Blog Archives - THE GOOD AFTERNOON CHOIRS

Keynsham Big Sing

6/19/2025

Wednesday July 23 is the date of a very special musical event which will take place in St John’s Church, Keynsham.

A singing workshop in the afternoon, followed by an evening concert is being organised by Keynsham’s popular Good Afternoon Choir. From 2pm-5pm a fun workshop will take place and this will be led by Laurie Jones and John Hare. Laurie is Head of Music at Westonbirt School and the youngest son of Good Afternoon Choir Founder, Grenville Jones. John Hare lives in Keynsham, is a freelance musician and the conductor of the weekly Keynsham Good Afternoon Choir.

“It’s going to be a great day of music with new pieces to learn in the afternoon by the hundred plus singers who will attend the workshop. Then in the evening from 7pm (until approximately 9.15pm) there will be a concert at which the special guest is Gavin Osborn. Gavin is a hugely popular entertainer who is well known for his BBC Radio 4 and Radio 6 broadcasts. He has toured across the UK, Europe and Australia and we are delighted that he is coming to entertain us on July 23,” says Grenville.

Tickets are selling quickly for this day of music and if you would like to take part in the workshop and evening concert (music will be provided) please contact the Good Afternoon Choir office on 01761 472468 with tickets priced £15.
If you could like to come along to the evening concert only, tickets priced £8 are available in advance from gac.ticketlight.co.uk or by calling 0844 888 9991 and will be available on the door.

There are now 35 Good Afternoon Choirs across the West of England and singers representing many of the choirs will be attending the workshop and concert. For full details see www.goodafternoonchoir.org

Images show (left) Keynsham Good Afternoon Choir leader John Hare and (right) special guest for the evening concert Gavin Osborn.

Chepstow's Festival of Singing

6/18/2025

Save the date… for Chepstow’s Festival of Singing on Friday June 27 at The Drill Hall Chepstow. It will feature the Chepstow Good Afternoon Choir performing at 7.25pm.

Good Afternoon Choir founder Grenville Jones said;

There are now 35 Good Afternoon Choirs across the West of England, South Wales and London and our leader Andrew Kirk conducts Chepstow Good Afternoon Choir. They rehearse every Thursday from 1pm-3pm at Chepstow Baptist Church. There are no auditions, and new singers are always welcome to go along and ‘discover’ Singing in the Afternoon.

Tickets for the festival are priced £5 and available from the Drill Hall website - https://drillhallchepstow.co.uk/event/celebrating-singing-together/

LOVE TO SING?

6/18/2025

The Swansea Good Afternoon Choir invite everyone to join them for a ‘Summer Sing-Along’ event at St James’ Church Hall on Tuesday July 8 at 1.00pm.

The Swansea Good Afternoon Choir is led by Dana Jean-Phoenix, and they are busy preparing a programme for the day.

The Good Afternoon Choirs were started by Bath-based music man Grenville 16 years ago and there are now 35 across the South West of England, South Wales and London, with over 1,600 members ‘Singing in the Afternoon’.

There are no auditions to join, your first rehearsal is free, and members of the Swansea Good Afternoon Choir come from in and around the area. They meet every Tuesday afternoon from 1pm-3pm at St James’ Church Hall, led by Dana Jean-Phoenix. Everyone is welcome to come along to meet Dana and the members of the choir, where the emphasis is on singing and having fun.

‘Summer Sing Along’ with Swansea Good Afternoon Choir, free admission and there will be tea and cake available.

Grenville said;

“It is going to be a great afternoon with lots of singing as well as tea and cake, why not come along, I’ll see you on the day!.”

LOVE TO SING?

6/17/2025

The Swansea Good Afternoon Choir invite everyone to join them for a ‘Summer Sing-Along’ event at St James’ Church Hall on Tuesday July 8 at 1.00pm.

The Swansea Good Afternoon Choir is led by Dana Jean-Phoenix, and they are busy preparing a programme for the day.

The Good Afternoon Choirs were started by Bath-based music man Grenville 16 years ago and there are now 35 across the South West of England, South Wales and London, with over 1,600 members ‘Singing in the Afternoon’.

There are no auditions to join, your first rehearsal is free, and members of the Swansea Good Afternoon Choir come from in and around the area. They meet every Tuesday afternoon from 1pm-3pm at St James’ Church Hall, led by Dana Jean-Phoenix. Everyone is welcome to come along to meet Dana and the members of the choir, where the emphasis is on singing and having fun.

‘Summer Sing Along’ with Swansea Good Afternoon Choir, free admission and there will be tea and cake available.

Grenville said;

“It is going to be a great afternoon with lots of singing as well as tea and cake, why not come along, I’ll see you on the day!.”

