Cotswold Voices director: " They seem to get so much out of the sessions - more than I could ever have envisaged. I'm dead proud of them."
Scala Radio Community Choir of the week Cotswold Voices director Joe Moore speaks to Angellica Bell about the group's recent fundraising achievements
Last updated 8th Mar 2020
This week's Scala Radio Community Choir of the Week is Cotswold Voices.
Angellica Bell spoke to choir director Joe Moore about the group during her Saturday breakfast show on 7 March 2020.
Cotswold Voices is a Gloucestershire-based community choir with a membership of 80 people. No audition is required and membership is open to all above the age of 18.
In addition to concerts and events across Gloucestershire, choir members also draw on their passion for singing to raise money for charity. Last year alone the amateur group raised £14,000 for local charities.
This year to mark the choir's 10th anniversary, Cotswold Voices staged an 8-hour singathon in a Swindon shopping centre.
"We were raising money for Prospect Hospice," explained Joe. "One of our founding members - Jeanie Piugh - died a few years ago. She was cared for Prospect Hospice."
The choir raised £10,000 for the charity.
Asked about what he observed during Cotswold Voices rehearsals and concerts, Joe was understandably effusive.
"It's the pleasure they get from singing. It brings out this magical feeling in people. They see it as relaxing and an escape - a coming together of wonderful people.
Everyone in the choir gets along so well. They don't necessarily know each other before they join. But lots of friendships are made. Lots of wonderful music is being made together. I think that's the magic of our choir."
Joe continued, "They're a very special group of people. They seem to get so much out of the sessions more than I could ever have envisaged. I love working with them. I look forward to rehearsals with them every week.
"I love coming up with new arrangements and seeing what they sound like with them. I love seeing them struggle with new arrangements. I love seeing them succeed. The performing side of it we love putting on performances and shows. I just see the confidence growing throughout the group.
"I'm dead proud of them."
The Cotswold Voices are recording a selection of the pop arrangements in March. Details of how to join and their next concerts can be found on the Cotswold Voices website**.**
Listen to Angellica Bell's Saturday Breakfast Show on 7 March 2020 via Listen Again.