Gloucester Folk Choir

Gloucester folk choir are a friendly, open to all group, we sing songs from the vast folk cannon, including traditional and contemporary songs, songs for nature and human connection, and non-English language songs, most often from Eastern Europe.

All are welcome and you don’t have to already think you can sing to join the choir, we learn and grow together. I bring a certain amount of voice development knowledge that helps to grow resonance and singing skills as we go.

We perform a few times a year at various community events in and around Gloucester, one of the highlights is Folk In The Orchard, which is a wonderful day out and a super friendly and welcoming audience. We have also performed at The Wilson in Cheltenham, Gloucester Cathedral and Mitcheldean Folk Festival.

We organise occasional social opportunities for the choir, including bring and share meals, and walks. There is a break during the choir to socialise and there are pubs nearby for pre and post choir drinks.

A group of ten people and one small black dog standing outdoors in a natural setting with greenery and trees in the background. The group includes men and women of various ages, dressed casually, some smiling and relaxed.

A wee singing walk from 2025, with baby and dog to boot!

A diverse group of people, including children, adults, and elderly individuals, smiling and posing together in an indoor setting with a mural of historical or cultural scenes in the background.

Gloucester Folk Choir.

Wednesday evenings, 7-9pm.

Friends meeting house, Greyfriars, Gloucester.

Sliding scale £6/8/10

Some of the songs we sing are:

Adieu Sweet Lovely Nancy (Trad.)

Bright Morning Star (Trad.)

Gusta Mi Magla (Serbian)

The Falcon (Richard and Mimi Farina)

Freedom (Crosby, Stlls and Nash)

Young Fisherman (Trad, collected in Gloucester)

Treasure (Theme from the Detectorists)

And many More!

What is a Gloucester Folk Choir session like?

I recognise that it can feel really daunting to join an established choir, or even a new one. I will try and make you as welcome as possible and here is a rundown of what to expect.

  • People arrive anytime from 6:30 and there is a kitchen with tea and biscuits and a beautiful garden to sit in if you are early to choir.

  • I take any payments before we start, some people pay for a block, some pay week to week, either is completely fine. The standard cost is £8 but if you want to use the sliding scale just let me know.

  • We begin at 7pm, and start with warming up our bodies, rolling shoulders and hips and moving gently to prepare our bodies for singing.

  • We then beging to use our voices, we might do a voice warm up, a breathing excersise, a tuning and blending game.

  • We usually sing a short song to continue warming up and to work on breath, body and voice in the context of a simple song.

  • We will then work on one or two songs that we are learning before taking a 15 minute break.

  • During the break we have tea and biscuits and can sit in the garden or hang out in the space or kitchen.

  • After the break we might sing another short song to bring everyone back and then will again work on one or two longer songs that we are working on.

  • We try and finish with a voice warm down, which takes the form of a soundbath, just very simple long notes with some guidance from me.

Group of people listening to a guide or tour leader in a museum or exhibit space. The guide is gesturing with her hands, and the group appears engaged. The background features a mural or display with historical scenes and a sign that reads 'Fortress Becomes Town.'

"Sorrel is an imaginative and compassionate teacher! She is great at encouraging less confident singers and helps us to listen well as well, I particularly enjoy the effects of good listening on our overall sound, it's so great to be part of a wonderful resonant music."