Rising Voices is the Oxford Folk Festival's own community choir, led by Cat Kelly.

We are a folk-based a cappella group; our repertoire consists mostly of traditional English music, with a large part of it coming from our own local area. We also sing some songs from further afield and a few of our own arrangements of more contemporary songs. In other words, if we lke it, we'll sing it! Our musical director, Cat Kelly, is a qualified music teacher and has many years experience in leading ensembles. She's also well known at many folk festivals for her high energy singing workshops!

The ethos of the choir is very much about community; we do take our singing seriously and work to a high standard, but it is important to us that everyone is included and that we are all having fun whilst doing it. All the songs are taught by ear so there is no need to be able to read music, and there are no auditions to join, and no age restrictions. Our songs are arranged in a way that builds up texture and harmony to create a stunning overall effect, whilst at the same time having parts suitable for singers of any ability.

Our debut performance was at Oxford Folk Festival in 2008 (pictured above) and we have performed there every year since, as well as at other local events such as Carols at Oxford Castle and Oxfolk Ceilidhs.

Our practice venue is the United Reform Church Hall, Risinghurst, near Headington. We practice every Sunday evening from 7.30-9pm in the main hall.

We will be performing at the Ashmolean museum in Oxford at 11.30am on 16th April, at the Natural History Museum at 6pm on 13th May, and at 'Folk and Flowers' on 19th June. Please email for further details.

If you'd like more information please contact info@risingvoices.co.uk