Singing in the Round

Singing in the Round is a flourishing Bradford on Avon community choir of 65+ singers, meeting on Thursday evenings in term time at the Wiltshire Music Centre from 7.40 – 9.40 p.m.  Everyone is welcome.   

Singing in the Round  has a distinctive flavour of its own. There are no auditions, songs are learnt by ear and the atmosphere is very relaxed. Singers range from those who have sung in more formal choirs, but relish the spontaneity and sheer fun of singing in this different way, to those who have never sung before. Singing a cappella, without sheet music, allows the singers to absorb the music through their whole bodies. Working with the musicality of the song, the singers experience its richness, and deepen their understanding of the culture from which it has sprung.

"It is a community choir in the true sense of the word; we are not singing in a void, we are singing with our neighbour, for our neighbour and learning together."

As well as meeting weekly, the choir often celebrates the seasons in special places such as an ancient church in winter, the old Tithe Barn in Bradford-on-Avon at Easter, round a bonfire in summer - sharing songs with friends, family and beyond.

"The group has a wonderful energy and spirit - it feels like my family."

"Each session is an oasis of refreshment and renewal for me."

What songs are sung?

Singing in the Round’s repertoire is particularly varied. Starting with songs from our own islands - a Seal Calling song from the Hebrides and an English Pace Egging song - we may then travel to Europe and challenge ourselves with Czech, French, Russian, Georgian or Spanish. Further south, we come to Africa to explore the rich harmonies and rhythms from South Africa and Ghana amongst others. Then there are the Americas: a Gospel number, a haunting Native American chant, or Latin song from Brazil. And finally there are popular songs from the 30s onwards, the likes of Aint misbehavin' , Dream a little dream of me or Help! You may find yourself playing around with the music too, maybe improvising, or enjoying movement and rhythm games.

At Christmas we push the boat out and tackle a piece from the classical repertoire. Over the years we have risen to the challenge of the Rachmaninov Vespers, John Tavener, Arvo Pärt and J. S. Bach.

"A wonderful range of music, stimulating, challenging and very enjoyable."

"We make music that matches the season and if we come in one day and it is windy, we will sing a song celebrating gusty days."

We sing regularly at local events and build bridges with other singing communities, wherever there is the opportunity: locally with the Trowbridge Polish community, further afield with a choir from Mallorca. We regularly host the outstanding youth choir, Northern Harmony, from Vermont, USA , and, along with Sounding It Out, held a magnificent Christmas concert with over 100 voices at the Wiltshire Music Centre in 2009.