Christmas Concert Poster
Choir Picture
  • We are a group of women singers with a wide repertoire of folk songs, ballads, rounds, songs from the shows and classical music
  • We come from a wide range of backgrounds but have one thing in common - we all love to sing!
  • Please explore this site to find out more, and if you think you might like to join us, you will find further details under Join Us

Wollaton Singers Invite You to a Taster Session

When? : Tuesday 6th September, 2022 at 7.30pm

Where? : St Barnabas' Church, Church Croft, Inham Nook, Chilwell, NG9 4HU

Trying out a choir can be a bit daunting so, this year, Wollaton Singers have organised a Taster Session for any ladies who'd like to try us out. It will be the first session of the year for choir members who will be delighted to welcome and help anyone attending for the first time. Most importantly, there are NO AUDITIONS! We sing together in our various sections (soprano1, 2 and alto) and if you don't know where you fit, you just try each one until you feel comfortable with the range.

Each rehearsal session lasts from 7.30 to 9.30pm with a break about half way for refreshments and a chat.

Sophie, our conductor, helps us to learn the music by modelling it and we repeat after her. It's a great way to learn! It also means that you don't have to be able to read music although it does help if you can. We also do breathing and other exercises before singing.

All music is provided, and you are welcome to attend for 2 or 3 weeks before deciding whether or not to join us.

If you can't make 6th September (or have heard about it too late), that's not a problem as you can turn up at 7.30pm on any Tuesday during term time and have a go.

This Is What Our Members Say About Us  

Colour photo of head and shoulders of Rita, in outdoor clothing, with a heathland background

Rita Cannon
Alto, 2017-2020
Alto
2017-2020

In the 3 years I've been with Wollaton Ladies I feel my confidence in singing has progressed immeasurably.

Our director, Sophie, has the ability to get the best out of all of us with her amazing amount of energy, her good humour, constant encouragement. and occasional exasperation!

Even though I don't know everyone's name - sorry Jane, I'll wear my name badge next term! - you can chat to anyone. We're a great team and I'm so pleased Julie's husband told my husband about the choir! Every Tuesday I come home elated after choir practice and look forward to the next session.

Greyscale photo of Marie, seated in a garden context, holding a glass of drink

Marie
Soprano 2, 2017-present
Soprano 2
2017-present

At first, I was apprehensive about joining, having never sung in a choir before, and not reading music. But I was given great encouragement by other members, and now thoroughly enjoy our weekly rehearsals.

We are so lucky to have Sophie, our musical director, and our accompanist. They make a great team, and Sophie always manages to get us concert-ready while still keeping rehearsals light-hearted.

Greyscale photo of Jane seated on the floor indoors, holding her dog; looking upwards towards the camera

Jane
Soprano 2, 2005-present
Soprano 2
2005-present

After a bad experience with music at school - learning the violin with a teacher I called 'the Dragon' - I have never been able to get my head around keys and musical notation, so finding a choir where being able to read music is not vital, was fantastic. I still wouldn't say I could read music but know when to go up or down! I love the singing and the group and, what people say about music and choral singing being good for the soul, is spot on!

Colour photo of Jackie, in outdoor clothing, with a background of white and light purple spots on a dark purple background

Jackie
Alto, 2015-present
Alto
2015-present

I sang in school and at university but for some reason didn't really think about joining a choir afterwards until I went to a 'Sing for Joy' workshop run by the Women's Institute and remembered how much I just enjoyed singing. I discovered the Wollaton Singers and found a wonderful group of like-minded ladies who love to sing. Even in the run up to a concert, singing is a great way to relax after a busy day at work.

Colour photo of head and shoulders of Maureen, indoors, dressed in a white blouse with a dark purple translucent scarf

Maureen Scott
Alto, 2014-present
Alto
2014-present

I have always loved singing. As a young child my grandmother would play the piano and I would sing along to 'Down at the Old Bull and Bush'! My father had a good voice and we would sing Perry Como songs, Gilbert & Sullivan and My Fair Lady to the record. I failed the school choir audition which was a disappointment to me, and apart from a brief spell in a works choir, I hadn't done anything until joining the Wollaton Singers in 2016. There was no audition, and they made me feel most welcome. I love the variety of music, and Sophie somehow gets the best out of us, with a laugh and a giggle!