ENDS

Joint GAC concert with the Ivy Green

6/4/2025

The popular Highworth with Shrivenham and North Swindon Good Afternoon Choirs will welcome The Ivy Green as their special guests at Immanuel URC on Saturday July 12 at 7.00pm (doors open 6.30pm).

The Highworth with Shrivenham and North Swindon Good Afternoon Choirs are led by Sarah Summers and they are busy preparing their programme for the concert which will support the choir’s 2025 chosen charity, Prospect Hospice.

The Good Afternoon Choirs were started by Bath-based Grenville 16 years ago and there are now 34 across the South West of England, South Wales and London, with over 1,600 members ‘Singing in the Afternoon’.

There are no auditions to join, your first rehearsal is free, and members of our Good Afternoon Choirs come from in and around the areas. Highworth with Shrivenham meet every Wednesday afternoon from 1pm-3pm at Highworth Community Centre and North Swindon meet every Thursday afternoon from 1pm-3pm at St John’s Haydon Wick, both choirs are led by Sarah Summers. Everyone is welcome to come along to meet Sarah and the members of the choirs, where the emphasis is on singing and having fun.

The special guests for the concert will be the The Ivy Green, a new creative project from Swindon-based folk singers and musicians Chantelle Smith and Jessie Thompson.

This is a FREE ADMISSION event so why not come along to Immanuel URC on Saturday July 12 to enjoy an evening of music and song.

Grenville said;

“It is going to be a great evening and we are absolutely delighted to be welcoming Chantelle and Jessie as The Ivy Green.”

Highworth with Shrivenham GAC

North Swindon GAC

Taunton GAC concert guest cellist Chris Sampson

6/4/2025

The very popular Taunton Good Afternoon Choir will welcome Cellist Chris Sampson as their special guest at Temple Methodist Church, Taunton, on Saturday July 19 at 7.30pm (doors open 7.00pm).

The Taunton Good Afternoon Choir is led by Chris Grabham and they are busy preparing their programme for the concert which will support the choir’s 2025 chosen charity, St Margaret’s Hospice Care.

The Good Afternoon Choirs were started by Bath-based Grenville 16 years ago and there are now 34 across the South West of England, South Wales and London, with over 1,600 members ‘Singing in the Afternoon’.

There are no auditions to join, your first rehearsal is free, and members of our Good Afternoon Choir come from in and around the area. Taunton meet every Tuesday afternoon from 2pm-4pm at Temple Methodist Church, Taunton, and is led by Chris Grabham. Everyone is welcome to come along to meet Chris and the members of the choir, where the emphasis is on singing and having fun.

The special guest for the concert will be Cellist Chris Sampson. Chris grew up in Taunton and is always in demand as a freelance cellist, conductor, composer and teacher. As a cellist he performs regularly with orchestras and chamber ensembles around the South-West.

Tickets priced £8 are on sale in advance from gac.ticketlight.co.uk or by calling 0844 888 9991 – they will also be available on the door on the evening of the concert.

Grenville said;

“It is going to be a great evening of music and song and we are absolutely delighted to be welcoming Chris Sampson to Temple Methodist Church.”

Taunton Good Afternoon Choir

Chris Sampson

Come to Malmesbury GAC Summer sing-along

6/4/2025

Come along to meet and discover your local community Malmesbury Good Afternoon Choir on Saturday July 2 at the Old School Room in Malmesbury Town Hall, 2pm-4pm, where everyone is welcome to join them for their Summer sing-along.

The Malmesbury Good Afternoon Choir is led by Corrie Darker and they are busy preparing their programme for the Summer sing-along.

The Good Afternoon Choirs were started by Bath-based Grenville 16 years ago and there are now 34 across the South West of England, South Wales and London, with over 1,600 members ‘Singing in the Afternoon’.

There are no auditions to join, your first rehearsal is free, and members of our Malmesbury Good Afternoon Choir come from in and around the area. Malmesbury meet every Wednesday afternoon from 2pm-4pm. Everyone is welcome to come along to meet Corrie and the members of the choir where the emphasis is on having fun.

The sing-along is free admission, so why not come along for a fun afternoon of singing and to meet your local community Good Afternoon Choir.

Grenville said;

“It is going to be a great afternoon of music and song at Malmesbury Town Hall.”

Malmesbury Good Afternoon Choir at a recent concert

New Leaders for the Cornish Good Afternoon Choirs

6/2/2025

Grenville Jones, the Founder of 34 Good Afternoon Choirs around the West Country and beyond, is delighted to announce a new Leadership team for his Cornish Choirs. Good Afternoon Choirs are non-audition, community choirs for both male and female voices and there are currently three of these fun and friendly choirs in Cornwall:

Truro Good Afternoon Choir rehearses on a Monday afternoon 1.00-3.00pm at Truro Methodist Church, Truro TR1 1EP. The Choir is now being conducted by Barry Hawken and accompanied by Hannah Hawken (no relation!).

