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Children & Young People

Our constitution, which dates from 1889, states that the Bristol Choral Society's objects are "to educate its members and the public ... in the Art and Science of choral music and to contribute to the cultural life of the community by the presentation of choral music and other activities." One hundred and sixteen years later we feel that we can extend our contribution to the city's cultural life through a programme of targeted work with children and young people. Broadly, we are pursuing three strands of activity:

Outreach: Each year we work with a few primary schools, mainly located in our inner-city areas. We support class teachers by providing a professional vocal trainer skilled at working with children plus Bristol Choral Society volunteers. They promote and encourage singing by working towards some form of shared concert with BCS - such as our Christmas event, 'Let's Celebrate!'

Choral apprenticeships: This scheme is designed to encourage young people over 14 and still at school to join us. Each will be given a 'mentor' of the same voice part from whom they will learn the skills and disciplines of being part of a high-quality large choir. And it's free! However good the quality of music at their school, this will provide the apprentices with a whole extra dimension from training by a nationally-renowned chorus-master to singing with professional orchestras and soloists. Thirteen apprentices currently sing with us – and new recruits are always welcome. No auditions.

Attached choirs: Whenever the repertoire is suitable we may invite young people from a school or youth choir to sing with us. For a single concert and its associated rehearsals, a few young people – or an entire choir – become temporary but fully-committed Bristol Choral Society members – again, free of charge. Thus, our Spring 2007 concert was joined by the juniors of the Bristol Schools Chamber Choir, Churchill Community College Chamber Choir and girls from Clifton High School and Colston's Girls' School. Our hope that the excitement and challenge of the experience will encourage the next generation of singers seems to be borne out by the fact that several have stayed on to become full apprentices.

These programmes are quite costly! We are wholly dependent upon charitable support and are particularly grateful to The Garfield Weston Foundation, The Foyle Foundation and local firm Osborne Clarke.

We believe in the challenges, the disciplines and the sheer joy which singing together can bring and we also believe that by sharing those benefits with some of our city's children and young people, Bristol Choral Society can make a positive contribution to the lives of individuals and the community in general.

If you want any further information please contact Sally Seaman
email: sa.seaman@virgin.net