If your child loves music and singing, you may well be interested to learn more about Out There Music Bristol Children’s Choir in today’s post on Bristol Mum.

Held weekly in the Performing Arts Studio at Cotham School, this choir is open to any child in Bristol aged between 7 – 13 and teaches kids to sing and read music, while having great fun at the same time!

Out There Music Bristol Children’s Choir was started eight years ago by Tom Jones (not that Tom Jones!), who was born and raised in Bristol.

Please read on to find out how and why Out There Music Bristol all started in my interview with Tom himself.

Hi Tom, please tell readers a bit about yourself and about how Out There Music Bristol began?

Well, I am Bristol born and bred and love being able to call this amazing city home. My own musical life began early and I started playing the trumpet at the age of eight. I watched a presenter make a trumpet out of cardboard tubing on Play School and decided that was the instrument I wanted to play!

I went on to study at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London and I am now a professional musician, conductor and songwriter with over a decade of experience working with young people in schools across Bristol.

I’ve always been passionate about introducing music to people as early as possible and I started running workshops in schools for children in difficult circumstances, helping them to express themselves in a different and more accessible way.

This is what inspired the name ‘Out There Music’. I was putting myself out there, trying to break down barriers surrounding access to music and make it more accessible.

Then in 2008 I started a children’s choir that met weekly at Westbury Park School…however I hadn’t planned on the number of parents who also wanted to join! So in 2009 I started my first community choir, followed by the orchestra in 2010 and the chamber choir in 2012. The rest is history!

Please tell us more about Out There Music Bristol Children’s Choir.

The choir has been running for eight years and is open to all children aged from seven to thirteen from any school in Bristol. We have recently moved to an amazing new rehearsal space in Cotham School and it’s certainly helping build the choir into something quite special. We sing songs that children are guaranteed to love.

The emphasis is on learning about your voice with age-appropriate vocal techniques and helping our members to read music and sing in simple harmonies, all the while aiming for high standards and having fun!

What songs do children sing?

The children are currently really enjoying singing music from ‘Matilda the Musical’. ‘When I grow up’ has definitely been a big hit! We are also working on songs from ‘Joseph’ and ‘Oliver’.

When and where are rehearsals held?

We meet every Wednesday in term time from 4.45 – 6pm in the fabulous facility that is the Performing Arts Studio at Cotham School, BS6 6DT.

And where are performances held?

The children perform at sell out concerts alongside the OTM Bristol Community Choirs, Orchestra and Chamber Choir at the impressive venue that is St George’s, on Great George Street.

They also have the opportunity to perform at annual events across Bristol such as the Harbour Festival and the Millennium Square Christmas Market and Ice Rink.

With an OTMB Children’s Show in the pipeline and our huge ‘Spring Concert’ at St George’s on 22nd May 2016, the year ahead for the Children’s Choir is shaping up to be the most exciting yet!

How can children join Out There Music Bristol Children’s Choir?

A small audition is required to gain entry in which the children will need to sing an unaccompanied verse and chorus of a song of their choice. Parents and children are very welcome to come along to any rehearsal for a free taster session before deciding whether to audition.

The choir is growing from strength to strength and it’s an ideal time to come and see what we are all about!

Sounds great. How can parents find out more about Out There Music Bristol Children’s Choir?

If you would like to come along to a taster session, organise an audition or simply have a question please contact Holly at admin@outtheremusicbristol.co.uk or telephone 07866 587424.

You can also look at our website www.outtheremusicbristol.co.uk

Anything else you would like to add?

Watch this space!