Welcome to CARITAS Children's Choir
CARITAS Children’s Choir is a charitable venture of the Wantage and Grove Christian Aid Group to raise money for Christian Aid projects.
Established in September 2016, the choir is for children from the age of 7 upwards, to learn age appropriate music, in a fun and educational environment. FUN is a priority - but a high standard of performance is always pursued! Following our enforced closure due to COVID 19, the choir recommenced on 3rd September, 2021.
DATES, VENUES & EVENTS
REHEARSAL DATES FOR Summer 2025
Fridays term time only: 3.45 - 4.45pm (younger group) 4.15 - 5.15pm (older group)
REHEARSALS
May 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd
June 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th
July 4th
SS
REHEARSAL VENUE
Wantage Methodist Church Hall, OX12 8DA
(Off Church Street, entrance is located between the Headmaster Salon and Toddlercare Nursery)
PRICE:
£10 per term
(Please bring to first rehearsal)
UPCOMING EVENTS :
St Michael's Church Abingdon (concert with Wantage Silver Band) - 5th July 2025
Music for Youth Birmingham - Not confirmed
- Possible dates are 10th-12th July 2025
Mayor's Carols at the Beacon - Wednesday 3rd December 2025 at 7pm
Wantage Library - Saturday 13th December 2025 at 2.30pm
View more
CONDUCTOR AND ACCOMPANIST
Musical Director:
Sheenagh Dernie
BA Hons., Dip.Mus(Open)., ARCM
Accompanist:
Gill Skidmore
MA (Oxon), Dip Ed.
VIDEOS
Music for Youth, Swindon 2025
ABOUT
At only £10 per term, per singer, CARITAS OFFERS AN EASILY AFFORDABLE MUSICAL EDUCATION, INCLUDING INSTRUCTION IN MUSIC READING!
WE ARE a Wantage based choir for children aged 7 years and upwards. We perform to the highest possible standards, while raising money for Christian Aid projects - providing food, water and medication for those whose lives are being torn apart by war, poverty and pestilence. We do not audition.
In 2016, Caritas performed in the opera 'Hansel and Gretel', as the so called 'Gingerbread Chorus' for Opera Unmasked. During it's first 2 years alone, Caritas raised £4,000+ for charity, gave multiple concert performances and gained 'Distinction' twice at Wantage Music Festival. We have accepted invitations to sing with Didcot Divas, Cor Meibion de Cymru, Letcombe Singers, Crescendo, and Wantage Male Voice Choir, and 2019 saw us performing with Music for Youth at Symphony Hall, Birmingham. Following the Covid induced lockdown, we were invited to perform (in 2022) at the Arvo Pärt Festival organised by Music@Oxford, where we sang (in Estonian) to the Estonian Ambassador and featured on Estonian television!
We currently have around 25 children aged between 7 and 18 years, and new singers are always welcome.
UNIFORM:
Red long sleeved polo shirt with CARITAS logo, available from Sheenagh. We respectfully request that singers return their logo shirts when leaving the choir. Black shoes & socks, black skirt, leggings or trousers complete the outfit.
CHILD SAFETY:
Both Gill, Sheenagh and our helper, Alison Phillips, are DBS cleared.
Sheenagh is certified in Safeguarding – Protecting Children, Young People and Adults at Risk V3.
We aim to have at least one extra adult present at each rehearsal, besides the director and the accompanist.
CONTACT US
To register or for more information contact Sheenagh Dernie on: sheenagh.dernie@btinternet.com
If you are wishing to register please supply the following details:
Full name of singer
School attended
Age and birthday
Home Address
Home telephone
Parent/carer's Email
Mobile
Any instrumental experience
Any specifics we may need to know (re medication, etc)
