"Serenade" is the much-loved Shepshed Women's Community Choir. 
Do you enjoy singing?
Do you want to support your local community?
Do you want to have a giggle with other women of Shepshed?
If so, then COME AND SEE US!
No need to audition, you choose the part of the choir you are comfortable singing in and you can change your mind if you want to sing a different part at any point. Choir sessions are kept relaxed and informal so there is no pressure. Whether you are a trained singer or someone who just enjoys a sing in the shower EVERYONE IS WELCOME.
Performing at local events is something that we really enjoy, as a member you are welcome to join in at any performance. Should you prefer not to perform that’s OK too.
Our weekly meetings/rehearsals are held at Iveshead School on Mondays from 7.30pm to 9.00pm. There is a minimal charge of £3.00 per week to cover our expenses.
Rehearsals run during term-time only so please check our 'When & Where' page for forthcoming rehearsal dates.
If you would like to know more, then please click here and get in touch!
Who can join - Anyone and Everyone?
a) Being female b) Being aged 16 years or over c) Living in, or having links to Shepshed d) Enjoying singing
If you have answered ‘Yes’ to these, then get in touch and come and try us out!
Serenade was brought to life by two Shepshed mums - Keleigh Atkin and Angela Bogie. Both loved singing and making music and were inspired by the likes of Gareth and his Military Wives to use this love of song to bring the women of Shepshed together and, at the same time, raise money for local causes and charities.
Since then the choir has grown and become an established part of the local community. At the end of the first year we chose a Steering Group to help run the choir and to keep delivering the fun sessions our members come for.
We look forward to welcoming you to Serenade - come and say hello!
Keleigh Atkin, Role: Chair
About Keleigh
Nicole Jordan, Role: Musical Director
About Nicole
Louise Dodson, Role: Treasurer
About Louise
Hello! I’m Lou and I joined the Steering Group in October 2018. I am the first person that people tend to see when they arrive on a Monday evening as they hand in their subs, so I like to be as smiley and welcoming as possible!
I moved to Shepshed in 2006 having grown up in London, and my whole life is now based here. My 2 children attend Newcroft Primary Academy and are involved in various Shepshed youth groups. I help to run a Brownie pack and also lead Children’s Church at St Botolph’s on a regular basis. My job as a bookkeeper is also based in Shepshed so I am well and truly bedded in!
Singing is something I always wanted to do but never had the courage to try. I then met Keleigh and she was my way in to Serenade, providing me with the push I needed to try it out. I am so grateful to her as I absolutely LOVE Serenade. Learning the harmonies is my favourite part, as well as singing in the concerts – who knew I would enjoy performing?! I love that singing provides an escape from everything else I do. It’s a time where I can unwind and forget about everything else. I had no idea that singing would be so therapeutic! It sounds so corny, but it really is lovely to spend Monday evenings with such a wonderful group of ladies.
Mal Gargett, Role: Secretary
About Mal
Sharon Brightman and Bonnie Atkin, Role: Refreshments
About Bonnie and Sharon
Clare Fountain, Role: Social Media
About Clare
Vanessa Wright, Role: Accompanist
About Vanessa
Pam Alford, Role: Fundraising/Sponsorship
About Pam
Nia Weller, Role: Music
About Nia
I work as an IT specialist for DXC Technology, but I'm a librarian at heart so hope I'll be well-suited to my new role organising, purchasing and distributing music.
On those rare moments when I'm not busy with work & family I can be found curled up on the sofa with a cup of coffee and a good book 🙂
Tracy Burton, Role: Publicity
About Tracy
I'm new to the choir, but have always loved singing to all types of music! I used to be in the church choir many moons ago and it's great learning to sing as an alto. My role is publicity - it's up to me to get Serenade noticed in the local press and make everyone aware locally who we are, what we do, and importantly where we do it and how to get to see us! So, if you have written an interesting article about Serenade you would like to have published, then I'll be happy to make it so..
Wendy Saley, Role: Uniform
About Wendy
In real life I am retired, I am one of the older members of the choir. In my spare time I like to paint, I serve as Chairman to the Glenmore Art group and I am also on the committee of the Loughborough Flower Lovers. I have recently inherited my Partner’s dog which has added a new dimension to my life, not something I had anticipated, she is a very sweet Jack Russell, and mostly well behaved......
Alison Hever and Angie Whitmore, Role: New Members
About Alison and Angie
Alison -
I have been singing with Serenade since it first started. My Mum spotted an advert in the Shepshed Echo and so we thought we would give it a try. We were astounded on that very first evening as there were around 80 ladies in attendance. I don't believe the co-founders had expected such a fantastic turnout! I believe that since it's conception Serenade has gone from strength to strength, we have progressed from singing in English to singing in Italian and we now also include a few 'dance' moves. I absolutely love my Monday evenings and always feel uplifted by the end of the session.I have recently joined the steering committee and my role is to welcome new members. So please do sign up any of you ladies out there who would like to join a very welcoming, fun and exciting ladies choir, you won't regret it!
We are working hard to grow our repertoire and this is what we have achieved so far:
· Amarillo - Neil Sedaka
· Anvil Chorus – Giuseppe Verdi
· Ave Verum - W.A.Mozart
· Bridge Over Troubled Water - Simon and Garfunkel
. Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen
· Chattanooga Choo Choo - Warren and Gordon
· California Dreaming - John & Michelle Phillips
· Dedicated To The One I Love – Lowman Pauling & Ralph Bass
· Disney Medley – arranged by Alan Billingsley
· Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend - from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes - Jule Styne & Leo Robin arranged by Angela Bogie
· Downtown - Tony Hatch
· Greensleeves – Words Elaine Stevenson Arranged by Tom Stanyard
· Hail Holy Queen – from Sister Act arranged by Marc Shaiman
· Hallelujah - Leonard Cohen
· Joseph & the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat Medley – Andrew Lloyd Webber & Tim Rice
· I Dreamed a Dream - from Les Miserables by Schonberg & Kretzmer
. I Have a Dream - Westlife
· I Know Him So Well - from Chess by Rice, Anderson and Ulvaeus
· Les Miserables Medley – Arranged by Ed Lojeski
· Memory - Andrew Lloyd Webber and Trevor Nunn
. Moon River - Danny Williams
· My Heart Will Go On – from Titanic - James Horner & Will Jennings
· Oliver Medley
· Over the Rainbow - Arlen & Harburg
· Que Sera, Sera - Jay Livingston & Ray Evans
· Say a Little Prayer - Burt Bacharach and Hal David
· Something Inside - Labi Siffre
· Sing - Andrew Lloyd Webber & Gary Barlow
· Thank You For The Music - Benny Andersson & Björn Ulvaeus
· Wherever You Are - Paul Mealor