Young Plymouth Singers’ first success

A young Plymouth-based singing group has made a first successful outing to a Devon Festival and is set to grow in numbers, skill and confidence over the coming months.

Run by Devon music charity Wren Music for 13 – 18 year olds under their Youth Music programme, Roots A Capella starts the first of a new series of monthly rehearsal sessions on Sunday 9th November at 1.30pm with a new set of songs, and is ready to welcome new members.

The choir’s home base is Barbican Theatre - Castle Street – Plymouth - PL1 2NJ. It has been in existence since September and already has achieved a hugely successful appearance at the Baring Gould Festival in Okehampton. They are looking to increase their profile and membership over the winter ready for Spring and Summer festivals next year and a series of gigs already booked in that takes in Plymouth Pavilions, Exeter Cathedral and The Princess Theatre Torbay.

Leading the group will be experienced choir leader Sarah Owen - Wren Music's leading vocal coach - with Plymouth based musician Jon Dyer who plays flute and bass as well as chiming in a mean bass voice. "There are no auditions, you don’t have to read music and it's not a competition – you just have to want to sing", said Sarah. "We always provide back-up sheet music and lyrics for those who want and it's all a lot of fun". "It's all really social as well as musical", said Jon "there's always drinks breaks – sometimes cake! - and a chance to make new friends and plan trips and residentials together.”

"As an organisation committed to supporting young people through engagement with arts and culture, Barbican Theatre are delighted to be supporting Wren Music - and it is fantastic that this is an opportunity open to all" said Dan Baker of the Barbican Theatre

Wren Music now runs 3 youth roots choirs across Plymouth, Torbay and Devon. "We're always being asked to start new choirs; singing seems to have become a really popular thing to do", said Marilyn Tucker Wren Music CEO. The group meets monthly on Sundays as well as taking bookings and planning residentials – all young people

To find out more about the group visit Wren Music website www.wrenmusic.co.uk and click the link on Roots A Capella.

“We like this group because it’s a bit more informal than a school choir - we’re given a chance to say what we want to do and where we’re going to sing.” Said one of the young people involved. “ . . . and the vocal coaching we get is really, really good”

Roots A Capella Plymouth will be exploring songs from other countries as well as home-grown repertoire like local traditional folk songs mixed with some newly written pieces too.
Monthly sessions for the winter start on Sunday 9th November at 1.30pm at Barbican Theatre - Castle Street – Plymouth - PL1 2NJ

All are welcome – there's a suggested donation per session of £10, but there is a bursary scheme and newcomers are invited to come along on the first meeting free of charge to find out what it's all about.