If you find yourself searching for a new and rewarding hobby as the dark nights are really closing in, then now is the perfect time to give yourself a lift by joining Sheffield Music Makers.

We are one of the city’s oldest-established choirs (founded in 1968) and after our summer break rehearsals are now in full swing for our Christmas concerts. We meet once a week at St Mary’s Church on Bramall Lane on Thursday nights between 7pm and 9pm.

Whether you used to be in a choir and want to re-engage, or you have never sung in a choir before but always wanted to, now is a great time to join as much of the Christmas material, both traditional and local, has familiar words and tunes, around which we are learning exciting harmonies. We’re a friendly bunch!

We have just enjoyed a fantastic Come and Sing day on Saturday 4 November at Bents Green Methodist Church. This was a great opportunity to sing and socialise, as members and non-members of Sheffield Music Makers learned the Vivaldi Gloria during the morning and afternoon before having an informal performance at the end of the day. We were so lucky to be joined by fantastic soloists Madeleine Lake and Molly O’Toole. Over 70 singers were “tired but happy” by the end of the day.

Sheffield Music Makers love Christmas music and we have two big dates to celebrate the season, singing traditional carols in Sheffield Winter Garden on Saturday December 2 and our Christmas Concert in Oughtibridge Chapel on Saturday December 9.

New members are always welcome, you don’t need to audition, all sheet music is provided, sight reading is not essential and the first term is free. What are you waiting for?