About Songways
There’s nothing quite like singing in harmony with others. It can be uplifting, heart-warming, moving, therapeutic, a great way to make friends and a lot of fun. Add to that the experience of singing in exceptional venues with inspiring tutors and you have Songways.
Songways runs thriving choirs in Bath and Bradford on Avon – nearly 100 people sing with Songways each week. An ever-widening network of UK singers come to our singing workshops. Our singing retreats attract singers from the across the UK and the US.
Singing in beautiful and unusual places for the sheer joy of it is a special characteristic of Songways. The two choirs combine to sing in wonderful venues such as St Swithin’s Church in Bath, Holy Trinity Church in Bradford on Avon and Bath Abbey.
Our singing workshops and retreats are open to all, not only members of Songways choirs.
Jane Harris leads singing workshops in stunning venues such as the Great Oak Hall at Westonbirt Arboretum, Iford Manor Peto Gardens and Wells Cathedral and Chapter House.
We also host singing workshops with inspiring guest tutors such as Windborne, Moira Smiley and Kathy Bullock from the US.
Jane performs with her eight voice vocal ensemble, Rolling Harmony, which blends a unique combination of artistic and vocal experience. We perform a diverse programme of music rooted in English and American harmony singing traditions. We also lead singing workshops with Rolling Harmony singers supporting every vocal part, which offer a rewarding experience for all involved.
Our singing retreats include the Cambridge Colleges, Lundy island, Halsway Manor and Italy. Jane co-leads the retreats with guest tutors, including Pip Wright from Cornwall, John Harrison from Vermont, US and Carlo Pozzoli from Milan.
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JANE HARRIS is an experienced choir leader and the Director of Songways, based in Bath. She has a clear, inclusive and enabling teaching style, uncovers the best in singers’ voices and draws people together with heartfelt, resonant singing. Jane has a rich, vibrant voice and performs with her own vocal ensemble, Rolling Harmony. Jane writes songs, often inspired by the natural world, has released an album, One touch of nature and published two songbooks, Everybody needs Beauty and Celtic Song Trio. She also plays the violin and is a member of the Natural Voice Network.
Having gained an MA in Engineering from Corpus Christi College, Cambridge and worked in the software industry, Jane moved in her mid-20s to work in the music world, first for the National Youth Orchestra and then Welsh National Opera. After ten years as a full-time mother, she moved into music teaching and led children’s music classes at the Wiltshire Music Centre. Jane trained as a choir leader with Candy Verney, founding Songways in 2009.
Email Jane or call 07894 205255.
A brilliant choir leader – always patient, positive and encouraging
Superb choice of songs & inspirational leadership.
Collaborations
We love to collaborate with inspiring singers and musicians:
- Pip Wright, choir leader | Cornwall
- John Harrison, composer and choir director | Vermont, US
- Windborne, internationally acclaimed folk band | New England, US
- Kathy Bullock, African American gospel singer and choir leader| Kentucky, US
- Moira Smiley, singer, composer and song-collector from Vermont, US
- Luke Wallace, singer songwriter and speaker from Vancouver
- Claire Stronach, song leader from Somerset and co-leader of Rolling Harmony singing workshops with Jane
- John Harrison and Jane at Corpus Christi College Cambridge
- Windborne from the US
- Moira Smiley from the US | Photo Fiona Small
- Jane and Pip Wright, West Cornwall
- Rolling Harmony in Bath Abbey
- John Harrison, Jane and Carlo Pozzoli in Italy
- Luke Wallace, Jane & Songways
- Kathy Bullock from the US
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