Okehampton Singers

OKEHAMPTON SINGERS MISSION STATEMENT

The Okehampton Singers was founded by Kelly Young in May 2015 as a part of her business Okehampton Singing Lessons. Kelly started the Okehampton Singers with the below aims in mind:

• to bring people together in the community
• to teach individuals how to sing with proper technique
• to build confidence
• to build a support group where it is okay to learn and make mistakes
• to make quality, up to date music training accessible to local people
• where possible, to support local talent in the community and encourage progression into a professional music career
• where possible, to support local charities through performances

The Okehampton Singers is owned by Kelly Young and is a part of her business portfolio and living. Therefor she takes the wellbeing of her choir and business practice seriously. Kelly has a full enhanced 2016 DBS check, public liability insurance and complies with all HMRC tax and NI requirements.

The Okehampton Singers aim to perform two concerts per year, one in the summertime and one in the winter.

Rehearsals take place at community hub the Ockment Centre and we held our first concert to date in the Ockment Centre Hall. Other performances have taken place at the Charter Hall and at Edwardian Evening.

The Okehampton Singers provide a great platform to meet with others. The Singers have coffee, tea and biscuits on the first session of each month and are encouraged to come in early to socialise together and also have a break halfway through to catch up. The Singers go out after rehearsals most weeks to our local pub The Fountain where they have been known to sing a song or two! All ages are encouraged to come and join in whether you are 18 or 80+! The Singers also occasionally get together on the weekends to attend local music events.

The Okehampton Singers have a varied repertoire and aim to keep music fresh and exciting. We sing classical, musical theatre, pop, folk and gospel but are always open to new and exciting pieces.

Musical Director Kelly Young completed her BA Hons in Music at Oxford Brookes University (2:1) in 2010. At university she was a part of University Choir and Chamber Choir and her Musical Theatre Society. Kelly completed her final performance in Holywell Music Room in Oxford and gained a First for her singing. Kelly was then a regular concert soloist for the Oxford Welsh Male Voice Choir where she specialised in early Musical Theatre repertoire. Kelly had notable training from Nicola Harrison at Oxford University who she credits for her passion in ‘legit’ musical theatre.

Kelly was offered two places at theatre school to train in Musical Theatre – the Associated Studios and KSA Performing Arts. Kelly trained at KSA from 2012 – 2013 where she was featured in an advert for Microsoft Bing and played the main role of Lucifer in her final show at the Leicester Square Theatre on Londons West End. Kelly graduated with double Distinction (86%) from KSA and ACTL Trinity.

Kelly then worked for Allowance Records as a vocalist and worked abroad as a singer (TMC) and went on tour with Pyramid Pantomimes as Aladdin.


Since relocating to Devon, Kelly has built up a portfolio of work including:

Music Practitioner: CEDA, Turning Tides Project
Private Vocal Coaching: Okehampton Singing Lessons, South West Music School
Band / Vocal Coach: OCRA Music Project
Vocalist / Keys: Silverlight Function Band

Kelly has also recently been funded to partake in Inclusive Practitioner Training with Bristol Plays Music and has been funded by the Devon Music Hub to complete the Trinity CME (Certificate of Music Educators). Further workshops include musical theatre masterclasses with Natalie Weiss and Benjamin Newsome, and conducting workshops with Bristol Plays Music.

The Okehampton Singers have two intakes per year after each concert – January and June. The singers still rehearse through the summer holidays but understand individuals will have holiday commitments.

There is no memberships fee to join the Okehampton Singers but we request that members pay for each month in advance on the first session of the month. On a four week month this is £20 per month and on a five week month it is £25.

Fees cover:
MD Rehearsal fee
Accompanist rehearsal fee
Room Hire
Administrative time and planning
Music
Occasional photocopying
Refreshments
Insurance
‘Kitty’ money to cover emergencies (i.e keyboard / stand needs replacing)

No refunds can be given for missed sessions. Several missed sessions may result in an informal chat about commitment to the Singers as there is currently a waiting lost of individuals wanting to join.