The Ravenswood Singers is a mixed voice adult choir based in Newcastle Upon Tyne and performing in professional theatres, churches and community centres across the region. We perform a variety of quality music, drawing from the best of Musicals, Choral and Opera repertoire. You can hear us perform around the region throughout the year.
If you've always thought about singing, contact us about joining the choir!
About the choir
The choir was formed by Joan Trainor in October 1986 at the request of parents of pupils at Ravenswood School, Heaton. In its first year membership grew from 14 to 96 and with its wide repertoire it has continued to attract many experienced singers ever since. The choir regularly sings in churches throughout the north east. Apart from these public concerts it also performs at weddings and private celebrations and can be booked for corporate entertainment.
Susan Robertson and her husband Paul
Its reputation for excellence was established early with a live performance on BBC Radio Newcastle in May 1987. In November of that year, and barely 12 months after forming, the choir carried off First Prize in the Mixed Choir Class at Stockton Music Festival. Notable performances have also included taking part in the Royal Gala Evening at the Theatre Royal, Newcastle, in the presence of their Royal Highnesses, the Duke and Duchess of York: an exceptional achievement for a non-professional group. Over the years The Ravenswood Singers have raised many thousands of pounds for charity and continue this excellent fundraising work throughout the concert season. They have participated in local and regional events for arts councils, civic functions and tourist promotions. With its warmth and sheer joy in singing, the group attracts a tremendous following and has fulfilled hundreds of engagements throughout the region.
Under the direction of Joan Trainor, The Ravenswood Singers went from strength to strength. Joan’s musical expertise and specialist knowledge of venues and organisations in the area helped to ensure success. The choir learned a wide repertoire of both popular and traditional music, including songs from Broadway and West End shows. The Ravenswood Singers always strive for professionalism and quality of performance.
It was a terribly sad time for the choir, when on 19th November 2025, after a relatively short illness, Joan died peacefully, surrounded by her loving family. We were all bereft at the loss of our leader, mentor and friend.
However, the best outcome we could have wished for at Ravenswood Singers was that our lovely Susan Robertson agreed to lead us as our musical director! We are immensely grateful for Susan’s commitment and support of the choir, as she travels a huge distance to be with us and her life is already ridiculously busy! We also know that Joan will be so, so happy that her baton has been handed on to Susan and her legacy is in safe hands. We now have someone who knows (more than most) her stuff about music, vocal prowess, choirs - and in particular she knows The Ravenswood Singers inside out and backwards. She knows what Joan wanted and expected from her singers and that Joan will be more than happy for Susan to take us forward and upward and to put her own stamp on our choir. We won’t live in the past. We will take Joan’s choir into the future- which is exactly what she wanted to happen. Thank you Susan with enormous love and gratitude from us all.