20,000 Voices

20,000 Voices promotes, supports and develops participation in singing across Northumberland and the north east

Our aims are to:

• Extend access to participation in singing
• Identify and respond to singing needs
• Act as a catalyst for the development of singing
• Engage people in the development of their singing skills and enjoyment
• Champion the benefits of singing

Set up in 1993 by the Mid Northumberland Arts group (MidNAG), the name 20,000 Voices was also a target – to reach out to 20,000 voices in 3 years. After only two years the target was exceeded. When we became independent in March 1998, the number of voices stood at 44,500… we’re still counting and currently our total is over 134,000. We celebrated reaching our 100,000th voice in November 2006, and we’re hoping to reach 150,000 voices in 2012.

Projects have ranged from…

Song workshops, education programmes and concerts for pre-school children to work with older people in Age Concern centres and our Silver Northumberland programme.

From workshops for advanced singers to courses for those who say they can’t sing – how we proved them wrong!

Folk songs, classical music, jazz, gospel, barbershop, musicals, we’ve improvised and composed….and always had lots of fun!

Singers

People who sing with us come from all over the region, are different ages, have different interests and abilities – but all love singing. Many people attend workshops about music they love, but many also attend workshops introducing them to new styles of music. Singers attend for all sorts of reasons – to improve their skills and knowledge, for relaxation, for fun, for excitement, because a friend brings them (these singers often return for more!) – but mostly because they want to sing. Many also sing with choirs.

What our supporters say

Thank you for the day workshop with Lucinda Geoghegan. It was most enjoyable and as always beautifully organised. We were inspired to buy lycra and discovered 1st 4 Fabrics!
Jasmin Earnshaw Brown, Northumberland Performing and Creative Arts.

It was a great weekend because of the music, Scott, Jilly etc, but it was also because the two of you organised things very well and in such a pleasant way. You always give such a relaxed impression, that it makes it all fantastic. Many thanks for all your efforts.
Kirsten Wolff, participant in An Everlasting Song

You have all moved mountains for building singing confidence in Berwick -what a journey!
Jasmin Earnshaw Brown – Vocal co-ordinator, Northumberland Creative and Performing Arts

Congratulations on a great project – it was wonderful to see so many young people involved.
Miles Gregory – Artistic Director and CEO of Maltings Berwick

What a good idea! I would like to support you, although I’ve almost given up singing now. I have had such pleasure, fun and learnt a lot over the years with 20,000 Voices, it’s a way of saying ‘thank you’ – and I might be persauded to join in a few events – who knows?
Sheila Dyson, participant
Smitten By Song

As members of the newly-formed Silver Bedlington group we were surprised how invigorating singing could be. It has given us a true feeling of well-being and introduced us to a broad spectrum of new friends. It now forms an enjoyable and established part of our weekly agenda. We strongly recommend joining a choir. It suits all ages and is a fantastic confidence booster.
Judith & Joe Hewison, Silver Bedlington

Perhaps the finest tribute to this amazing organisation that does exactly what it says on the tin comes from one of the boys involved in the boys’ choir. The usual route out of poverty and deprivation in this most neglected of English regions has been through sport. No longer perhaps? “If I can’t be a famous footballer I’m going to be a famous singer”
Kevin Stephens, journalist writing in Sounding Board

20,000 Voices has captured the spirit of the North East. It’s an arts project with real vision bringing enjoyment to participants and audiences throughout the region
Andrew Dixon – CEO, Newcastle Gateshead Initiative

I thought writing a round would be appropriate to celebrate the organisation and it’s work: rounds are inclusive, with each part and each person equally important, they bring people together and they’re fun. And if that’s not a good description of 20,000 Voices, I don’t know what is!
Sandra Kerr – singer, songwriter and musician

Singing with a community choir is enjoyable, relaxing and great fun. It enables you to express yourself through the freedom of music. I love music as it delivers personal fulfilment and is very good for the soul.
George Wilkinson – member of Voicemale Men’s Choir

You don’t have to be a wonderful singer to appreciate the unity of 20,000 Voices, you just have to love music. It’s a great way of bringing people together and providing them with positive opportunities. Singing is a very therapeutic, beneficial and enjoyable activity. It’s truly music for the soul.
Margaret Cramman – member of Customs House Community Choir

We have had incredibly positive feedback from our choir here at the Customs House. Everyone has been stimulated and challenged by the opportunity of working with such skilled and professional choir leaders. The Customs House is pleased to work with 20,000 Voices because of their reputation for providing quality experiences for participants.
Joe Peterson – Arts in Community Officer, Customs House

Singing with the choir releases endorphins, quashes any inner stress and totally relaxes you. The whole experience of team spirit makes you feel like a better person, as you’re a part of something really special.
Hazel Douglas – member of New Voices Community Choir