S-T-R-E-T-C-H project
STRETCH singers sharing work in progress: Angela Reith's 'Come. come whoever you are' at the Big Friendly Sing 17th Dec '24

I'm very much looking forward to the Summer '25 series of the S-T-R-E-T-C-H project. The premise is to bring together a small group of committed, confident singers who are interested in the challenge of working on: sound quality, accuracy, tuning, blend and interpretation in the lovely acoustic of Carleen Village Hall (with a maximum 24 voices). 

Each term the 8 or 9 sessions of the S-T-R-E-T-C-H project will form a self-contained 'series' in which we concentrate on singing a small number of songs in a variety of styles, suited to the voices available. The idea is to learn and work on songs for the pleasure of singing beautiful a capella harmony music as well as we can, while enjoying the challenge and satisfaction of pushing ourselves to improve - individually and as a group. The focus will be on the process - not performance. We may choose to share something we've been working informally e.g. at a 'Big Friendly Sing' ... but this would be a group decision, not a pressure. 

Practical details:
  • Tuesday mornings
STRETCH Project PROVISIONAL Dates - Autumn 2025 to Summer 2026 (NB not always consecutive weeks)
​​(9 sessions per term term)

  • 10.00am - 12.15pm (with a 15 minute BYO coffee break)
  • Carleen Village Hall, TR13 9QP (good parking, access and great acoustic for singing)

Autumn 2025:
  1. 14th Oct
  2. 21st Oct
  3. 4th Nov
  4. 11th Nov
  5. 18th Nov
  6. 25th Nov
  7. 2nd Dec
  8. 9th Dec
  9. 16th Dec

Winter 2026:
  1. 13th Jan
  2. 20th Jan
  3. 27th Jan
  4. 3rd Feb
  5. 10th Feb
  6. 24th Feb
  7. 3rd March
  8. 17th March
  9. 24th March

Summer 2026:
  1. 5th May
  2. 12th May
  3. 19th May
  4. 2nd June
  5. 9th June
  6. 16th June
  7. 30th June
  8. 7th July
  9. 14th July

The S-T-R-E-T-C-H project suits singers who are:
  • Motivated and excited by the idea of a collective vocal challenge 
  • Able to sing in tune and hold their part confidently with 2 or 3 other voices
  • Either: able to read music and / or willing and able to learn parts (accurately) from sound files of individual parts sent out in advance
  • Willing to listen with as much attention as we sing 
  • Willing to experiment
  • Willing to review music / words between sessions
  • Open and committed to the project ...
  • Able to make at least 7 dates of the 9 dates of the Winter '25 S-T-R-E-T-C-H series
 
  • Cost: £81 - payable in advance once your place is confirmed (you are welcome to request a 'pay what you can' bursary place if that would enable you to participate - please don't let financial resource be a barrier to singing).
  • NB you need to be confident you are free to attend at least 7 of the 9 sessions to sign up for the series.
  • How to Book: There are currently no vacancies for STRETCH. If vacancies become available Pip will let singers know via her mailing list and invite expressions of interest. For current singers payment by BACs is due before the start of the series to confirm your place.