Colour photo of head and shoulders of A A, smiling, wearing a blue and white striped blouse; with green foliage in the background

A A
Soprano 2, 2003-present
Soprano 2
2003-present

I joined Wollaton Ladies Choir, as it was then in, in October 2003. When I was at a Girl Guide singing event, Rita Chambers had asked me whether I had ever thought about joining a choir because she knew of a good one. My diary entry for the evening I first went says 'very difficult music but I think I might manage'. Following my appointment as County President for Girlguiding Nottinghamshire, I had a short break but was really happy to be able to resume my regular weekly singing. After all these years I find that I can manage!

Colour headshot of Celia, smiling; wearing a tall-hat creation, with gold foil bands, studded all over with coloured tinsel pom-poms and gem-stones

Celia Billau
Alto, 2013-present
Alto
2013-present

Sophie makes rehearsals fun, and we always end up with a rousing song we know well, and I end up singing it (in my head at least) for the next few days. She certainly challenges us to sing some very demanding pieces, and that develops our skills enormously.

Colour photo of Pam, smiling, sitting indoors, wearing choir uniform of a black long sleeved shirt, trousers, and on this occasion, a black scarf patterned with silver musical notes

Pam King
Soprano 1, 1995-present
Soprano 1
1995-present

I was persuaded to join Wollaton Ladies Choir when I sang at Nottingham Hospital Choir which was conducted by Jean Shaw, who also conducted at Wollaton. There was only room in the altos so I became an alto. Then I moved to the 2nd sopranos when they were short and now I've moved to the 1st sopranos.

Colour photo of head and shoulders of Rebecca, smiling, at a music festival, wearing a white T-shirt, sunglasses, and a straw sun-hat decorated with flowers

Rebecca Peck
Alto, Jan 2010-present
Alto
Jan 2010-present

I hadn't sung in a choir since I was at school over 30 years before, but I was always singing and made it a New Year's resolution to join a choir. I found The Wollaton Singers in January 2010 through a random search of the internet and haven't looked back since!

Being part of this choir is truly joyful! Everyone has always been so friendly and welcoming. We sing such a terrific range of music, and they way we are taught and rehearse means it's easy to learn the songs without having to be able to read music.

Colour headshot of Julia, smiling

Julia
Soprano 1, 2005-2020
Soprano 1
2005-2020

I joined the Wollaton Singers 15 years ago, because they were local and I don't drive. Since then our practice venue has moved further and further away but I have always never had any trouble getting lifts because the choir members are so generous. What a great way to meet friends - a chat on the way, in the tea break in the middle and on the way home.

The singing is wonderful too!

Colour photo of head and shoulders of Elaine, smiling, indoors, and raising a cuppa to the camera

Elaine
Alto, 2017-present
Alto
2017-present

I joined the choir as my daughter was already a member. I recently moved to Nottingham to be closer to two of my children, as I get older. It's not easy to settle in a new area, but the Wollaton Singers have been such a source of friendship I feel like I have known everyone for years. It was wonderful to have the choir singing at my daughter's wedding. I was born the year this choir started so it and I are exactly the same age. I hope the choir carries on long after I stop singing!

Colour photo of head and shoulders of Jessica, smiling, wearing choir uniform of a black long sleeved shirt, trousers, and on this occasion, a black scarf patterned with silver musical notes

Jessica
Soprano 2, 2016-present
Soprano 2
2016-present

I joined the choir in January 2016. I'd mentioned to a colleague that I had missed being part of a choir in the 4 years I had been living in Nottingham. I went to the 2015 Christmas concert and got talking and decided they were a brilliant bunch of people. Some of the Wollaton Singers recently sang at my wedding. They were absolutely superb. They sounded so good our guests are still talking about the how amazing it was.

Image showing the word, Godsend, in yellow lettering, on a pale blue background

J E J
Soprano 1, 1987-present
Soprano 1
1987-present

At a very stressful time in my life singing was a Godsend!