We are two experienced singing teachers

who we are & what we do

We are Elaine Wilson and Joe Blench and we co-lead Riff Raff, the funky Bristol choir, which focuses mainly on singing pop, rock and funk music in harmony. You don't need to be able to read music: all of the parts are taught by ear. There's no audition, just come along and enjoy yourself!

Elaine taught singing privately for a number of years, and Joe still teaches singing at Centre For Voice. We try to incorporate some singing techiques into our warmups and are always happy to answer questions about any aspect of singing.

Riff Raff is a very friendly choir and has regular socials. There are always a number of the choir (including Joe and Elaine) who stay behind after rehearsals for a drink at the pub.

We started Riff Raff in March 2010 with just the Tuesday evening group in Clifton. It proved to be very popular, so in September 2010 we decided to add a Monday evening group in Southville. We now have around 100 members ranging from 16 to 60, although the majority of the choir are in their 20s, 30s and 40s.

upcoming performances

Sat 19th May '12, North Street Fayre, 2pm, Southville. Fayre on North Street. Does exactly what it says on the tin.

Fri 17th August '12, evening performance at the Tobacco Factory, time TBC

choir term dates

SPRING TERM:
2nd Apr - 29th May (8 week term)
NO REHEARSAL on 7th or 8th May

SUMMER TERM:
18th Jun - 14th Aug (8 week term)
NO REHEARSAL on 16th or 17th July
Summer Gig: Fri 17th Aug

CHRISTMAS TERM:
15th Oct - 4th Dec (8 week term)

price

Taster session: £5
8 Week Term: £56*

* Please talk to us if you have cashflow issues and need to split the term cost

new evening session

We currently rehearse on Monday & Tuesday evenings (see sections below for more details), but we are hoping to start another evening rehearsal from October 2012 on either a Wednesday or Thursday evening. It will be taught by different teachers (although Elaine & Joe may make the odd guest appearance!), but will use Elaine & Joe's arrangements.

monday sessions

We rehearse on Monday evenings, upstairs in the Comedy Box room at the Hen & Chicken (210 North Street, Southville, BS3 1JF), from 7.45pm until 9.45pm with a 15 minute break in the middle.

tuesday sessions

We rehearse on Tuesday evenings, upstairs in the function room at the The Lansdown (8 Clifton Road, Clifton, BS8 1AF), from 7.45 until 9.45pm with a 15 minute break in the middle.

are there spaces available?

We have taster sessions for new members at the beginning of each term, when we make sure that we learn all new songs so you get a proper taste of how a Riff Raff choir session works.

If you are a man then you can join Riff Raff at the start of the next term (just fill in the "register your interest" form on the right to give us your details).

If you are a woman, you WILL have to go on the waiting list. However, spaces do become available every term, particularly if you are flexible about which session you would like to join, so please contact us to find out. Hopefully it should just be a case of waiting until the next taster session.

taster sessions

Taster sessions cost £5 and we hold them at the beginning of each term. However, there are only limited spaces for women, so please don't just turn up! Please fill in the "register your interest" on the right to find out if there is space or to join the waiting list.

The taster session is the same as any other choir session, it's just that we ask all the new people to come along to one session, rather than have people join in the middle of the term, which can make teaching material more difficult. If, after your taster session, you decide that you would like to join Riff Raff we ask you to pay for the remainder of the term at your second session.

register your interest now

We aim to get back to you within a week, so don't forget to check your spam folder and / or add bristolchoir@gmail.com to your contacts so you receive our reply!

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