Young Okehampton singers on song thanks to grant

A group of young Okehampton singers will be striking the right notes thanks to a grant donation from West Devon Borough Council.

The Okehampton Youth Chorus is planning a residential weekend for its 18 members, where younger singers can develop their vocal skills, and the older members learn new peer mentoring and education techniques.

The chorus of 8 -14 year olds sing a mix of traditional English and world music, performing at a wide variety of community events. The group are always on the lookout for new talent and the only eligibility requirement is that new members are young and enthusiastic.

Over the past year the choral group have hosted young singers from as far as the Czech Republic and South Africa. The weekend residency project contributes not only to the Council's Sustainable Community Strategy, it also gives young people the opportunity to experience working with others from different cultures, celebrating local cultural heritage through music.    

West Devon Borough Council runs a number of grant schemes including Community Projects, Village Halls. Sports Development, Arts and Economic Development and Regeneration grants, all of which are a great help to rural communities who want to maintain, improve or bring new facilities into their area. For more information on these grant schemes please contact the Council's Countryside and Community Projects Officer, Rob Sekula on 01822 813701 or email rsekula@westdevon.gov.uk.

For details of this and many other music groups in the area go to www.wrenmusic.co.uk/groups.php