Bristol’s newest choir – The Bristol Groove – singing pop, soul, funk and jazz with strong sense of rhythm, groove and lush harmonies – with musical director, Beth Morgan. Established Sept 2024.

Details: 

  • A new mixed voice choir for people in the Bristol/Bath and surrounding area, singing music with a strong sense of rhythm and groove including but not exclusively, gospel, jazz, disco, soul, contemporary pop.
  • Intermediate entry level with good sense of tuning, rhythm and vocal independence. Short audition process prior joining.
  • Aiming for a high musical sound with a huge sense of fun
  • Need to commit to regular weekly Thursday night rehearsals
  • Performance focused.
  • Ability to read music not essential however, you will be expected to learn your vocal lines quickly, and by memory, using music, audio learning tracks and some lyric sheets.
  • We are aiming to grow the choir to 35 members over the coming year, starting with current members, to 5 singers per vocal part.

Where: 

The Vassells Centre, Gill Avenue, Fishponds, BS16 2QQ.

When: Thursday nights 7:30-9:15pm

Read of choir’s full Terms and Conditions HERE

What’s involved:

  • Weekly rehearsal time – our sessions will aim for singers to take initiative and share responsibility in the musical process, through musical independence, leadership and group co-operation. Sessions will include vocal warm ups, whole body and groove activities as well as learning songs in 3-4 part harmony. Singers are stood for the full session. Singers are expected to be committed to attending 75% sessions in a term.
  • Personal rehearsal time – this is important and we will aim for singers to come to rehearsals prepped and with their music off book when asked, which is soon after the parts have been covered in the session. This means that we make the most of our rehearsal time developing the quality of our sound, leadership and ensemble beyond learning the notes.
  • Performing – we are looking to participate in events throughout the year as well as our own local performance. Singers will be expected to be an active member as a performer. 
  • Music – we will sing music with a strong rhythm and groove. This means that our singers sing with their whole body and feel a strong sense of pulse and rhythm. Our music will be energetic and this is reflected in our sessions. Our songs at times, may use close harmony, so the ability to hold your own independent part is important. Our repertoire will focus on a wide range of music styles suited to this way of singing including gospel, latin jazz, swing, disco, soul and contemporary pop. Most songs will be with jazz backing whilst some will be acappella.
  • Equipment – you will need to have a smart phone/tablet to access our member’s area on ChoirMate App which includes all choircommunications, musical resources and calendar.
  • Audition – Because this is an intermediate level choir, you will be asked to do a short audition process. Initially you will be asked to send a video or yourself singing a verse and chorus of a song in our style, with backing. After this, if we feel you are the right fit, you will be invited to come to 2-3 sessions to work with us. During this time you have a chance to learn some of our rep and get to know the other singers. After 2-3 weeks you will be asked to sing one of the parts you have learnt and you’ll do a range test. The MD has the final decision. 

Joining process

  1. Email info@thecreativechoirleader.com FIRST to check there is a space for you and send your video of a yourself singing a verse and chorus of a song with backing.
  2. Complete your registration form, audition and visit sessions.
  3. If successful, join the choir! Given membership details and subscription.

Membership cost:

Membership costs £25/month. This includes all sessions, music copies, licences, access to performances and support tech.

About your MD, Beth Morgan: 

Beth Morgan is known online internationally as The Creative Choir Leader. Her CCL newsletter, blog, website, Facebook group and online membership supports over 1.5K choir leaders from around the world. In this role she has worked with Mark De Lisser, Deke Sharon (Pitch Perfect), John Rutter, Bob Chilcott, Karen Gibson (The Kingdom Choir), Kim Samuels (Renewal Choir), Roger Emerson (world’s top selling arranger for pop choral music), Suzzi Vango (How to Make Your Choir Sound Awesome), Greg Link (Apollo 5) and Joanna Tomlinson (National Youth Choir of Great Britain) to name but a few.

Leading choirs for 30 years, Beth is formerly the Musical Director for the Bristol Military Wives Choir (2015-2024) and the founder of The Great Day Choir (2017-present). She led her secondary school choir, Vallis Voices at Llangollen International Music Eisteddfod, Manchester Amateur Choir Competition and Choir of the Year. Beth is in demand as choir workshop leader. 

Beth has a Bachelor of Music from the University of Queensland. She has taken conducting training with Choral Music Experience and Sing for Pleasure. In 2022, she was a participant in The Inspiration Course in Innovative Pop and Jazz Choral Directing at the Royal Academy of Music Vocal Centre, Aalborg, Denmark. She is a member of the Incoporated Society of Musicians.

Got questions? Email info@thecreativechoirleader.com for more info.