Location
Stroud, Gloucestershire
Stroud, Gloucestershire
Stroud Folk Choir
I’m a UK folk singer and workshop facilitator, with a strong interest in singing for community and wellbeing.
I have spent a number of years delving into the depths of voice, studying vocal improvisation and intuitive singing, as well as theory- and exercise-based technique.
I run the Stroud Folk Choir, and various workshops that cover folk singing, vocal improvisation and voice enrichment.
My personal music taste leans towards folk music from our own fair isles, America, Europe and Africa and I mostly teach folk songs from these cultures, as well as songs of earth and nature.
I have previously run sing-arounds, courses, workshops, and campfire singing sessions.
This choir will capture all the magic of Stroud Folk Choir, with a wonderful mix of uplifting sea shanties, joyful celebration songs, moving laments, catchy ditties, and songs that celebrate the beauty of the natural world. We’ll be singing traditional and contemporary folk songs, both from our own islands and other cultures worldwide, in 3- and 4-part harmonies. Plus, we’ll include some fun circle singing and engaging voice and rhythm games that are easy for everyone to join in!
This group is perfect for anyone who loves to sing but prefers daytime sessions to evenings. It’s an inclusive space for all ages and abilities—whether you’re looking to connect with a cross-generational singing community, or simply want to learn new songs to take home. Families are very welcome!
Children over 5 are more than welcome to join in if they’re keen to sing (or just enjoy listening), along with tweens and teens—just be sure they’re accompanied by a responsible adult. While we welcome younger children, this isn’t a parent-and-toddler group, and we ask that little ones are likely to settle during the session so that we can maintain the focus of our group singing.
This is a non-audition community choir, and we’ll be learning songs by ear—no need to read music! Lyrics will often be provided for the longer songs.
We’ll also be teaming up with members of Stroud Folk Choir and Sing Ahoy! (Dursley) for some exciting collaborative events, local performances, and community outings.
These sessions will be drop in whilst we grow and the cost will be:
£8 per Adult
£5 per child over 12
£3.50 per child 5-11
Cash or Card on the door
Tuesdays 3.45pm- 5.15pm
This group runs at my house/in my garden so please get in touch for the location.
Tuesdays during term time, 3.45-5.15pm
Roots & Shoots – A Multigenerational Singing Group
Come and be part of a joyful, inclusive singing community where voices of all ages come together. We’ll explore a rich mix of celebratory songs, soulful laments, catchy ditties, uplifting sea shanties, and music inspired by the beauty of the natural world. Our repertoire includes community songs alongside traditional and contemporary folk from the UK and across the globe, sung in simple 2- and 3-part harmonies. Expect plenty of fun too, with circle singing, rhythm games, and playful vocal activities that everyone can join in.
This daytime group is perfect for anyone who loves to sing in a relaxed, welcoming space. Whether you’re looking to connect with others across generations or simply want to learn songs to take home, you’ll find a place here. Families are warmly welcomed: the session leans towards songs that engage children while still being enjoyable for adults.
Children, tweens, and teens are welcome to join in (or simply listen), and there will be a space for quiet play and crafting, just bring a responsible adult along. While younger children are very welcome, we ask that they’re able to settle so the group can stay focused on the shared singing experience.
No auditions, no pressure, and no need to read music—we learn everything by ear, with lyrics provided when helpful.
Cafe Room, Nailsworth Subscription Rooms (round to the left of the building and up the stairs)
Fridays during term time
10am-11.30am (Arrive at 10am to get a cuppa and get settled for a 10.15am start)
Fridays 10-11.30am Term Time
For all ages and voices—no audition required!
Join us for an inclusive, intergenerational singing group where we’ll explore traditional and contemporary folk songs, sea shanties, and simple rounds. Whether you’re young or just young at heart, we believe that singing is for everyone, and we aim to create a fun, welcoming space for all voices.
Led by Pearl Legay-Clarke, director of Stroud Folk Choir, we’ll sing in two- and three-part harmonies with a focus on songs that are easy to learn and enjoyable to sing together.
The sessions are open to all and run on a drop-in basis, so you can come along whenever you’re able. We’ll keep the lyrics simple, with a focus on songs that are easy to remember, ensuring everyone can join in without stress.
Children are welcome—just make sure they’re ready to sing along, or happy to listen if they’re little ones!
Costs:
£8 per adult
£3.50 per child (over 5 years)
If you’re facing financial hardship, please don’t hesitate to speak to me about a reduced rate. I want to make sure everyone who wants to join can be a part of it.
When: Wednesdays, 5:00–6:30 pm.
Where: Eyre Room, Kingshill House, Kingshill Lane, GL11 4BZ
Wednesdays 5.30-7pm Term Time
* We have Summer Open Sessions every week of the summer holidays. Mondays 7-8.30pm, Trinity Rooms. No commitment fun singing for anyone. Led alternatively by myself and Sorrel Wilde of The Island Folk Choir (Bristol) and Gloucester Folk Choir
** The next time you can join the main choir is at the beginning of September with the new school term. Just turn up to the first session on the 7th September, or be in touch if you need to start the following week.
Join Stroud Folk Choir as we sing rousing shanties, joyous celebration songs, haunting laments and catchy ditties. Traditional and contemporary folk songs from our own fair isles and from other cultures around the world taught in 3 and 4 part harmony.
Each session begins with a body, breath, voice warm up to prepare ourselves for singing, and we learn by ear in the usual folk tradition, so you don’t need to read music. The songs we sing range from simple and easy to learn to ones with more interesting arrangements that we can get our teeth stuck into, and most are original arrangements
There’s a place for you in the choir regardless of your singing ability. Whether you’re uncertain and need some support from your fellow singers as you learn the songs, or a confident singer who’d like the opportunity to perform a short solo you are welcome here. There are no auditions as we believe singing is for everyone and through the process of singing together we hone and develop our ears and voices.
We have an open session at the beginning of each term for new people to come and try it out, and then we close in so we can gel as a group and work on some of the more in-depth songs in our repertoire. I ask that if you want to join the choir at another point that you check with me first that there is space and that it’s the right time to come along. If we are preparing for a gig then it might not be the best time to come for the first time
We mostly sing for the enjoyment of it and that is always at the forefront of our practices, however we do also love performing so if you have an event you’d like us to come along to then let’s talk!
The cost is £10 for the open sessions, and we have a subscription model for people who then want to join, which will be sent out after the first session.
Mondays 7-9pm