Newquay Good Afternoon Choir rehearses on a Thursday afternoon 1.00-3.00pm at St Michael’s Church Hall, Newquay TR7 1RA. The Choir is now also being conducted by Barry Hawken and accompanied by Ruth Best.

Falmouth Good Afternoon Choir rehearses on a Friday afternoon 1.00-3.00pm at Emmanuel Baptist Church, Falmouth TR11 4QJ. The Choir is now being conducted by Martin Palmer and accompanied by Ruth Best.

Barry and Martin are both highly experienced musicians and choir leaders who are certain to lead the choirs on an exciting, musical journey. If you would like to take part then come along to any rehearsal, alone or with a friend – either way you are assured of a warm welcome from both the choir and it’s new Leader! If you have any queries please call the Good Afternoon Choir office on 01761 472468.

Grenville says:

“Singing in the afternoon is brilliant, there is no hassle about driving in the dark and for further information on our choirs please see www.goodafternoonchoir.org. Come along and meet us.”

New Leaders for the Cornish Good Afternoon Choirs

Grenville Jones, the Founder of 34 Good Afternoon Choirs around the West Country and beyond, is delighted to announce a new Leadership team for his Cornish Choirs. Good Afternoon Choirs are non-audition, community choirs for both male and female voices and there are currently three of these fun and friendly choirs in Cornwall:

Truro Good Afternoon Choir rehearses on a Monday afternoon 1.00-3.00pm at Truro Methodist Church, Truro TR1 1EP. The Choir is now being conducted by Barry Hawken and accompanied by Hannah Hawken (no relation!).

Newquay Good Afternoon Choir rehearses on a Thursday afternoon 1.00-3.00pm at St Michael’s Church Hall, Newquay TR7 1RA. The Choir is now also being conducted by Barry Hawken and accompanied by Ruth Best.

Falmouth Good Afternoon Choir rehearses on a Friday afternoon 1.00-3.00pm at Emmanuel Baptist Church, Falmouth TR11 4QJ. The Choir is now being conducted by Martin Palmer and accompanied by Ruth Best.

Barry and Martin are both highly experienced musicians and choir leaders who are certain to lead the choirs on an exciting, musical journey. If you would like to take part then come along to any rehearsal, alone or with a friend – either way you are assured of a warm welcome from both the choir and it’s new Leader! If you have any queries please call the Good Afternoon Choir office on 01761 472468.

Grenville says:

“Singing in the afternoon is brilliant, there is no hassle about driving in the dark and for further information on our choirs please see www.goodafternoonchoir.org. Come along and meet us.”

Barry Hawken

Martyn Palmer

Hannah Hawken

Ruth Best

Sing Out!

6/2/2025

The popular Cirencester & Stroud Good Afternoon Choir welcome the Cirencester Community Flute Choir as their special concert guests at Cirencester Baptist Church on Saturday July 19, at 7.30pm (doors open 7.00pm).

The Cirencester & Stroud Good Afternoon Choir is led by John Sandford and they are busy preparing their programme for the concert which will support the choir’s 2025 chosen charity, The Churn Project. The Churn Project supports the communities of the Cirencester area by reducing isolation and improving the wellbeing of those who are lonely, experiencing poverty or mental health issues, or who are at a point of crisis or transition in their lives.

The Good Afternoon Choirs were started by Bath-based Grenville Jones 16 years ago and there are now 34 across the South West of England, South Wales and London, with over 1,600 members ‘Singing in the Afternoon’.

There are no auditions to join and your first rehearsal is free – come alone or with a friend! Cirencester & Stroud Good Afternoon Choir meet every Tuesday afternoon from 2pm-4pm at Cirencester Baptist Church. Everyone is welcome to come along to meet John and the members of the choir, where the emphasis is on singing and having fun.

Special guests for the concert will be Cirencester Community Flute Choir, who play various sizes of flute, and whose sets will include solos from their leader, Clemency Rubinstein.

Tickets priced £8 are on sale from gac.ticketlight.co.uk or by calling 0844 888 9991 – they will also be available on the door on the evening of the concert.

Grenville, the Choir Founder, says:

“This will be another very special concert for our members with a mix of music to suit everyone. It will be a great night of music for Jon and the Choir who very much look forward to welcoming the Cirencester Community Flute Choir to entertain you.”

Cirencester & Stroud GAC

Cirencester Community Flute Choir