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Building intergenerational connections through singing
12 Choirs supports mental health and wellbeing by partnering community groups for people aged 50+ with primary schools across London to create 12 intergenerational choirs.
Each choir will be supported by a musical director and assistant facilitator, and has three rehearsals before they perform their festive concert at The Old Vic.
Each concert at The Old Vic is free and open to friends, family and the local community.
The programme will include:
- A Meet and Greet Workshop: An event welcoming primary school teachers and community group leaders onto the project. This will be an opportunity to learn more about the 12 Choirs programme, meet the choir your group has been paired with and meet the musical director and assistant facilitator supporting the project
- Three 90-minute rehearsals: Each primary school and community group will meet for three 90-minute rehearsals before their concert date. All rehearsals will take place at either the primary school or the community group’s venue (alternatively a space can be hired by The Old Vic if neither space is suitable)
- Concert: Each primary school and community group will be welcomed to the theatre and begin the day with an onstage rehearsal. The final performance will be made up of three intergenerational choirs, each singing two songs (one chosen by the community group and one chosen by the primary school). There will be two additional sing-along songs the choirs will perform together and invite the audience to join in.
Meet and Greet Workshop: Thu 01 Oct, 4.30–6.30pm
Rehearsals: Mon 12 Oct–Fri 27 Nov
(Primary schools and community groups will select three 90-minute rehearsals across these seven weeks — excluding the half term holidays: Mon 26–Fri 30 Oct)
Concerts (primary schools and community groups will perform in one of the following concert days):
Tues 01 Dec, 10am–1.30pm
Fri 04 Dec, 10am–1.30pm
Fri 11 Dec, 10am–1.30pm
To take part, please complete a 12 Choirs application form. Applications will close on Fri 29 May, 5pm.
Please contact us at 12choirs@oldvictheatre.com if you have any questions or want to know more about the project.
Who is the programme for:
- This programme is open to any primary school or community group
- You don’t have to be an existing choir, just a class or group who likes to sing and wants to try new things
- We are looking for groups who would like to connect intergenerationally with others
- We are particularly interested in working with schools and groups with limited access to the arts.
Groups and schools must:
- Have no more than 30 students/members
- Have flexible availability over the programme dates and be able to commit to three rehearsals and one concert date
- Have enough staff to safely support their group in rehearsals and at the concert.
- This project aims to be fully accessible. We will discuss any access requirements your group may have before the project begins and ensure appropriate support is in place
- We can adapt rehearsal content to suit your students/group members
- We can bring in additional staff to support students/group members during rehearsals and concerts
- Travel expenses can be claimed if needed
- This programme is offered free of charge to primary schools and community groups.
If you would like to discuss any access requirements or if you have any questions before applying, please contact 12choirs@oldvictheatre.com
If you have any questions, please contact 12choirs@oldvictheatre.com
How will you be pairing the schools and community groups?
We will consider location and group size as well as any availability preferences you may have when pairing schools and community groups. Please say if you are able to travel and or host rehearsals in your school/community venue.
Do we need to be an existing choir?
This programme is open to any primary school or community group for people aged 50+ in London. You don’t have to be an existing choir, just a class or group who likes to sing.
Will you cover travel expenses?
Yes, travel expenses to rehearsals and the concert can be claimed if needed.
Where will rehearsals take place?
Each rehearsal can be hosted by either the primary school or the community group (alternatively a space can be hired by The Old Vic if neither space is suitable).
Is the project accessible for people with access requirements?
Yes, this project aims to be fully accessible. We will discuss any access requirements your group may have before the project begins and ensure appropriate support is in place.
Can friends and family attend the concert?
Yes, primary schools and community groups can invite friends and family to watch. The Old Vic will also invite local community members and Old Vic staff to attend. Each concert will culminate in a choir and audience sing-along.
What songs will we be singing?
Each community group chooses one song and each primary school chooses one song. There will be two additional sing-along songs, where the choirs sing together and invite the audience to join in.
My choir adored every moment! Only a handful of members had ever been to The Old Vic before. The Old Vic’s efforts in making this such an inclusive event has inspired and encouraged all of them to step foot into the theatre.
Please can we come again!
The final show was a heart-warming experience. You could feel the joy in the theatre through both the children’s and adults’ performances.