Lower Tatham Church

Wenning Voices comprises a group of mainly beginners at various stages of development who, under the guidance of Lucy Leather, enjoy the benefits of singing together. Since COVID restrictions were lifted, we have been heartened by the return of many stalwart “Voices”, the attendance of new members, and the fun and joy of singing.

We are immensely grateful to be able to rehearse and perform regularly in the beautiful church of St James the Less. Apart from the inspiration we gain from its historic setting, the church’s acoustics are excellent.

Members look forward to our weekly practice sessions on Thursday evenings when we develop our singing skills with rounds, by singing in parts, singing some of our old favourites and some new pieces.

Fundamental to our development is the importance given to the initial warm up when we begin to understand key breathing techniques and gain insights into the musical structures of our songs.

Our Thursday practice sessions have proved invaluable when we’ve supported church services such as the Harvest Festival, Remembrance Sunday, the late Queen’s Jubilee (when we sang the Anthem written specially by the Royal School of Church Music); and, during our popular open evenings at Christmas and in the summer.

A member’s words below probably capture the feelings of us all when we practice and perform:

“When we meet to practice it’s as much for fun as it is for learning! We joke and laugh and mess up our lines a lot… but we keep trying! We are always so grateful to Lucy for her patience in teaching us to improve our voices and giving us the confidence to use them. And we are all so happy when it comes together at the end!

Performances are when we show what we have learned. We all want to do Lucy, ourselves and our community proud. So we get much more serious! As soon as the music starts our love of singing takes over, the nerves disappear, and we just enjoy the moment!”

Other members say:

“There's always a great deal of fun and laughter alongside the pleasure of learning new songs.”

"I joined Wenning Voices after I lost my wife to cancer. It was my first step in coping with my loss, and I am very grateful to them."

"I wanted to join a choir, not for performing but more for the joy of singing. Wenning Voices ticked all those boxes and welcomed us with open arms."

“I like singing with Wenning Voices because it is really good fun and that’s what Wenning Voices is all about.”

“Having been part of a community choir prior to my relocation to the Lune Valley I was keen to continue. I have found Wenning Voices to be very inclusive and welcoming.”

“I love singing but was nervous about joining a choir but, when I attended the summer open evening, I was greeted immediately with warmth and friendliness. The atmosphere is serious as far as getting the choral music right but the process is very relaxed, friendly and helpful. Lucy, the choir leader, is passionate about our singing and its amazing how she gets us singing in harmony.”

We meet every Thursday at 7.30pm in St James the Less, Tatham. Our sessions are informal, spiced with humour and a collective sense of fun and achievement; and we are always pleased to give new members a warm welcome.