Going from strength to strength!
Since joining The Guildhall Trust earlier this year and the easing of Covid restrictions, UVG – The Urban Vocal Group has been busy delivering summer activities for young people, expanded its mentoring programme, undertaken a brand refresh and re-established its vocal groups for children and adults in the community, culminating in an inspiring performance on the Seaside Stage of this summer’s Victorious Festival.
Working with HAF Pompey and Connect4Families, UVG’s summer singing workshops engaged with almost 500 children from across Hampshire while its Mentorship Through Music programme, expanded due to its success during lockdown, provided 14 young people the opportunity to work closely with professional musicians to develop their musical and personal skills.
UVG’s Youth Vocal Groups for ages 10-18 years at Bedhampton Community Centre (Mondays 6-7.30pm) and Portsmouth Guildhall (Wednesdays 6-7.30pm) were restarted, with many of the young people delighted to be able to reconnect with each other in person.
UVG’s Adult Vocal Group for 18+ at Havant Methodist Church (Thursdays 7.30-9pm) also restarted, while the Portsmouth Vocal Group for Adults 18+ will be relocating to the north of the city at St Michael’s Church in Paulsgrove and will be restarting in October. Due to the popularity and success of the Adult Vocal Groups, another is set to be launched in Gosport in the new year.
The Youth and Adult Vocal Groups offer people of all abilities the chance to sing for fun, relieve stress and make friends. With contemporary music arrangements from the last 20 years, participants are offered opportunities to perform at events and festivals including Victorious Festival and at Portsmouth Guildhall.
It is FREE to access the Youth Vocal Groups which are subsidised by a small fee charged to those participating in the Adult Vocal Groups.
Co-Founder and UVG Projects Manager for The Guildhall Trust, Charlie Fletcher said “It has been brilliant to get back to doing what we do and seeing young people and adults enjoy being back together, singing and having fun. This was our 7th performance at Victorious Festival and I am so proud of how amazing everyone was, particularly given that we had less rehearsal time than ever! It is great that so many have remained engaged with UVG throughout the pandemic and exciting that we can now look to welcome new members and expand our activities into new areas”.
Since forming in 2008, UVG-The Urban Vocal Group has provided over 18,000 opportunities, all of which for young people have been provided free of charge, to engage in singing and music-making, develop transferable skills and to nurture positive health and wellbeing.
To find out more about UVG and projects in your area head to www.theuvg.co.uk or our Get Involved pages.
UVG Victorious
UVG Summer Workshop