Tarset choir celebrates 15 years since its founding

The Song Reivers, a community choir formed in Tarset Village Hall, was established by Kathryn Davidson, from Tarset, as part of the Sage's ‘Silver Singers’ outreach programme.

Kathryn Davidson started the choir as part of Sage's ‘Silver Singers’ outreach programme (Image: Supplied)

After the initial funding dried up, Ms Davidson, who was working for Sage at the time, decided to continue with the initiative independently, leading to the birth of Song Reivers.

From just one male voice back then, the choir now boasts nearly 40 members, showing a notable increase in both 'number and confidence' over the years.

The choir managed to stay active during the Covid-19 pandemic, thanks to Ms Davidson's virtual choir.

As restrictions eased, they met in the Hollybush beer garden.

They are 'possibly the most rural choir in England' with people coming to join from as far afield as Slaley, Hexham, Humshaugh, Byrness and Elsdon (Image: Supplied)

The choir also managed to survive Ms Davidson’s maternity leave, adapting to work with a different leader during her absence.

The Song Reivers consists of members from Slaley, Hexham, Humshaugh, Byrness, and Elsdon, among other places.

The choir performs a wide array of music, including folk, traditional, contemporary, gospel, and occasionally more classical pieces.

Reading music is not a prerequisite as Ms Davidson teaches by ear, although some members prefer to have sheet music.

Singing in the choir is more than just a hobby, according to the members, who describe it as a 'fun, supportive, and challenging group that fosters a strong sense of community.'

Reading music is not a prerequisite, as Kathryn always teaches by ear, although some people like ‘having the dots’ (Image: Supplied)

The choir meets on Monday mornings during term time from 10am to 11.30am in Tarset Village Hall and participates in various events throughout the year.

Their activities range from hosting coffee mornings and concerts to singing at different events and locations like the Sage, Hexham Farmers and Christmas Markets, Mary Ann Rogers’ open day, The Sill, and retirement homes.

They also partake in the Thorneyburn Candlelight Carol Service and hold their annual ‘Carols by Car’ event, where they travel around the valley singing to some of the more isolated residents.

In 2018, the choir featured on BBC’s Countryfile Christmas special.

The choir marked its 15th anniversary with two events in the Autumn term.

The first was an invitation to sing at The Sill on September 28 to commemorate the first anniversary of the felling of the Sycamore Gap tree.

The second event was a concert at Bellingham Town Hall, which occurred on October 26 in front of a full house.

The evening was divided into four parts, with the Song Reivers performing 17 songs, a mix of folk, traditional, and modern music, which were warmly received by the audience.

Other highlights of the evening were performances by Wychwood, a talented trio led by Kathryn Davison, and The Dodgy Bs, who performed a series of folk and sea shanties.

The energy and musical skills of all the singers 'impressed' the audience, which included the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Northumberland.

The choir members were 'very proud' of their achievements and happy that all the hard work and practice beforehand had been so well-received.