About: Jackdaws Songbirds are a friendly, informal choir who meet weekly during term time to sing together in a relaxed environment. There are no auditions and no previous singing or music experience is required. Songs are taught by ear; music notation is available to those who read, but reading isn’t necessary. Our aim is to enjoy singing together in harmony and to explore different types of music: traditional and modern, from Britain and beyond. You are most welcome to bring your babies, pre-schoolers and toddlers to this Monday session: we sing for an hour, parents and carers are welcome to bring toys for the toddlers to play with. We don’t expect pre-schoolers to be quiet, and we don’t expect full attention from parents! In a typical session, children may play on their own for a bit, require some attention for a bit, and may even listen in now and then. At 2.30pm the toys are cleared away and we sing a few songs with the children. You can sign up for the term, or come on a drop-in basis to this Songbirds group. Benefits: Have fun Learn great songs Make connections Feel good Improve your singing Testimonials: 'I leave our singing sessions so full of joy… you are really quite extraordinary at organising, teaching, and making it look so easy! So thank you for your magic!!!' Suitable for: Adults and pre-school children Additional Information: When I was a child, I always wanted to sing in a band, preferably an all-girl band called “The Beach Girls”. As I young adult, I did get my wish of singing in a band: after five years of songwriting, recording, touring the country in dodgy transits, 80s crimes against hair and fashion, etc, with a lot of life experience but not a great deal of success, we called it a day. I then had a variety of jobs: cleaner, futon seller, window dresser, and later teacher of English as a second language, all the while continuing to perform in bands. Since 1995 I have been happily settled in Frome. Although initially known as mother-of-twins, I am now better known as singing-lady. I began teaching singing and musicianship in schools, based on the Kodaly technique. I love a bit of doh-re-mi. And those are all valid scrabble words too. Currently I run two choirs: Jackdaws Songbirds in Frome (three groups) and Shreen Harmony in Mere. I also lead two singing groups for adults living with dementia, in Bradford-on-Avon and Westbury, and I sing with children at Sutton Veny primary school. I love discovering songs and writing arrangements to suit each group, and then hearing how the singers bring the song to life. I know I should really have a hobby away from music, but I am a useless gardener: in my spare time, I’m a singer and songwriter with local band Three Corners, and I also sing jazz with the Terry Hill big band. Caroline Cost: Cost: £ 6 drop-in per session, or £5 per week when paid termly in advance; payment by bank transfer or cash

Description supplied by the event organiser.