Southwell Women Singers group to start from January

A singing enthusiast has created a women singers’ group with the aim to take everyone back to the ‘thrill and joy of singing’.

Emily Brown, who has sung and made music all her life, decided to bring some music to Southwell from January 7, 2025 onwards.

The aim behind Southwell Women Singers — SWingers — is to inspire women to feel the good effects of signing in a group and remind them that singing is not something just for famous singers or children.

She said: “I want to take everyone back to the thrill and joy of singing that they felt in their childhood because the health and wellbeing benefits are huge.

“I am removing the barriers that may stop women from joining a choir.

“We will learn songs by ear, there will be no audition process and we will sing a range of familiar and unfamiliar songs that are chosen to be accessible.”

Emily left her role as a headteacher during Easter after six years in the job and was looking for a career change.

“The role demanded a lot of 'head space' and when exploring my next career move I knew I wanted to use all the skills I had honed but return to all the things that brought me joy and work from my 'heart space',” she added.

She wanted to focus on music teaching and singing so she followed that passion.

She is currently teaching a whole class of music, piano lessons, and singing lessons and runs performing arts groups for children in five schools and privately.

She trained to be a Singing Mamas leader, an organisation that sets out to improve women’s well-being through singing, where she end up launching a groop at the Baby Barn in Hockerton that runs weekly on Wednesdays.

“There are no auditions, no sheet music and no singing experience needed. It’s for shy singers, sing it only in the shower singers, confident singers and everything in between. Women of all ages are welcome and we have formed a wonderful community of women — The SingingSouthwell Women Singers connects through singing and enjoying making fantastic music with others at its heart.

“I think the women will be amazed at what they can achieve musically as well as having a good time.”

The singing group will reunite every Tuesday during term time from 7.30pm to 9pm.

Sessions will take place at Southwell Methodist Church, with free parking available to those attending. It will be a mix of socialise and singing and all women are welcome regardless of age and stage.

The initial session on January 7, will cost £5 per person with a monthly subscription of £15 after that.

Women can contact Emily at emilydarguebrown@hotmail.co.uk.