Choir brings community together in song

A popular choir is working to create a ‘sense of belonging’ for people who love to sing.

The Westbury with Warminster Good Afternoon Choir is led by Tanya Davison. It meets on Fridays from 2pm to 4pm in Leigh Park Community Centre (Hall B) in Westbury.

Tanya is a pianist and soprano, based in Warminster. Previously accompanist for the Jane Lilley Singers of Bath, she has led youth choirs and musicals, directed and performed in many local theatre productions, and for several years was the assistant musical director and accompanist for Warminster Military Wives Choir.

Tanya said, “Our Good Afternoon Choir has no auditions and is perfect for people who are retired and who simply love to sing. We have a great repertoire of popular music and for anyone wanting to try us out, there is no charge for your first rehearsal.

“Please come along and meet me and the rest of the folks for a good afternoon singing popular tunes and enjoying the hobby of belonging to a community choir.”

Grenville Jones started the first Good Afternoon Choirs back in 2009 in his home city of Bath. Now there are 35 Good Afternoon Choirs across South West England, South Wales and London with 1,500 enthusiastic singers belonging to these mixed-voice community groups. The Westbury with Warminster branch first launched in 2023 and is always on the look-out for new members.

Grenville said, “Our singers come from all walks of life and we differ from other community choirs as we sing in the afternoon where the emphasis is singing and having fun. Why not come along to a Friday rehearsal, your first session is free.”

For more details on the Westbury with Warminster Good Afternoon Choir visit www.goodafternoonchoir.org

Pictured: Westbury with Warminster GAC, Frome GAC and Chippenham & Calne GAC joining together for a recent concert