About our artistic director:

Kate Buttolph is a professional community arts worker and composer who is based in the Stretton area and works across the Midlands and Wales. 

She ran her first choir when she was seventeen and later developed a creative practice working with people who have been denied a voice in some way: people who have been told, “you should never sing because you are tone deaf”; people less able to access the arts due to disabilities and health conditions, and musicians from different cultures.

She has also worked as a theatre/live literature deviser and director and as a creativity consultant. Kate particularly loves writing words and music for singing groups.

You can find out more about Kate's work here:

https://www.playonperformingarts.co.uk/

About the songs:

We enjoy learning different styles of music, singing many traditional songs from around the globe and dipping a toe into the pool of early music, jazz, improvised pieces and popular songs…

Much of the music is arranged or written specially for the choir by artistic director Kate.  We mostly sing a cappella and by ear, but lyrics and/or scores can be provided for those who would like them. 

We place a strong emphasis on singing for wellbeing and a focus on healthy breathing techniques.

Concerts

While the main focus of the choir is to share our delight in singing together through our weekly workshops, we also aim to produce regular concerts. Past themes have included the First World War centenary, lullabies and night time and songs about the sea (in aid of the RNLI).  

Members have an input into how the programme is put together and frequently contribute readings and creative content of their own.

The choir also sings for community events and workshops at Mayfair and other local venues, and is particularly keen to encourage audience participation.