City Sirens was formed in September 2013, after a group of ladies who had been on the waiting list for another choir came together with the help of professional singer, Tom Colwell.

Emma received an email from the choir’s waiting list saying it was closing and so she decided to email all the other ladies on the list to see if she could start something up with them. Though she has no musical teaching experience herself she asked the group if they knew anyone who could help.

Amazingly, one of the ladies on the list lived in the same building as Tom, and lo and behold, later that same day, Emma and Tom were discussing setting up the new choir. Whilst the group has only been going a short time, it is great to see it growing from strength to strength with new members, and more adventurous musical arrangements.

The aim of the group is to sing close harmonies ‘a capella’ (in the manner of the chapel) something which has become quite popular recently through the popular TV show Glee and films such as Pitch Perfect.

However, the practice has been around for centuries, and barbershop quartets are very popular in the United States. Indeed, co-founder Emma led a similar group at University which was the inspiration for City Sirens.

During 2015 Tom, our Musical Director shared the role with our committed committee member Cat who stepped in for Tom when it was clear his career was taking him on to new things. We are sad to say that Tom has now left us, but we are excited for new opportunities in the future.