About Us
Local and Friendly Choir
We are a newly formed choir who enjoy singing and having fun every Tuesday evening at West Bergholt.
The aim of the choir is to bring together a group of like minded people who love to sing and make new friends along the way. We all think that singing is such an uplifting experience and makes you feel good too.
There is no need for auditions and you don’t need to be able to read music – enthusiasm is far more important! Our songs are all accompanied by either a keyboard or piano and led by a brilliant musical director.
Singing
We sing a variety of songs and mainly sing popular songs from shows, films and folk songs. sometimes in two or three parts. At Christmas we add carols to that list!
Fun
We are definitely not a ‘serious’ choir! Although we have organised several events there is no pressure to ‘perform’ In fact we just want everyone to enjoy singing, whatever their ability.
Free Tasters
The choir offers a free taster night for potential new members. There are no need for auditions – enthusiasm is far more important! The aim is just to enjoy singing and have fun.
Our musical director is Emma Bishton
Choir Leader, Singer, Vocal Coach, Accompanist
Website: www.ejbmusic.co.uk
Whilst a classically trained singer, I enjoy singing a wide range of repertoire and I seek to use my musical skills and experience to promote singing and its benefits for people of all ages. Based on the Suffolk/Essex border, I am happy to travel across East Anglia on a regular basis, or more widely for the right occasion – I have sung Doe a Deer in Nayland, Danny Boy in Ireland, and Dallapiccola in Paris! I trained as a music therapist, and worked for 10 years with people with learning disabilities. I then moved into the field of public health – and public mental health in particular; throughout this time, I continued to work as a semi-professional singer. I now work predominantly in music but still find time for some independent evaluation work in healthcare.
Our Chair Person
Ann Long
From a young age Ann has loved to sing and following her retirement she joined a local choir. Five years ago, an opportunity arose and Ann along side friends brought the choir to West Bergholt. Ann feels privileged to be Chair of the vibrant and friendly Vocal Zones choir, which has expanded from twelve to twenty-nine members. Ann is responsible for ensuring the continued existence, financial stability and smooth running of the choir she also acts as spokesperson and liaises with the choir’s Musical Director, Emma Bishton.
Choir members all enjoy performing at events and their own concerts, which are well supported by the community of West Bergholt. Ann is looking forward to another year of singing, fun and laughter with the choir.
Our New Members Coordinator
Bev Allen
Bev has been a member of Vocal Zones since its inception, five years ago. She has been a committee member for a number of years and one aspect of her current role is to welcome new members. If you would like to join the choir or just pop in for a taster session Bev will be there to say ‘Hi’ and look after you. She also prepares and sources music/song sheets for choir members.
Bev lives in Wormingford and enjoys long dog walks, gardening and as many gym sessions a week as she can fit in!
Lottery Grant
VOCAL ZONES CHOIR in West Bergholt, Colchester received a much needed £3715 from the National Lottery Awards!!!! A great big thank you to everyone who supports the #NationalLottery and also our choir. This grant will help us promote our choir in the local community.
