email Riff Raff, the bristol choir

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.

performance dates


  • Sat 11th Aug

choir term dates


  • WINTER TERM:
    16th Jan - 6th Mar (8 week term)

  • SPRING TERM:
    2nd Apr - 22nd May (8 week term)

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

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 10-15 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 10-15 minute break in the middle.

are there spaces available?

We have new member sessions 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 immediately (just fill in the register your interest form on the right). If you are a woman, you MAY have to go on the waiting list for a short time. However, spaces do become available quite regularly, 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.

next taster sessions


Taster sessions are £5. If you enjoy the session and decide after your taster that you would like to join Riff Raff we ask that you pay for the remainder of the term at your second session.

  • Mon 16th Jan: Hen & Chicken @ 7.45pm

  • Tue 17th Jan: The Lansdown @ 7.45pm

price

Taster session: £5
6 Week Term: £42
7 Week Term: £49
8 Week Term: £56
Pay as you go: £8 per 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!

past performances

view list

past workshops

view list

  • Queen: Sat 14th Aug '10
  • Michael Jackson: Sun 8th May '11

past & current repertoire

Here is a list of songs the choir has sung or is currently singing:
view list

  • 9 to 5 by Dolly Parton
  • Breaking Up Is Hard To Do
    by Neil Sedaka
  • California Dreaming
    by The Mamas & The Papas
  • Caravan Of Love by The Flying Pickets
  • Faith by George Michael
  • I Want To Break Free by Queen
  • It Means Nothing by Stereophonics
  • Joe Rey by Fountains Of Wayne
  • La Isla Bonita by Madonna
  • Lollipop by The Ronettes
  • Long Train Runnin'
    by The Doobie Brothers
  • Man In The Mirror by Michael Jackson
  • Otherwise by Morcheeba
  • Patience by Take That
  • Radio Ga Ga by Queen
  • Rehab by Amy Winehouse
  • Shackles (Praise You) by Mary Mary
  • Sleigh Ride by The Ronettes
  • Somebody To Love by Queen
  • Tender by Blur
  • The Look by Roxette
  • Thriller by Michael Jackson
  • Time After Time by Cyndi Lauper
  • White Winter Hymnal by Fleet Foxes

upcoming socials