Smiles all round after singing workshop

Monday, 3 November 2025 16:03

A singing workshop was held at the Clarke Foley Community Hub

The Clarke Foley Community Hub opened its doors to a fabulous morning of singing last Saturday, led by local resident and Natural Voice Leader Keely Hodgson.

Over sixty people of all ages and voices attended the workshop which was organised by Ilkley Live, as part of its drive to unite the community through the joy of live music.

As Keely says:

‘The natural voice is the voice we are born with - it’s not about having a “good voice” or “getting it right.

“Throughout the ages singing songs has been a way of life, bringing communities together.”

The group worked together - sometimes seated, sometimes standing, at other times mingling around the room - to produce a wonderful mixture of one-part and four-part harmonies. Some of the tunes were sung as one group, others were done in a round, and the result was a joyous and uplifting experience of glorious music made up entirely of the natural voice and demonstrated how you don’t always need instruments or technology to produce glorious sounds!

Everyone who attended left the hall with a smile on their face and humming one of the foot-tapping tunes.

A spokesperson for Ilkley Live said:

“Ilkley Live would like to say a particular thank you to Keely, who gave her time and shared her love of singing so generously and led the group so skillfully, and to Rachel Websdale who co-ordinated the event.”

The next event on the Ilkley Live calendar is the Blues Festival at the Ilkley Playhouse on Friday 14 November. Tickets are available from: ilkleyplayhouse.co.uk

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