About Us|Serenade

"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!

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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

As a co-founder of ‘Serenade’ I am excited to be involved with the Steering Group. I am passionate about the benefits of singing and I am enthusiastic to share this with our community. I have previous experience of being on community based committee’s (Shepshed Community Plan - Steering Group) and I have also been responsible for the position of ‘Chair’ both as a volunteer (Shepshed Community Plan – Events Working Group) and at work (I am currently the Chair of the Practice Manager Forum for West Leicestershire Clinical Commissioning Group). Hopefully you will have seen how passionate I am about the benefits of singing and how enthusiastic I am for us to share this with our community - I will continue to work hard to ensure we achieve this!

Nicole Jordan, Role: Musical Director

About Nicole

I’m a born and bred Shepshedian and I’ve been singing on stage or in choirs for 33 years, since joining the Junior Choir at Christchurch and also performing the part of Gretl in Sound of Music at age 7. I’ve not stopped singing since and over the years, have performed in many of the major musicals as a child, learning the trade in Christchurch Little Theatre Club then progressing to the adult group then onto Greasepaint Productions. For the last 10 years I have been Musical Director for Christchurch Gilbert & Sullivan Society and learnt how to conduct singers from my Auntie, Kass Grimley. I’m looking forward to this new challenge and I can guarantee that the ladies in Serenade will have fun singing, whilst working hard.

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

I moved to Shepshed just over 9 years ago whilst leading a very busy life working full time as a Facilities Manager for a government agency in Nottingham. Two years ago, having been made redundant and at an age when I could retire, I found myself with a whole new life in Shepshed, no longer based around work. Having been born on the South Coast I have family and friends scattered in many parts of the UK but had never had the time to form many friendships within Shepshed. I have attended Serenade regularly since its inception. Singing as part of the choir is something that I receive great pleasure from and it has also provided me with a wonderful opportunity to build new friendships. I have always felt that it is important to have an interest in the running of any group that I attend, not only to share opinions but also to support others who are taking the time and trouble to run the group for the benefit of others. My job is to look after all new members to Serenade, making them feel welcome and providing them with the information they need to help them enjoy the experience of singing with the choir.

Sharon Brightman and Bonnie Atkin, Role: Refreshments

About Bonnie and Sharon

Sharon - Having sung in a few different choirs over the years, I was looking to join another one last year when I had a Monday night free to do so, and joined Serenade and have thoroughly enjoyed it ever since. My job (together with Bonnie) is to organise the refreshments. Outside of Serenade I'm Mum to two teenage boys and wife to Chris. We're all quite musical: between us we play or have played flute, saxophone, piano, bass guitar and drums. I also work part-time for a company that sells water treatment products.

Bonnie - My name is Bonnie, I have been a member of Serenade since it started. I really enjoy coming to choir - it's a lovely atmosphere and you get to meet lots of new friends. Along with Sharon, i'm currently responsible for refreshments. Hospitality is a really important part of Serenade's purpose. We enjoy a coffee break at each rehearsals and at our concerts we always provide teas, coffees and cakes, which we offer for a donation towards the fundraising for our chosen charity.

Clare Fountain, Role: Social Media

About Clare

I’m passionate about Serenade, I feel it’s important to give us ladies an outlet to sing in an noncompetitive and fun environment. I originally went into this just to sing, nothing more; however I started to see that the most important aspects are the social ones, of meeting new people, and also of getting involved in the community. My most important job is as a mum, to my two boys. I also work part-time. I love being involved with the Steering Group and hope we can make sure Serenade is still with us for a long time to come. My remit is social media, which includes the website, facebook page and twitter account. I don’t claim to be an expert, so please do give me pointers.

Vanessa Wright, Role: Accompanist

About Vanessa

I started playing the piano aged 7 and joined my local Church choir not long after. I have Grade 8 singing and Grade 7 Piano (I failed my grade 8 by 9 marks because I didn’t practice my scales!!). Music has always been a big part of my life and at the moment I sing with the Shepshed Singers and play once a month at St. Botolph’s Church in Shepshed. My day job also gives me the chance to lead sing-songs. Accompanying a choir is a new venture for me and one that I enjoy immensely. It’s a real privilege to be able to use my gifts to help others enjoy singing.

Pam Alford and Carol Weller, Role: Fundraising/Sponsorship

About Pam and Carol

Pam - I enjoy singing so was delighted when Serenade was created and have been a member from the beginning. I am a retired teacher, having taught at Shepshed High school for many years, and have lived in Shepshed for over 40 years. I now have the time to put something back into the community so am pleased to be able to serve on the Serenade committee.

Carol -

Hazel Needham and Norma Moore Role: Music

About Hazel and Norma

Hazel - I am a very recent recruit to Serenade and but was made to feel really welcome from the first rehearsal I attended. So when the job of looking after the music was available I offered to help out.

I have played the piano since age 6 and flute since age 14 and music has always been a part of my life in my work, as a piano teacher, and beyond. For the last 12 or so years I have been heavily involved in the local am dram scene as Musical Director and rehearsal pianist for several youth and adult societies, and I am currently the MD for Starlight Youth Theatre. Recently I felt that I wanted to do something a bit different and decided that I would like to take part in the singing rather than just telling people what they should be singing all the time! Singing is such a great way to unwind and I am thoroughly enjoying my Monday evenings with this lovely group.

Norma - I have been with Serenade from the very start, I came with my Daughter Alison. In my childhood I was surrounded by music, from my Mum who was always singing, the wireless and my Brother's records (a Mario Lanzer fan). My first solo was "how much is that doggy in the window", it was at a street party when I was eight years old. Serenade always lifts me up,I love our ladies.

Lynne Atkin, Role: Publicity

About Lynne

I joined Serenade in January 2017 after seeing the choir perform their Christmas Concert at St Botolph's church. All the ladies were having such a great time, I knew I wanted to join.

I previously performed on stage with Loughborough Theatre Club at Stanford Hall Theatre but left when my daughter was born (over 24 years ago) and am absolutely loving singing again.

I work full time as an Account Manager at Creative and Print Services, Loughborough University, and really look forward to Monday nights.

I have recently taken over the role of 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!

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!

Angie -

I joined serenade after watching a Christmas concert in 2015 and loved what I saw! I have been involved in musical theatre on Loughborough but after a long break decided to join the lovely ladies at serenade. I love the social and charitable aspects of serenade. I run the volunteer centre in Shepshed and teach activities to adults with special needs.

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