Altrincham Trebles

Come and be part of our children's choir!

Introducing our Children’s Choir: Altrincham Trebles!

We are delighted to have a Children’s Choir ‘Altrincham Trebles’ held in our neighbouring school (open to all local children) on a Monday afternoon, offering free musical tuition that will last your child a lifetime!

Music is an integral part of our life at St George’s. We have seen many examples of how a good musical education has changed the lives for young people for the better. Rev. Claire remembers her time at Bradford Cathedral, when she and her husband saw many of the young choristers form wonderful communities and then go to prestigious Universities on Choral Scholarships – a journey that started in Primary School. We are very keen that pupils from our Parish have the same opportunities.

Our choir is fun, it develops teamwork at a young age, and gives each child the experience of that buzz as their voices harmonise with each other. It focuses on teaching our pupils how to sing properly, how to read music, and for those that want it, they are fully prepared to sit the relevant ABRSM exams; setting them up for any musical adventure that they want to peruse in secondary school.

What is it?

It’s a choir for any child in KS2.

Do they have to be able to sing & read music?

Not at all – we will teach them!

How is it different to other choirs?

Our choir is focused on choral music; the type that you might hear in a Cathedral.

It teaches children to read and understand music and will, in time, enter children for the relevant exams so that they have qualifications for life. Such a grounding will mean that in the future they can attend all different types of choirs and be confident in their ability to sing really well.

We follow the RSCM (Royal Society of Church Music) specifications, and our children work towards recognised ‘medals’ which some of them are now close to achieving!

Who is it led by?

Tessa Tang is a Singaporean soprano and graduate of the Royal Northern College of Music, where she trained as a classical singer and was also chosen as an RNCM Digital Ambassador.

An experienced performer, Tessa has appeared on BBC Radio 3 and performed in opera, concerts and recitals in the UK and internationally, with repertoire ranging from Mozart to contemporary opera.

Alongside performing, Tessa has a real passion for music education and helping young singers develop their voices, musicianship and confidence. As Director of Alty Trebles, she brings professional musical expertise together with warmth, energy and a belief that high-quality music education should be both accessible and great fun.

More importantly for us, she is kind, patience and has a wonderfully gentle way of steering our young children to grow in confidence and skill, and we can’t wait to see where her leadership takes our choir this year.

All our staff and volunteers are DBSed and safeguarding trained.

How much does it cost?

It is absolutely free!

Do they have to sing on a Sunday morning?

Not at all, but it is encouraged and there are a few ‘Festival Services’ that they get to sing in during the year. Obviously, the more that they sing, the more practice that they get and the better they will do. Singing with adults will also help them learn quicker too and it’s a really caring community with people looking out for each other. They also get to call themselves the grand title of ‘chorister’! However, we also understand if you have other commitments.

Where do they need to go

Head to the Parish Centre; just behind St George’s Church,

If your children are part of Altrincham CE Primary School then we will collect them at the end of the day, and walk them over. You will just need to collect them from the Parish Centre at 4.30pm.

I’m from another school in Altrincham – can I come?

Absolutely – the choir is here for all children, so if you get get here on a Wednesday after school, then we’d love to see you! We appreciate that some may arrive a little later from schools that are further away; that’s absolutely fine.

How do you reward progress?

When they are ready, they will have the opportunity to be entered for formal exams.

Before then, we follow the RSCM Voice for Life programme which sets up the building blocks of musical knowledge and ability. As they work through each book, they are then given a coloured badge relevant to their level, which, if their school allows it, they can wear on their uniform. If they sing in church, then they also receive the equivalent ribbon and medal too, and have the chance of being nominated for a ‘Head Chorister’ medal too.