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Welcome to
Sing Out! Yoxford.

A community choir in the Suffolk village of Yoxford.

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About Us

SING OUT! is a community choir. We are a relaxed and friendly choir and have been running since 2013.

We are based in Yoxford and draw choir members from many surrounding villages. We are currently over forty strong with a good mix of Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Bass. We sing a mix of music to suit all voices; there is something for everyone. Some of us read music but many of us don't. You don't have to be an expert singer, all you need is a love of singing. There are no auditions and all are welcome.

We are a sociable group and besides our rehearsals and performances we arrange the occasional get together. The first Monday of the month we gather in the local pub after rehearsal and we always have a post-performance party. Many long-lasting friendships have been made through the choir.

Singing To Raise Money For Charity

We have raised nearly £4,500 over recent years for charities nominated by choir members including Brains Trust, Suffolk Mind, Parkinson’s and Marie Curie.

Rehearsals

With effect from Wednesday, March 2nd 2022 the choir will rehearse in St Peter's Church, Yoxford, every Wednesday during term-time from 7pm to 9pm. Either just come along or if you email us to let us know to expect you we will ensure one of our committee members is there to welcome you. Come along and try us out for free! If you enjoy your visit and want to be a regular member of the choir there is a £5 charge for each session.

The Health Benefits of Singing

There are numerous health benefits to singing too! Research has shown that singing improves mood, lowers blood pressure, gives a sense of community and all whilst having great fun!

‘The only thing better than singing is more singing’ - Ella Fitzgerald

Musical Director
Gretel Dowdeswell

Gretel Dowdeswell

Gretel is a classically-trained pianist and has won numerous national and international awards in chamber music.

Her extensive experience in performance and teaching has led her into a wide-ranging career encompassing solo piano and ensemble work, school teaching, examining for the ABRSM and, more recently choral directing. In 2016, she co-founded RMI (Rural Music Initiative) along with Megan Peel, an experienced singer and teacher. RMI currently delivers half-term Musical Theatre Workshops and GCSE music courses and provides academic and practical support for local talented musicians.

Gretel has been working with the choir since 2016. “The choir has gone from strength to strength. It is a genuine community with members enjoying the social atmosphere whilst also learning and being challenged along the way. I thoroughly enjoy working with them”

News

Christmas Concert

A wonderful mix of musical style, from Godspell and California Dreaming and the beautiful Seal Lullaby. Maybe however the highlight was a song written and arranged by members of the choir, Julie and Rob Nunn, called Special Day. Warm thanks to Gretel Dowdeswell for your dedication, keeping us on track and getting the best out of all of us.

Thanks to the generosity of our audience £615 was raised for SERVE SUFFOLK AND CAMBRIDGESHIRE, also known as BLOODRUNNERS. You can find out more information about their great work by clicking on this link https://servsc.org.uk/

Choir rehearsals start again on 10 January 2024. Why not join us? Email singoutyoxford@gmail.com

December Concert

Saturday 9 December at 19:30 St Peters Church, Yoxford.

Teachers Choir

We were invited to perform with the Teachers Choir at Snape Concert Hall in July 2023. It was a fantastic and exciting opportunity that the choir will never forget. We are happy to share the performance with you, please click on the link Teachers Choir with Sing Out!

We will start rehearsals again on Wednesday 6 September. If you would like to come along please email us at singoutyoxford@gmail.co.uk. We look forward to welcoming you.

Concert Magic

The Church was packed with an eager audience and judging by the fantastic feedback we did not disappoint. All that hard work paid off, Thank You Gretel for getting the best out of us.

Our audience was very generous and we raised a magnificent £539 for the Peartree Cafe in Saxmundham; a charity for individuals with learning difficulties and additional needs. Thank you to everyone who supported us.

We will start rehearsals again in September and if you would like to come along please email us at singoutyoxford@gmail.co.uk. We look forward to welcoming you.

July Concert 2023

Saturday 8 July at 19:30 St Peters Church, Yoxford.

December Concert 2022

SingOut! Here we go again. Another great performance conducted by Gretel Dowdeswell. A great mix of seasonal and old favourite songs with a beautiful new take on Away in a Manger by our very own Rob Nunn. A wonderful night where Bach met Enya.

December Concert

Saturday 10 December at 19:30 St Peters Church, Yoxford.

Performance Magic

Our first performance since 2019 was held on Saturday 9 July 2022 and how wonderful it was to have an audience to perform to. Looking forward to brighter and better things and a fresh start in September with a brand new repertoire. If you are thinking of joining us it is a brilliant time to do so as everything is new! Email us at singoutyoxford@gmail.com

Performances

The Choir are now busy rehearsing for the next concert which will be held in July. Watch this space for concert dates.

Saturday 7 December 2019

7.30pm St Peters Church, Yoxford.

Saturday 14 December 2019

7.30pm St Peters Church, Wenhaston.

Our most recent past performances

July 2019

St Peter's, Yoxford.

July 2019

St Peter's, Westleton.

December 2018

St Peter's, Yoxford.

December 2018

St Peter's, Theberton.

July 2018

St Peter's, Yoxford.

July 2018

St Peter's, Wenhaston.

Reviews and Comments

Chrissie Morris

"A varied repertoire which sends you home singing!"

St. Peters Church, Wenhaston

"A wide repertoire of songs, some beautiful singing, a packed Church. Altogether a very enjoyable evening helped along with wine and nibble in the interval! Thank you so much SING OUT YOXFORD for all that and for helping us to raise substantial funds for St Peter’s Church at our concert in July 2018."

Mike Wells

"I joined the SING OUT YOXFORD Choir in 2018 after attending and being impressed by their performances. I could tell that all the members enjoyed participating and also that the choir’s repertoire allowed for a variety of levels of ability."