Sing for Happiness is a friendly ensemble where voices unite in melody and spirit.
No auditions required. Just come and sing! In a supportive and inclusive environment, we invite everyone to experience the joy of singing together.
Our ensemble offers a place for everyone to connect with each other and share their love for music.
A little about us, and a few frequently asked questions
Our community choir is located in Purley, and I offer hybrid sessions if you are unable to attend a session. Our goal is to spread joy through song, so join us to experience the harmony of collective singing! No previous experience or music reading skills are required, just join us and you'll feel uplifted.
WELCOME!
Offering people flexibility, freedom, and choice in membership along with the opportunity to learn songs from all genres. Sing for Happiness is an adult choir that meets every two weeks.
FACTS
We are not a profit making choir
Offer concession rates for full time students and selected others
Bespoke communication
Lyrics & music are provided
A personal 1-2-1 follow up after your first session
Always available to help and provide guidance on Singing
In-depth experience of my professional teaching
A Fun 90mins session
What do I pay for my very first session?
We offer a 90 minute trial lesson at a discounted rate of £6, allowing you to meet our Choir Leader Rebecca, and friendly choir members.
What’s the membership fee if I join Sing for Happiness?
There are two membership Options:(1) A PAYG membership (Flexi) or (2) A Monthly Membership
Membership fees will ensure we keep learning new music and having a good time together and that new members feel immediately part of the choir family.
Monthly membership fees are due on the first day of each month. PAYG to pay as you arrive Cash or Card, and or you can pay 24hrs before online.
Concession Rates
We do offer approximately 30% concessional rates for full-time students and selected others with low income and disability allowances. Please contact us directly to inquire. We will need to ask you to provide evidence of your current status.
Where & when do you meet in Purley
Venue: Christ Church Hall, 859-887 Brighton Rd, Purley CR8 2BN
Meeting every other Friday: Time: 12pm-1.30pm
Google map link: https://goo.gl/maps/S4ASVKnU79hoHJGu5
Why do you only meet every two weeks
I'm all about reducing carbon footprint and not traveling as much. I know how tiring it is to travel to rehearsals every week & to experience rehearsal fatigue, hence meeting every two weeks.
The face-to-face ensemble only requires you to travel every two weeks, so you won't have to travel as much, & if you drive you are saving petrol.
On the subsequent weeks where there is no face to face I may have a one off online line session used for "Catch up sessions and or sectional rehearsal "re-caps" if we have a performances coming up.
How many choir sessions in a term ?
Approximately 6-7 sessions per term, depending on the duration of a term. Terms are based on the School Academic Calendar: Summer, Autumn, and Spring.
Where can I get music resources?
360 membership offers you access to the private website where you can download ALL resources.
Flexi membership offers you access to resources via a private external source "Google Drive"
Is there a sheet music available.? for both memberships?...
YES!......FLEXI membership includes lyrics and MP3, if you require sheet music there is a small fee of £3
With the 360 membership it's all included. If you prefer, you can have the full score or just your harmony part.
What's the difference between Flexi & 360 membership?
Flexi membership is ideal for for individuals who can only attend sporadically throughout the term or within three sessions of the term & just want the Freedom to come and sing when you can.
Monthly membership (360 bundle) is designed for those who are able to attend more regularly and have access ALL resources.
Flexi membership resources:
Is it necessary to have a Gmail account to access the music resources folder? NO
The Flexi Membership has access to a Private Google Drive, (you do not need a Gmail account)
Worried about Visiting us for the first time...
Please do not worry, just come and try us out! We are a friendly group and love meeting new people. We are all like minded people and enjoy singing together.
It is okay to be nervous; every member of my choir has had their first lesson, and they, along with me, will ensure that you are well taken care of and not left on your own.
I will send you everything you need before your session & I will make you feel welcome and will any questions you may have to make your first session / term enjoyable.
Do monthly memberships cost less than pay-as-you-go memberships?
Yes, Committing to monthly Direct Debit is cheaper than paying £12 for every session :Pay as you Go.
If you can attend all sessions, then monthly Subscription is more cost-effective.
Do I need to be able to read music?
No not at all.
Are there social events?
After years of teaching choirs, I'm all about socialising, I will offer singing walks to bring people together with nature and voice & Charity events and or coffee mornings.
