Join Us…
Be part of Peterborough Sings!…
Whether you’ve sung for years, haven’t sung since school or have never sung or been part of a choir before, we’d love to hear from you!
Peterborough Sings! is a Peterborough-based music charity bringing people together through singing. Through our choirs, community projects and performances, we create opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to experience the joy of making music, support their wellbeing, build confidence and friendships, and achieve things together they may never have thought possible.
EVERYONE is welcome. We want our choirs to be places where everyone feels welcome and able to belong. We welcome singers of different ages, backgrounds, identities and levels of experience, and we value what each person brings.
You don't need to fit a particular mould to sing with us — you just need to want to be part of it.
Introducing the Peterborough Sings! choirs:
Our three choirs each offer a different singing experience, with different levels of commitment and musical expectation. When you enquire, our Musical Director will help you decide which - if any - is the most suitable choir for you.
Peterborough Male Voice Choir (our lower voice choir)
Rehearsals on Monday evenings 7-9.45pm at John Mansfield Campus PE1 4HX
Membership £31 per month
Peterborough Male Voice Choir is a performance-focused lower voice choir with a busy programme of concerts, festivals, competitions and special projects.
Members work towards a high standard of performance and are expected to attend rehearsals regularly and undertake personal preparation between rehearsals so that rehearsal time can be used to develop the music as an ensemble.
Peterborough Voices (our upper voice choir)
Rehearsals on Tuesday evenings 7-9.45pm at John Mansfield Campus PE1 4HX
Membership £31 per month
Peterborough Voices is a performance focused upper voice choir with a busy programme of concerts, festivals, competitions and special projects.
Members work towards a high standard of performance and are expected to attend rehearsals regularly and undertake personal preparation between rehearsals so that rehearsal time can be used to develop the music as an ensemble.
Peterborough Community Chorus (our mixed chorus)
Rehearsals on Wednesday evenings 7.45-9.45pm at The Cresset, Bretton PE3 8DX
Membership £31 per month
Peterborough Community Chorus welcomes anyone who wants to enjoy singing together in a relaxed, informal environmetn, develop their musical skills and confidence, and experience the joy and achievement of choral performance.
No previous singing experience is necessary, nor is the ability to read music
As one of our singers, you could find yourself:
Performing in Peterborough Cathedral
Taking part in major concerts with professional orchestras and soloists
Performing with world renowned ensembles like the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Britten Sinfonia and Tenebrae
Singing in festivals and competitions across the UK
Representing Peterborough at international events in Europe
Taking part in recordings, workshops and special projects
Making lifelong friendships with people who share your love of music
Most importantly, you'll become part of a vibrant and welcoming musical community
Please see below for more information on our joining process, some frequently asked questions and some thoughts from some of our singers…
“Singing comes naturally and instinctively to most people – we do it to celebrate, we do it to commiserate – on the football terraces, in the pub, at weddings and at funerals...everyone can do it...and it has proven benefits for both physical and mental health and wellbeing.”
Joining Peterborough Sings! is simple…
Step 1 – Get in Touch
Complete our ENQUIRY FORM and tell us a little about yourself and your interest in singing with us. If you already have a particular choir in mind, you can let us know.
Step 2 – Meet Our Musical Director
We'll arrange a convenient time for you to meet with our Musical Director, Will Prideaux.
This meeting is informal and relaxed and gives you the opportunity to find out more about Peterborough Sings!, ask any questions and discuss your previous singing experience – if any!
Step 3 – Voice Assessment
Part of this meeting will involve a short voice assessment.
Please don't be put off by the term "voice assessment" – this is NOT an audition. There is absolutely nothing to prepare.
The assessment takes place privately with just you and Will. He’ll take you through some straightforward vocal exercises and ask you to sing some notes so that he can hear your voice and get an idea of your range.
The purpose is simply to understand your voice and for Will to advise you on which, if any, of our choirs would be suitable for you.
The choir you initially enquire about may not necessarily be the one Will recommends, as he’ll take into account your voice, range and current level of experience, as well as the different musical demands of each group.
Step 4 – Start Singing
If one of our choirs is suitable for you, we'll provide you with all the information and support you need to get started and settle into the group. You'll quickly be welcomed by existing members and supported as you settle into choir life.
Your first 6 weeks
Week 1: Come along, meet us and try a rehearsal.
Week 2: Start getting to know your section and the music.
Weeks 3–4: Things that seemed completely unfamiliar begin to make sense.
Weeks 5–6: You're singing as part of the group — and wondering why you didn't try it sooner.
You'll have a named choir member or mentor to help you through those first few weeks, so there's always someone you can ask when you’re not sure about something.
Some Frequently Asked Questions…
Do I Need To Read Music?
No.
Many of our members join without being able to read music confidently, and some have never sung in a choir before.
While music-reading skills can certainly be helpful, they are not a requirement for membership. Our rehearsals naturally help singers develop their musical skills and understanding over time, and there is plenty of support available from both our musical team and fellow choir members.
Many singers are surprised by how much they learn simply by attending rehearsals regularly.
Membership Fees
Membership is currently £31 per month, payable by standing order.
We believe singing should be accessible to everyone. If finances would prevent you from joining, please contact us in confidence.
Attendance Expectations
Our choirs enjoy a busy programme of performances throughout the year, and regular attendance is important both for your own development and for the success of the choir as a whole.
For major performances and competitions, members are normally expected to attend at least 75% of rehearsals during the twelve weeks leading up to the event.
What Our Members Say…
"The support from Peterborough Sings! has been outstanding."
"I joined because I enjoyed singing. I stayed because of the people."
"The standard is incredibly high, but everyone is friendly, supportive and wants you to succeed."
"I've performed in places I never imagined I'd sing and made some wonderful friends along the way."
See below for more…
“...without doubt one of the best experiences of my life. The camaraderie is as close to being in a rugby team as you can get, just without the rugby. Rehearsal nights have become my saviour with total concentration required and the outside world shut out - mindfulness at its best, perfect!”
“It’s hard to describe how singing makes you feel, but there’s something amazing about being part of the choir. It doesn’t matter what sort of day I’ve had, I leave every rehearsal with a spring in my step and a huge grin on my face!”
“...choir is the place where I feel like I fit in most…it has changed my life and I feel like I truly belong! ”
“They say singing is good for the soul and it does mine the world of good…I have made lifelong friends with an incredible group of people that consider family!”