+ Where are the Singing Mamas sessions?

I currently offer Singing Mamas at Wayfield & Rainham Children and Family Hub in Medway , at St Stephen's Church Hall in Canterbury, and at St Faith's Community Centre in Maidstone. An evening group in Medway is being planned.

However, there are other Singing Mamas leaders running groups all over the country. Please search on https://www.singingmamas.org/find-a-group to find your nearest group.

+ What can I expect from a singing mamas experience?

Once you have booked your place in a singing mamas group, Rachel will have all your details from your booking form and will be ready to welcome you personally to the group. On arrival you will find a circle of chairs and rugs on the floor in the middle with some soft toys for any young ones. There is the usual chatting hellos before your leader will invite a moment of hush and lead the group into a short song to focus the attention.

After this comes a simple song to warm up the voice, and possibly some other vocal and body warm up exercises which work to relax muscles, notice any tension and aches and pains in the body and start to shift mood. We do this before singing to help loosen up, unwind and to enter a more playful energy. GREAT ALSO if you are especially shy.

We'll then learn a number of songs by ear, repeating small sections until the group has 'caught' it. We may take several weeks to learn a song, focussing on just one or two parts in a session, or we may layer up a song quickly and easily, depending on the confidence of the group at the time. The leader will guide you and steer the group through the session.

If the thought of this is scary to you, don’t worry at all! We've all been there! So many women have bravely stepped through the door for the first time to find that there was nothing to be afraid of and they have left feeling fantastic, even triumphant for daring to play.

+ What if the little ones disturb the singing with noise?

The little ones usually still themselves in response to the singing, however any noises from them are absolutely fine! They are part of the session and usually a good indication to the leader that we need to move on from learning, or do something calm or energetic!

+ How many songs will I learn?

In each Singing Mamas session you can expect to learn between 3-5 new songs as well as revisiting songs from previous weeks and singing some old favourites just for the fun of it. All songs are taught by ear which means without written word or song sheets.

+ What are harmony songs?

These are songs which have layers to them. For example, women with lower voices will sing one tune, the middle range voices will sing another (sometimes also with different words and rhythms) and the higher voices will sing another…but all at the same time and all skilfully woven together by your leader to make a beautiful sound.

+ But I’ve never sung in harmony before and I’m not a strong singer! ...

Well then you are in for a treat! The parts are sung in groups so you don’t need to worry about not being an experienced singer (yet. I say that because soon you WILL be able to call yourself an experienced singer!). In your parts you will be supported by the other singers until your part has sunk in and you can sing it out in confidence.

+ I don’t know if I’m high, low or middle range?

Your own unique voice is something that you will discover very quickly, including where in the range of voices you find most comfortable and enjoyable to sing.You can swap around as much as you like - to discover other parts of the song, as well as to experience different parts of your voice to decide where you are most comfortable.

+ My child will never allow me to do this for myself if it’s not focussed on him! ...

Mothers are usually so much ‘in service’ to their children. and most activities address the needs of either the parent OR the child. Singing Mamas is unique in its way that it benefits both the children and the women in different ways. Although not all women who come are mothers, and not all mothers choose to bring their child with them, those that do bring them are amazed how the children delight in their experience of the women around them relaxed, uplifted, energised and feeling great.

Of course the harmony sound that is created has an amazing impact on the children and many benefits for health and wellbeing of the mother and young ones. It might be a new experience for your child to watch you being a human in your own right-being entirely present to your needs and meeting them. The message that this sends to children is invaluable.

I’ve watched as children look up in awe and wonder at their mother, beautifully relaxed, light in mood and singing their hearts out. They give their full permission for you to do something for yourself and they seem to know that it’s good for them too! For your child it is an unforgettable experience.

+ How will I get to know new friends if we are singing the whole time?

You'll find that singing with others gives a sense of connection like nothing else! But we also have time for chatting over tea and cake! This is the perfect time for socialising and building friendships. After the connecting activity of singing there is naturally lots in common to talk about. The young ones, having been settled by the singing will become more playful and active.

+ Can I try a session before committing?

Yes, I offer a paid taster session. Just click the button at the top of this page!

+ Why is it a monthly payment, instead of by the block, or pay as you go?

Singing Mamas is a community. We want to build that community to be a support for the women attending and therefore we would like some commitment from the women who come. It also helps the leader to plan her songs and to provide enough cake! A monthly subscription means that you can budget across the year for the sessions, rather than having to pay for 7-8 sessions in one go. It also means that the leader can set this up to be automatic which saves her administration time and allows her more time to spend on growing the group and finding new songs.

+ Why is the Maidstone group a slightly higher monthly fee?

The hire charges vary between venues and the leader therefore needs to adjust fees to compensate for this.