I've walked, and trained, Girl Guides and Rangers for their D of E expeditions and know singing takes your mind off the walk, and if you're walking up a hill, teaching a pretty short three- or four-part song works really well. It's also good for your fitness and breath control. I enjoy the outdoors and what better way to enjoy it than singing outside for sessions in the Summer Autumn Term.
With Sing for Happiness, you will make new friends and have fun!
What Sing for Happiness choir offers you!
There are a variety of payment plans available to meet the needs of our members. Introducing my Hybrid choir linked to our LIVE face to face rehearsals. KEEP SCROLLING!
Performances (these are not compulsory)
Deliver memorable performances that create lasting memories.
Christmas Carol singing
A festive experience of joy & togetherness: Christmas Carol singing, perfect for families & friends to spread holiday cheer!
Charity events
Organizing and hosting charity events to make a positive impact.
Our Repertoire
Membership options within our choir
£12
P.A.Y.G payment in advance
- P.A.Y.G. drop-in session booking advance
- In the event that you are able to attend only 3-4 sessions out of the term, this would be ideal for you.
- Lyrics and MP3 ensembles are accessible via a private Google Drive
£22.50Month
360 Allrounder membership
Welcome
- You get a lower monthly payment and the peace of mind that your membership is covered.
- All the music resources you need are available 24/7
- Access to a private Website.
- On the first of every month, direct debits are taken through GoCardless.
£12
P.A.Y.G for a Hybrid choir session
- You will be participating in a LIVE choir session via Zoom.
- The camera will be facing Rebecca, the choir leader, and you will need to be muted during the music teaching.
- Please note that if you sign up for a 360 Membership, this Hybrid facility is included as part of your membership.
The journey I took to establish my choir, Sing for Happiness.....
Contact Us
KEEP SCROLLING! LAST PAGE
- Thornton Heath, UK
- +44-7789931374 - Rebecca Hitchcock
- rebeccahitchcock25@gmail.com
- Rehearsal Friday 12pm-1.30pm
F.A.Q.s
What is my voice type? or vocal range?
This is an excellent first basic guide. You can sing into your computer. Click on the link below:
https://www.tonegym.co/tool/item?id=vocal-range-test-tool
Have you heard these questions before?
1) What Voice type are you.... ?
2) What harmony section do you want to sing...?
3) What is is your vocal range....?
Ever stood there and had a blank look on your face? Maybe you're new to singing or it's been a while since you sang?
Well first of all the most important message to know is your voice changes. Just because you speak low, this does not mean you are a low singer and vice versa. Every voice has a low - med - high frequency. It's just about knowing how to use it correctly.
When you come for your first session you may find that the 90 minutes goes so fast you didn't really get a chance to sing much. This is like taking on anything new, you have to go at your own pace. If you are new into singing, I recommend trying any voice section first and let me know how you got on.
Within Sing for Happiness, these are the harmony sections:
Listed below are a few examples of pop artists' voice ranges:
There is so much on the internet with regards to vocal coaches helping you with voice range. It's all about finding what feels comfortable for you when it comes to singing. During our choir sessions I will be able to help you with this.
Feel free to contact me before session and I will listen to you on a one-on-one basis and help you find what is comfortable for you.
https://www.tonegym.co/tool/item?id=vocal-range-test-tool
Have you heard these questions before?
1) What Voice type are you.... ?
2) What harmony section do you want to sing...?
3) What is is your vocal range....?
Ever stood there and had a blank look on your face? Maybe you're new to singing or it's been a while since you sang?
Well first of all the most important message to know is your voice changes. Just because you speak low, this does not mean you are a low singer and vice versa. Every voice has a low - med - high frequency. It's just about knowing how to use it correctly.
When you come for your first session you may find that the 90 minutes goes so fast you didn't really get a chance to sing much. This is like taking on anything new, you have to go at your own pace. If you are new into singing, I recommend trying any voice section first and let me know how you got on.
