Harrogate Wellbeing Choir

WHAT IS HARROGATE WELLBEING CHOIR?

Harrogate Wellbeing Choir is a FREE and inclusive community choir, open to adults in the local Harrogate area with lived or current experience of mental ill health. Rehearsals are supportive and friendly in a relaxed environment, with tea and coffee provided.

All songs are learnt by ear, covering a range of genres with techniques in how to improve your singing voice, all led by conductor Lucy Coleman.
No previous experience is necessary!

In 2024, we were grateful to be supported by grants from the National Lottery and St James’ Place. In 2025, choir rehearsals will be funded by the D’Oyly Carte Charitable Foundation, with thanks.

Rehearsals are WEDNESDAYS 1.30-3.00pm in term time, at the NEW venue of Wesley Chapel, Oxford Street, Harrogate, North Yorkshire HG1 1PP. The choir restarts after Christmas on Wednesday 22nd January 2025.

If you are interested in joining the choir, please do get in touch! Just email [email protected] or phone 07984 535629 and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

OUR CONDUCTOR

Lucy Coleman (Harrogate Wellbeing Choir Conductor)

Lucy Coleman is a classically trained soprano, music graduate (BA Hons) and qualified occupational therapist (BSc Hons) with an MA in Music Psychology, Education, Performance and Wellbeing from the University of Sheffield. Over the last 10 years, Lucy worked for Converge at York St John University, where she managed various projects including music. She has co-authored two academic book chapters on

Converge, published in occupational therapy and community psychology books. She learnt how to conduct through experienced community musician Chris Bartram who conducts a number of choirs in the York area.

Chris founded Communitas choir at Converge,training Lucy as a co-leader which she did for 4 years. Prior to

working for Converge, she taught singing and violin peripatetically and privately for several years alongside

her performance work, touring with opera companies and as a singer for Music in Hospitals across the UK

and Ireland. Lucy is a founder of Emerging Voices music charity.

SONGWRITING PROJECTS

Members of the Harrogate Choir take part in songwriting projects with singer-songwriter Esther Clare Griffiths, creating group songs which they perform and record professionally. You can hear one of their songs below!

INFORMAL CONCERTS

The Harrogate Wellbeing Choir have opportunities to perform in informal settings throughout the year. Recent performances have included those at St Peter’s Church cafe and North Yorkshire Connected Spaces forums; take a look at the video below!

TESTIMONIALS

“Enjoying the session. The sessions give me a good lift. They really are a good positive lift and I’m feeling a lot better.

Harrogate Choir Member

“I love to sing, and the choir gives me a space to feel comfortable doing so without judgment. They're so fun and I look forward to them every week.”

Harrogate Choir Member