The Preston People’s Choir is celebrating its tenth anniversary this month.

Natural voice practitioner Moira Hill, who leads the choir, is part of a network of songwriters and choir leaders who believe that everyone should have the opportunity to sing without needing to audition or read music.

The songs are unaccompanied and include simple canons and folk songs in world languages. They also feature popular arrangements in three or four-part harmony.

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Beginning on 8 August 2011, the first choir sessions took place in The Continental before moving to St Ignatius Church and then the UCLan Media Factory.

Lockdown prevented the group from meeting in person, but they continued to meet online for socials and songs and managed an online workshop with community musician Val Regan. When restrictions allowed, the choir held occasional sessions in Avenham Park, and they are now using St Walburge’s Church Hall as a venue.

The choir sings for pleasure rather than for performances. They have contributed to events around Preston, often at Flag Market, in the Harris Museum, or at the university.

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Most recently, they took part in Preston Moves on Avenham Park. On 25 September, they will perform at Lancashire Encounters as part of the theatre piece Life Class by Bodies in Flight.

The choir’s largest event is Street Choirs, a festival that brings choirs from around the country together to perform and sing – sometimes in groups of over a thousand.

The Preston People’s Choir said they are happy to welcome new members.

To join, contact Hilda Harkins by email here – hilda@harkins.plus.com

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Will you be joining the choir? Let us know in the comments below