The friendliest choir in town

The Golden Voices Choir formed in 2010. They rehearse every week at the iconic Band on the Wall in Manchester’s trendy Northern Quarter.

Julie Jones is the chairperson. She organises all their bookings and applies for grants. The choir is open to anyone over 50 and they sing a mixture of pop and traditional music.

Now with over 40 members, the choir perform all over Manchester and, this summer, they took their talents outside, bringing a touch of class to our family fun days.

A wonderful gift

Rose Hodgson, Musical Director, has worked with the choir for three years. She said: "Choir members get great health benefits from our sessions. Singing is a fantastic way of addressing respiratory issues; with practice, our voices get stronger it really gives your system a good work out."

The choir also perform in retirement housing schemes and care homes.

Noel Cowell, tenor, finds it especially rewarding to perform for people with dementia. “We stand there and sing to them,” he said. “At first they just look at us, but after a while the feet start to tap and then they start to join in. Singing is a wonderful gift.”

Like a family

Pauline Sergeant, soprano, enjoys the social life that comes with being part of the choir. “It’s very sociable, we’re like a family," she said. "I’m always singing, but singing in the choir gives me so much more joy.”

Northwards has sponsored the choir. We love their ethos and the opportunities they bring to older people, they are a great example of what it means to be 'Retired, not Expired'!

If you fancy joining in, you’ll be guaranteed a warm welcome. Visit https://goldenvoiceschoir.com/ to find out more.