (from zero to pro), including those who have taken part in social prescription choirs I have run recently across Merseyside.
What: We’ll have chance for a little chat with each other, then we’ll have a short vocal warm-up and work on a song or two each time - mainly popular songs from decades gone by and a bit of gospel, jazz, folk and more too!
Price: FREE (open to voluntary contributions but no pressure to do so).
Want to register? CLICK HERE TO REGISTER. Then full details will be emailed to you. You can even suggest a song for us to sing. Come and have a go!
Already registered? ENTER THE MEMBERS PAGE HERE. (Check your email for your password).
For further help get in touch.
GROUP SINGING - Social Prescription Choirs
Recently, I have partnered with two organisations, Care Merseyside and Wellbeing Enterprises, to provide Group Singing courses on social prescription. It is such rewarding work to be a part of as I see the multitude of ways that meeting together to sing creates for adults who may be facing a variety of challenges to their wellbeing, from journeying through grief to dealing with long-term physical conditions. Time and time again the participants find uplift through being and singing together and many report that this positively impacts their week beyond the Group Singing session. ~ Josephine
For me, this amazing type of community singing is all about:
Singing spaces that are centred on improving overall wellbeing for participants.
A place to escape the day-to-day and connect with others through enjoyable songs and conversation.
Sing a range of original, traditional and well-known songs; gospel, folk, world, rock & pop. Accompanied and unaccompanied.
No singing experience or ‘talent’ needed! Bring your voice to the mix and hear the wonderful sound we can create together.
A safe place to try new things - group singing, learning harmonies, make new friends, try different styles of music, perhaps choose to perform to others…
Experience the health benefits of singing with others for yourself. From mood improvements to pain management.
Here are some great articles on the scientific and experiential wonders of singing and what social prescribing is:
If you like the sound of this work you can get in touch with the organisations directly to book onto existing courses in Merseyside with Care Merseyside and Wellbeing Enterprises, or get in touch with me directly if you would like me to create a new choir with you! You can send a message via the Contact Page or to josephine@blueskysinging.com.
CHOIR SUPPORT
Coming soon - resources & development opportunities for community-based choirs and choir directors:
Online articles for choir leading and singing
Online vocal arrangements (including original material)
Online/In-person support for choir leaders starting out
In-person workshops with choirs for established choir development
Online/In-person consultations with directors for established choir development
While you’re waiting… Help me to help you! If you run a choir, what would most help you develop your own skills or your choirs? Let me know your ideas via the Contact Page and I’ll be in touch.
“Here’s a little clip of Melling Community Gospel Choir who I worked with a while back! So many good memories and stories of how people found joy, strength and friendship through singing together.”
- Josephine