Location
Bradninch, Mid Devon
Bradninch, Mid Devon
Community choir, Singing Mamas groups, day workshops & 1:1 helping non-singers find their voice
Marion Brown is a community musician and choir leader based in Bradninch, Devon. She is passionate about sharing her love of singing and enabling people to find their voice and to enjoy singing together. She holds the fundamental belief that singing is part of what makes us human and should be open to everyone.
Since 2011, Marion has led Bradninch Festival Choir, a thriving, inclusive community choir that welcomes all and continues to grow in size and reputation. Marion has become known for her ability to build confidence and, in a 1:1 setting, to help even the most uncertain singers learn how to pitch-match and to enjoy singing with others.
Marion is passionate about the benefits of group singing to wellbeing and mental health, and leads a local Singing Mamas group.
Marion loves using singing to build community, and enjoys running singing residentials, one-day workshops and short singing sessions for other organisations.
Bradninch Festival Choir is an inclusive, unauditioned choir of around 80 singers from Bradninch and beyond of all ages. Directed by Marion Brown, the choir has been singing together since 2011 and has steadily grown in numbers – and reputation! We meet on Mondays during term time in St Disen’s Church or hall from 7.30-9.30pm.
We often sing in 4 part harmony and learn a huge variety of music from around the world – from 500 year old sacred rounds to pop songs, classical choral classics, African chants, jazzy numbers and songs from musicals. Each session always includes a mixture of simple songs and working on more complex music, either unaccompanied or with the piano.
We usually give two concerts a year in St Disen’s church, Bradninch, performing each December in A Celebration of Christmas and also in A Choral Extravaganza as part of the town’s music festival in June. We also perform outdoors at various town events and have been on tour to Silverton!
The choir is open to everyone who would like to come and sing. Marion is passionate that the choir is about building an accepting, non-judgmental community that sings together to the best of their collective ability. It’s about welcoming all voices without audition and working from there to make a great group sound. Whilst there is a wide range of experience within the choir, no singing experience (or talent!) is necessary, and you don’t need to be able to read music as Marion teaches all the music by ear. Men and women of all ages are very welcome, and we also encourage and welcome children aged 9 and above.
The choir is welcoming and friendly, and members enjoy socializing together in the pub together after rehearsals, as well as at post-concert parties and on occasional choir walks and farm picnics. We have also enjoyed singing weekends away together.
Mondays 7.30-9.30pm term times
