Residents of Caterham and the surrounding areas are invited to join Caterham's new local community choir. Free taster session will be taking place from 7pm-9pm on Tuesday 23rd and Tuesday 30th April at de Stafford School in Burntwood Lane, Caterham CR3 5YX. The choir is open to anyone aged above 10 years and no previous singing experience is necessary.

The Caterham Community Choir will meet weekly at de Stafford School and is being run by community musician, Catherine Pestano. Catherine has worked with everyone from refugees, ex convicts, people with mental health issues and people with sensory disabilities. Catherine is very passionate about allowing people to express their voices.

Catherine said: "Your vocal print is twenty times more unique than your fingerprint, so if you do not express your voice the world is missing out on something really unique. I am looking to create an intergenerational choir that brings the community together. It's not about singing ability or age."

The choir will learn to sing unaccompanied harmony songs with music from a range of genres including gospel, blues, folk and jazz. There will also be opportunities for the choir to perform in front of family and friends and Catherine hopes to take those who are interested to perform outside City Hall in London for the annual Water Aid Event. However, the choir is not a competitive group.

Arts Partnership Surrey, Tandridge Community Partnership, Caterham Hill Parish Council and Tandridge Trust are all local bodies who have come together to fund the choir. After the free taster sessions there will be a weekly charge of £4 per session or £2 for young people aged between 10 -17 years, payable weekly.

As a musician Catherine is keen to support World Voice Day, which takes place on Tuesday 16th April. The day celebrates healthy voices and highlights the importance of voice at work and in society. In association with World Voice Day Catherine will be offering a Voice Clinic on Tuesday 16th April between 3pm and 5pm. Anyone with worries or concerns about their voice can call Catherine on 020 8683 4737, where she will be able to offer support and advice or alternatively direct you to services that can help.

For more information about joining the Choir contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.