Her Story (project)

Her Story is a project for International Women’s Day. Sunday afternoon rehearsals culminated in a concert for International Women’s Day in March.

Anyone who identifies as a woman is welcome to join the choir. No prior musical experience is necessary, nor is the ability to read music. We welcome people from all backgrounds and abilities.

Her Story began in 2016 to tell the stories of women using folk music. After it became clear that most folk songs are about men or women’s position to men, the team started writing new songs. These songs in the folk style tell the stories of women and their experiences past and present. This creates a vibrant concert each year of traditional songs and world premieres.

Women join who have never sung before. Her Story is a great way of getting involved in singing for the first time, whilst enjoying a social safe space with other women. Songs are written by the Her Story team, and they encourage choir members to contribute ideas, lyrics and even full songs. We run ideas sessions with the choir and members are instrumental in developing the show each year by bringing their own experiences and stories.

Over the years Her Story songs have covered topics including nursing, equal pay, women in the war, refugees and motherhood. Themes have included Women in History and Women at Work. In 2019 the theme was women in textiles with the show ‘Thread the Needle, Prove the Point’. Women in the choir also sewed a banner inspired by the songs in the show. In 2020 ‘Sisters of Science’ told the stories of women in science, medicine and technology.

In 2021 the Her Story project was under Covid-19 restrictions, so we went online. 50 women came together each week on a video call to learn the songs of previous years to choose their favourites. A Her Story Songbook is available via our online shop.

You may also like to join one of our inclusive and friendly weekly folk choirs.