Factory House Choir

Factory House Choir is back at The Social, Aviva Studios on Saturday 17 October, from 12pm to 2pm. It's a two-hour singing workshop led by singer and music director Lizzie Simms, and it's designed to be something quite different from your usual choir experience.

Rather than hymns or choral standards, the session is built around funk, soul and UK garage vocal arrangements. You'll pick up group singing techniques and harmonies entirely by ear, so there's no need to read music. The whole point is to get stuck in and belt things out together rather than worrying about the technical side of it. It's unauditioned and open to everyone, and there's no pressure to perform in front of an audience when it's over — the focus is just on the singing itself.

Simms describes the workshops as being about bringing people together for an afternoon of feel-good group singing, and the setup reflects that: it's free to join, all ages are welcome, and you don't need any prior experience to take part. If you're bringing someone under 14, they'll just need to be accompanied by an adult.

The session runs from 12pm to 2pm at The Social in Aviva Studios, St John's, Manchester M3 4LG. Tickets are free, though booking is recommended.