A Parents Choir Where Parents are the Focus: Crib Notes Choir Profile

Attending a class or workshop regularly is about much more than what you learn or work on during the individual sessions. The social aspect and a sense of building community can be just as, if not more important. Louise and Eleanor were acutely aware of this when they began running sessions as Crib Notes Co-Directors around South London, bringing their choir club to the Mansion in 2023.

Being a new parent shifts the focus very much onto the child and the needs of the parents can sometimes be left behind. This is reflected in the types of classes aimed at this demographic, “There are a lot of excellent classes for babies and young children, many fewer where the focus is on the parents,” and Crib Notes wanted to change that.

Louise and Eleanor both come from classical singing backgrounds, and have both gradually moved into community choir leading. “We love helping people find their voices, build their confidence and grow their community.” This is reflected in the way Crib Notes sessions work. They are not one-off classes, but an ongoing series of rehearsals, building towards performances, “bringing a sense of working towards something and feeling of achievement”, as well as enhancing connections between choir members.

The Crib Notes choir sing a mixture of world, folk and pop music in harmony – and crucially, and in keeping with their parent-first ethos – no nursery rhymes. Sessions are non-auditioned, open to all and well-being focused, “connection is an important aim of our choir and we facilitate social time around each rehearsal as well as additional social and performance opportunities each season.”

Singing in a choir brings with it an array of health and wellbeing benefits ranging from “improved mental health to increased oxygen uptake and the production of endorphins, as well as looking after your brain!” Not only do these benefits help the parents taking part but also their children too.

The Mansion and Crib Notes have ended up being a perfect fit with “a calm atmosphere and lovely acoustics” as well as adding to the workshop’s community element. “Beckenham Place is a gorgeous park with several cafe options, making socialising before and after rehearsals easy.”

The plan now for Crib Notes is steady growth offering more clubs around London with their Wimbledon club opening back in January. “This is just the beginning! More clubs expands the options and opportunities we can give to our members – more locations, more workshops, more performances and more social opportunities!”

Crib Notes host clubs across Balham, Beckenham, Crystal Palace and Wimbledon. ​Find out more on their website or follow them on Instagram for all the latest news and updates.