CCOTS - The Community Choir of Oxhill, Tysoe and Shenington

Our fantastic community choir was founded in 2022 and has been led by our ever energetic and inspirational Musical Director, Anna Harcourt ever since.

When we started the choir we had about 20 regular members and no funds. In the first year we were very lucky to be awarded two grants that saw us through that year. Since then the choir has grown and widened its geographic appeal. We now have just short of 40 regular members and singers come from Wroxton, Hornton, the Pillertons, Brailes and Ettington as well as the closer villages that we used to form our name.

We sing a wide variety of music, from choral pieces to contemporary, from Gospel to Pop, and many from Musical Theatre. We know that not everyone will love every song we sing but Anna tries hard to ensure that there is something for everyone, and is always open to suggestions from members, subject to the music being available and the arrangement being practical for our choir. It’s fair to say that most songs are thoroughly enjoyed by everyone, and they often grow on those that weren’t sure in the first place once we start to sing them.

The choir is really friendly, and open to everyone. There is no need to be able to read music although it can be a help. However, we always provide teach tracks for each voice part for every song we sing, and all of us find these very useful learning aids, whether music readers or not.

We perform several times a year at various events, and have sung at weddings, in concerts and at events like the Holly Tree Fair and at the Natural Burial Ground. We are planning to sing at Upton House later this year and, if it goes well, we hope that it might become an annual event.

Performing is not compulsory – everyone is welcome, but no-one has to if they would prefer not to.

In September we are planning an exciting new venture when we will run our own “Come and Sing”, with songs from West Side Story. This is open to everyone, choir members and non-members alike, so anyone who thinks that singing in a choir might be for them, this is the ideal opportunity to find out what it’s all about.

For all enquiries about the choir and about any of our events, please contact us at: treasurer@ccots.org.uk or at MD@ccots.org.uk.