Within Sing for Happiness, these are the harmony sections:
- High Voice (Soprano)
- Middle - High voice (Alto)
- Middle - low voice (Baritone / Tenor / Bass)
Listed below are a few examples of pop artists' voice ranges:
- High Voice : Bee-gee's / Michael Jackson / Freddie Mercury / Mariah Carey / Leona Louise
- Middle - High : Amy Winehouse, Cher, Tina Turner / Adele / Michael Bublé
- Middle - low: Barry Manilow / Barry White / Elvis Presley / Frank Sinatra / Annie Lennox / Karen Carpenter / Toni Braxton
There is so much on the internet with regards to vocal coaches helping you with voice range. It's all about finding what feels comfortable for you when it comes to singing. During our choir sessions I will be able to help you with this.
Feel free to contact me before session and I will listen to you on a one-on-one basis and help you find what is comfortable for you.
I can't sing
During my thirty years of teaching music, I have heard this phrase numerous times. It's one of those million-pound statements.
Let us change the scenario. Suppose you walk into a guitar lesson and say "I don't know how to play the guitar" and the teacher says "At the moment you can't but I'm here to assist & teach you, and you'll be playing songs in no time." You cannot walk into a guitar lesson and expect to be the next Eric Clapton. However, he had to begin somewhere....
Joining a choir is a little easier because there are other people to listen to and blend your voice to. But if you've never sung before, it can be very intimidating.
If you can talk you can sing! Heard that before? Well the truth of the answer is Yes this is correct. Singing is related to your voice, thats how the instrument is used, but is used differently to when we speak. When we speak we shorten words & vowels, whereas when we sing, we hold onto the vowels.
It would sound odd if you suddenly held onto a vowel in the middle of a spoken conversation. But when you put music to the sentence, it becomes a song.
This is where singing originates from. The vibrations are held on for longer. In my sessions, I will show you how to master your voice.
Let us change the scenario. Suppose you walk into a guitar lesson and say "I don't know how to play the guitar" and the teacher says "At the moment you can't but I'm here to assist & teach you, and you'll be playing songs in no time." You cannot walk into a guitar lesson and expect to be the next Eric Clapton. However, he had to begin somewhere....
Joining a choir is a little easier because there are other people to listen to and blend your voice to. But if you've never sung before, it can be very intimidating.
If you can talk you can sing! Heard that before? Well the truth of the answer is Yes this is correct. Singing is related to your voice, thats how the instrument is used, but is used differently to when we speak. When we speak we shorten words & vowels, whereas when we sing, we hold onto the vowels.
It would sound odd if you suddenly held onto a vowel in the middle of a spoken conversation. But when you put music to the sentence, it becomes a song.
This is where singing originates from. The vibrations are held on for longer. In my sessions, I will show you how to master your voice.
Does it matter if I have lyrics or music?
Having lyrics or a music score does not matter. What matters is what you prefer. However, you should be aware that a full score can contain 8 or more pages, so if you plan on printing it, keep this in mind.
It is also possible to have your musicla part on a single A4 sheet of paper, if you prefer.
Lyrics can sometimes be confusing as they cannot provide a complete picture of the musical score. However, everything is explained within sessions and recap tutorials.
It is also possible to have your musicla part on a single A4 sheet of paper, if you prefer.
Lyrics can sometimes be confusing as they cannot provide a complete picture of the musical score. However, everything is explained within sessions and recap tutorials.
Interested in what's in the Resources?
Music resources include:
- A Separate mp3 harmony part for you to practise along to
- A Full harmony mp3 of the song
- A full PDF music score
- Lyrics
- Your musical score part
- Video tutorial
What is included in Rehearsals?
- Full in-depth teaching of your harmony part
- Run-throughs with the other harmony parts
- A conductor leading you
- A pianist
- A packed 90mins session full of fun & learning
- Vocal Tips from your choir leader Rebecca
- Help & Guidance throughout to help the learning of the song
- A chance to catch up with friends
- Singing together and hearing harmonies around you
- A lovely venue
- A Welcome desk as you come into choir
Spring Term Dates 2025
Have a listen
Note: This is from my introductory session a few weeks back... KEEP SCROLLING
Mp3 of the Ensemble in todays session. 1st July 2023
This recording is from our first session today 1st July 2023
5 Reasons to join a choir!
keep scrolling
Benefits of joining a choir
Musicality
Mental Health
“If we could engage more and more people in singing, I’m sure we would have a healthier nation.”
