Below are answers to questions we are most frequently asked, so whether you are considering joining us or just being nosey, here's some info about The Swindon Scratch Choir.

Cost   - of a session.

Diary   - our forthcoming meetings and events.

Equipment   - to bring to meetings.

Facilities   - about where we meet.

Find    - directions to our meeting venues.

Leaders   - a bit about our leaders.

Mailing Lists   - keeping you informed

Membership   - can I join?

Performing   - to an audience.

Repertoire   - songs we sing.

Times   - of our meetings.

How much does it cost to attend?
Scratch 1 and 2 are asked for a contribution of £6 for waged or £5 for unwaged.
The Afternoon singing sessions cost £3.50.


Equipment
Word sheets are provided, which you may keep.  Nothing else is needed - just you!


Facilities
Lower Shaw Farm:  Directions
We may use the adjoining kitchen for making tea/coffee etc.
There is a very small car park, but plenty more parking in Old Shaw Lane
There is plenty of space for parking bicycles.
This venue is accessible for wheelchair users.
There are toilet facilities.
There is no public phone-box at the farm.

The Pilgrim Centre:  Directions
We meet on the first floor - there is stairs and a lift.
There are toilet facilities, including disabled.
The venue is accessible for wheelchair users.
There are public phones near-by.
There are some free street parking places in the roads surrounding the Centre.  Car parks are also available at the cost of 90p for up to two hours and £1.80 for over two hours.  The nearest car parks are Morley Street (McIlroys), the College and the Wyvern.

Please note  The Pilgrim Centre's doors are locked at 7.40pm.  If you know you are going to be late, please let us know and we will make other arrangements for you.


Our Leaders
The Choir leaders have between them many years of singing and musical experience running workshops and performing.

Linda Lee   is our musical director and has been organising and running music workshops for many years as well as performing, in many guises, with various bands and as a duo with Martin.  Linda arranges many of the harmonies to our songs.

Martin Hawes   has been singing and performing for many years and is also a competent Djembe player.

Fiona Eatwell   sang with a soul band for many years and ran a community choir in Coventry before moving to Swindon.  Fiona is currently on maternity leave and we look forward to her return in the future.

Kate Rowe   brings us her strong voice and leadership talent.

Mandy & Pete Parsons  simply want to share their love of singing and will give you confidence in your abilities.

Vicky Sweeney  has boundless energy and her enthusiasm is infectious!  Vicky also refreshes us in her role as 'tea-lady'.

Our leaders work and perform as  InVoice;  they also run singing workshops - see  Voices For Hire  page.


Mailing Lists
We have four mailing lists to help keep you informed:

All Scratch Choirs Members - Choirs 1, 2 and the Afternooners
Members on these lists are sent details and dates of meetings, news, workshops and events via email or post.

Singing Workshops
Scratch periodically organise singing workshops which are open to non-members.  People on this list are not on any of the Scratch mailing lists, but would like to be sent details of forthcoming workshops.

If you would like to be added to any of our mailing lists please send your information using the form on the Contact Us page.


Membership
Being a Community Choir, Scratch welcomes everyone.  No previous singing experience or ability to read music is necessary.

We have three choirs - Scratch Choir 1 and Scatch Choir 2 and the Afternoon singing group.

Scratch Choir 1 is now full!  Members of this choir are committed to regular attendance and meet at Lower Shaw Farm, West Swindon.

Scratch Choir 2 is open for new people wanting to join us.  Members of this choir pay for sessions as and when they attend.  Choir 2 meet in the Pilgrim Centre in Swindon town centre (near the Town Hall).

The Afternoon singing sessions normally meet each week during term time and anyone is welcome to drop in, but (as with all our choirs) please check the Diary page for dates of meetings.

There is no need to inform us should you be unable to attend a session and we'll look forward to seeing you next time.


Past Performances
Although we do sometimes perform there is no pressure on members to do so.

Scratch Choir have become familiar faces at the Dawn Chorus event of the Swindon Literature Festival which begins at approx. 5.30 a.m. (yes a.m.!) in May each year.  We have also contributed vocally to the Forest Festival, the Willow Theatre at Roves Farm (Sevenhampton), Lower Shaw Farm Christmas Carol evenings, Brunel 200 Celebrations (in the Wyvern Theatre and Brunel Centre), Holocaust Memorial Day commemorations, the County Ground Sports Track (for Breast Cancer research), the Swindon Old Town Festival, TWIGS and many Swindon Literature Festival events and have performed at the Swindon Arts Centre.  During the 200 year anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade we sang Amazing Grace, live, on BBC Radio Wiltshire.

See photographs of us performing in our   Photo Gallery


Repertoire
Scratch Choir enjoys singing a variety of music styles and our leaders are open to requests.  As an example of our repertoire, take a look at our  songs index.


Times of Meetings
Scratch 1 and 2 - 7.30pm to 9.30pm.
Afternooners - 3.00pm to 4.30pm.

Scratch 1 - arrive from 7.15pm for refreshments and a natter before singing.

Scratch 2 - arrive from 7.15 for a 7.30pm start.  Doors will be locked at 7.40pm so please contact us before if you know you will be late.

Please check the Diary page for dates of all meetings