A NEW youth choir has launched in Andover, offering the chance for young people to share their passion for music and singing.

As previously reported, Clare Oliver, who is also musical director of Andover Ladies’ Choir, was keen to bring the new choir to life when coronavirus restrictions lifted, and is pleased to announce that the group has now had its first session.

“W had 15 children come on Monday for the first session and they all gave it everything.

“We sang a mixture of African stuff, some in Italian. We did some Disney, and some movement too.

“The best quote of the night was from one girl who said ‘I want this to go on forever’.”

Clare has put safety measures in place, including asking all participants to sanitise their hands on arrival, and to stand spaced aprt, with bean bag markers on the floor.

She continued: “It was just lovely to have children following my lead and getting them to understand that words are not just words, they mean something.

“It was really special to have children who don;t have the opportunity to do that otherwise, and they get to be with children who also all love singing . When you create music together it’s that feeling that you are with people who all enjoy doing the same thing you do.”

Clare added that “anyone can come and try the choir for free on their first session”, before committing to a membership of £20 a month.

The choir rehearses at Winton Community Academy on Monday evenings, with a Junior Section for Years 4-6 from 6pm-7pm and then a senior section from Years 7-11 from 7:15pm.

Anyone interested should contact Clare Oliver on 07970 139395 or send an email to clareoliver.ayc@gmail.com