Song Geet Choir on the hunt for singers

Lawrence Batley Theatre is proud to support the launch of a brand new South Asian Women’s choir.

Do you like Hindi, Bollywood, Punjabi and traditional folk songs? We're looking for singers!

Working with actor, singer and Lawrence Batley Theatre Community Ambassador, Madiha Ansari and Sobia Bashir, food author and content creator, the theatre will launch a dedicated South Asian women’s choir. This would be the only the third choir of its kind in the UK.

The act of singing has been proven to lessen stress, depression and anxiety and release endorphins. The choir’s aim is to provide a safe creative space for local people and reduce loneliness and isolation.

This May, choir leaders will tour to community venues across Kirklees offering free taster sessions. They are looking for women of South Asian heritage and all religious backgrounds to sing in Urdu, Punjabi, Gujrati, Pashto and Bengali. To join in, you do not need to be able to speak all languages listed. No need to book for the tasters, just be there and join in.

Following the taster sessions, the leaders will invite participants to rehearse together regularly in Lawrence Batley Theatre’s new dedicated community space Ten Queen Street. They will work towards a headline performance in the theatre’s courtyard on Sunday 6 August.

Thanks to support from Kirklees Year of Music all sessions are free to participants and the performance will also be free to attend.

Becky Atkinson, Chief Executive of Lawrence Batley Theatre, said: “Here at Lawrence Batley Theatre we are committed to making a difference to people’s everyday lives. This new choir will celebrate diverse talent from across our area and help Huddersfield to be an amazing place to live. We are striving to be the creative heart of Huddersfield and this opportunity will give those who are often excluded the chance to come together in a welcoming space and explore heritage through music.”

Taster session details:
Tue 9 May, 5pm – 6pm, Heckmondwike Library, Walkley Lane, Heckmondwike, WF16 0LY
Thu 11 May, 5pm – 6pm, Greenwood Centre, Huddersfield Road, Ravensthorpe, WF13 3JR
Sat 13 May, 3pm – 4pm, Batley Library, 14 Market Place, Batley, WF17 5DA
Sun 14 May, 1pm – 2pm, Greenwood Centre, Huddersfield Road, Ravensthorpe, WF13 3JR
Thu 18 May, 11am – 12pm, Batley Library, 14 Market Place, Batley, WF17 5DA
Tue 23 May, 5pm – 6pm, Heckmondwike Library, Walkley Lane, Heckmondwike, WF16 0LY
Thu 25 May, 11am – 12pm, Greenwood Centre, Huddersfield Road, Ravensthorpe, WF13 3JR
Sat 27 May, 3pm – 4pm, Batley Library, 14 Market Place, Batley, WF17 5DA
Sun 28 May, 1pm – 2pm, Greenwood Centre, Huddersfield Road, Ravensthorpe, WF13 3JR

No need to book - just turn up. See you there!