We are Peterborough Voices
We learn together…
“Peterborough Voices gives women of all ages and backgrounds the opportunity to come together to create something magical. Singing builds self-confidence, promotes self-esteem and social inclusion. We live in a time when we need to feel these things more than ever.”
- Bridget Pengelly (Soprano Two)
The women of Peterborough Voices are united by their shared love of singing and performing and their determination to develop, grow and be the very best they can be. A learning choir, they embrace the idea that the group is only as strong as its individual members and take personal responsibility for their own development and understanding, supporting and supported by each other under the direction of William Prideaux. At the heart of their ethos is the concept of building a choir from the inside out, with the energy of the group coming from each individual singer, making for a committed and authentic performance. It is this and their tireless work ethic which enables them to perform and compete at such a high standard.
“You are indeed a learning choir, with an amazing learning conductor!”
Described by the women as ‘empowering’ and even ‘life-changing’, membership of Peterborough Voices offers unique opportunities for self-development and learning, and the chance to achieve things many of them had never even imagined they might be capable of! Their collective experience binds them together as a “choir family” as well as with their followers and audiences, the wider local community through their performances and outreach work, and the choral community globally through competition, collaboration and the exchange of ideas.
“The women of Peterborough Voices are a force to be reckoned with. They’re not just members of a choir, they’re stakeholders, they’re invested, they’re a family - a tribe - and their determination to succeed at everything they do is awesome! “
- William Prideaux, director
What our members say…
“Being part of Peterborough Voices has changed my life in unimaginable ways. It gave me freedom and time to be myself again and unforgettable moments that will stay with me forever. I couldn’t imagine my life without it!”
— Emma Rice (Alto One)
“Being part of Peterborough Voices has rekindled my love for singing and introduced me to inspiring people I would never have met otherwise. Being able to stand on stage and perform with this incredible group takes a lot of hard work and hours of practice, but being able to share something I love with so many people makes it more than worthwhile.”
— Anna Welsford (Soprano One)
“Being part of the choir has given me some amazing opportunities! We have performed with world-class orchestras, choirs and artists, taken part in international competitions in Spain and Italy - things I would have never even thought about doing before! I love the choir and its cameraderie, I have made lifelong friends and I couldn’t imagine my life without it!”
— Pamela Wren (Soprano Two)
Past
The choir’s story began in 2011 with the very first Sing for Life project, organised by Peterborough Male Voice Choir, which aimed to recruit 40 women for a three-month charity singing project. The response was overwhelming, with over 200 singers attending the auditions, and more than 100 women performed with the late Bernie Nolan in the final concert. They wanted to continue, and Peterborough Voices was born! Since then, they have collaborated with musical greats including the King’s Singers, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Central Band of the RAF and the BBC Concert Orchestra as well as performing and competing in Spain, Italy, Latvia and across the UK.
Present
Peterborough Voices won the Choir Prizewinners’ Challenge at Huddersfield Mrs Sunderland 2022 and the women’s voices class at the 2022 Cheltenham Festival of Performing Arts. They won the women’s class and were awarded a gold diploma at the 2022 Interkultur Riga Sings international choir competition in Latvia. They won the women’s voices class at Huddersfield Mrs Sunderland 2023 and were awarded the Huddersfield Centenary Trophy for the best single performance of the Festival and also won the women’s voices and choir programme classes at Huddersfield in 2024.
In 2023, with funding from Arts Council England, Peterborough Voices organised their inaugural Peterborough International Women’s Choral Festival - the first and only UK festival for women’s choirs - welcoming choirs from across the UK and beyond to Peterborough to work with distinguished choral conductors and practitioners. In 2024 they were recognised by Peterborough City Council with a Civic Award in the Arts and Culture category for making “a real difference to the local community”.
“We are incredibly fortunate to have great leadership, which has allowed us to not only survive lockdown as a choir, but will allow us to come back stronger and more united than ever with a renewed sense of purpose and pride.”
Future
Peterborough Voices will continue to run their phenomenally successful pop-up community singing project Sing for Life which so far has introduced hundreds of local women - including many current members of the choir - to the challenges and benefits of group singing. In September they will perform with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at Peterborough Cathedral and in November they will travel to Lisbon for the Interkultur Lisbon Sings international choir competition, performing alongside leading choirs from all over the world.
“Faces light up, eyes sparkle… and that’s just the audience! The challenge and joy of creative learning, friendships, the pride and exhilaration of performing spine- tingling harmonies and discords, singing in in exotic places like Huddersfield and Florence, what an amazing good time we have!”
- Jenny Petruzzi (Soprano Two)
What our members say…
“I had absolutely no idea the impact joining Peterborough Voices would have on me! 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!”
— Rachel Francis (Soprano Two)
“What a wonderful experience joining Peterborough Voices has been and continues to be! I’ve done things I wouldn’t have dreamed of doing. Not only have I met some wonderful people I can call my ‘choir family’, but I’ve had the opportunity to learn some amazing pieces of music in some truly amazing places! Its been a journey of new experiences and challenges and I’ve loved every minute!”
— Anna Russo (Soprano One)
“Joining the choir has been a complete revelation for me. I never thought I had any ability and it has been a thrill to find my voice! Being in the choir is hugely rewarding and I have had the most amazing experiences. There is something so empowering and uplifting singing as a group of women. It is very much a team effort and I have made some firm friendships along the way!”
— Sarah Ward (Alto One)
Peterborough Voices ALWAYS welcomes new members and no previous singing experience is necessary.
We hope our page will inspire you to get involved and give singing a try… that’s what we’re all about! Please don’t hesitate to get in touch, we’d love to hear from you so you can get started on YOUR singing journey!
