WEMA Choir
West of England Music and Arts (WEMA) makes music, arts and culture accessible, affordable and enjoyable for all. We enable positive outcomes for people of all ages, regardless of background or perceived ability, to help build creative, nurturing and culturally-connected communities. Working across B&NES, Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, and beyond, our mission is to provide progressive, high-quality music and arts education, champion equity, diversity and inclusion and focus on improving health and wellbeing through the arts.
We deliver inclusive music education both in and outside of schools through instrumental tuition, classroom programmes, support for teachers, ensemble playing, and performance opportunities. We also offer a holistic range of Creative Health services – from music therapy to wellbeing and inclusion projects. We support everyone to achieve their creative potential and develop personal and social skills; build tangible pathways to artistic careers, and foster a greater understanding and enjoyment of diverse cultures.
As a strategic and delivery organisation, each year WEMA delivers more than 50,000 hours of music and arts activities inside and outside of schools and in communities. WEMA enables more than 450 schools and 15,000 people to participate, achieve and thrive through the power of music and the arts.
CANTILENA and WEMA JUNIOR CHOIR
WEMA’s choirs form part of a weekly Music Centre that runs, during term time, on Tuesdays at St Keyna School in Keynsham. The choirs are open to all and students don’t need to have vocal lessons to attend; they just need to love music of all kinds and enjoy singing! The Music Centre provides a fun opportunity for like-minded students to enjoy making music together and make new friendships with students outside of the school environment.
Both choirs explore a wide range of music including popular, gospel and classical styles and have at least three opportunities to perform throughout the year. This year, Cantilena has performed at St Michael’s Community Centre as part of a celebration of singing with the Voice for Life charity. They have also sung as part of the Youth Stage at this year’s ‘Party in the City’ in the Bath Forum.
If you’d like to drop in for a free taster session, contact us at create@wema.org.uk for more information. Visit www.wema.org.uk to find out more about our wider offer including instrumental groups and workshops.
BROADLANDS SCHOOL CHORAL GROUP
Following the success of their recent performance of the musical ‘Matilda’, the cast members have joined together to share some of their favourite songs with the Keynsham Festival audience. The school are hoping that this will be the launch pad for even more singing events at the school as part of their music offer for all students.