We sing together
Songs the children actually want to sing, learned by ear and by heart. Big harmonies, bigger energy.
Where every child gets to shine.
Shine is a children's community choir in Newton Aycliffe. We sing, we laugh, we make friends — and week by week we watch quiet children turn into confident ones.
- Mondays, 5–6pm
- Term time only
- A few places left
"You are growing in confidence each and every week."
A children's community choir where everyone belongs
Shine Children's Community Choir is based at St Clare's Church in Newton Aycliffe. It's run by a small team of local volunteers who believe every child has a voice worth hearing.
Children arrive, find a friend, and sing — pop songs, musicals, Christmas favourites. Along the way they learn to stand up in front of a crowd, to listen to each other, and to be proud of something they made together.
Shine is self-sustaining. We're a community choir, not part of a bigger organisation, so the running costs are covered by donations and by local sponsors — Community Spirit Newton Aycliffe currently sponsors the choir. You'll find us singing all over town, from the shopping centre to the community hub.
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Mon5–6pm, every week in term time
1big Christmas show a year
What happens when you come along
Warm room, loud songs, kind people. Here's the shape of it.
Star Singer of the week
Every week one child is our Star Singer — a certificate, a gift bag, and a very well-earned round of applause.
We make friends
Children come on their own and leave with a group. Brothers, sisters and new starters all fit straight in.
We perform for the town
Town centre events, the community hub, church services and our own Christmas show — real audiences, real cheers.
Every Monday, during term time
Rehearsals run for an hour at St Clare's Church. We follow the school terms, so there's no choir during the school holidays.
Half-term holiday No choir from Monday 26 October, for one week.
Everyone is welcome — but places are limited. We can only take so many children in the hall, so please message or call us before your child's first Monday. We'll let you know straight away whether we have room, and add you to the list if we don't.
Monday
5.00 – 6.00pm
St Clare's Church, St Cuthbert's Way, Newton Aycliffe
- Term time only — we don't meet in the school holidays.
- One hour, start to finish. Please collect promptly at 6pm.
- Get in touch first — numbers are capped.
- Parking is across the road on Bewick Crescent, not at the church.
The choir, in full voice
Moments from around Newton Aycliffe. Select a photo to see it larger.
Welcome back, Shine Choir!
A message from the Shine team
It's so good to be back at church and singing together again. It has been lovely to welcome new members — and we still have a few places to fill before our Christmas activities begin.
Please keep Saturday 12 December (6pm) and Sunday 13 December (4pm) free — these are the two dates we'll perform our Christmas Play. Please make sure your Shine star is available for both shows. Tickets will be on sale in November.
We're on holiday from Monday 26 October for one week.
Thank you for your continued support.
Shine Team xx
Coming up
Latest from our Facebook pages
The newest post from each group, straight from Facebook.
Our Christmas Play
Every December the choir puts on its own Christmas show — costumes, a hand-painted set and a hall full of proud families. This year there are two performances at St Clare's Church.
Sat 12 December6.00pm
Sun 13 December4.00pm
- All cast at church by 3pm on both dates. Please make sure your Shine star is free for both shows.
- Tickets go on sale in November — we'll post on Facebook when they're ready.
- Shine Care Home Carol Sing — our annual carol sing is planned for December, date to be confirmed.
Last year's show, "A Midwife Crisis"
Run by Team Shine
Messy Church at St Clare's
Fun, faith and family together. Messy Church is an afternoon for children, young people and grown-ups too — real stories, crafts, songs and food. It's run by the Shine team, and it's free, with a suggested donation of £2 each.
Next: Saturday 17 October, 4pm — God's Wild and Wonderful World Getting crafty with nature, Shine your light pumpkins, creation mobiles, decorating cakes and much more, ending with a celebration tea back in the big hall. No need to book — please don't worry if you've never been before, you'll have a great time.
- Doors openCome in, say hello, find a table.
- Crafts and makingPainting, modelling, card making — properly messy.
- Story, song and a wonderA short story together, then a song.
- Picnic teaEveryone builds a plate and we eat together.
When: the third Saturday of the month at St Clare's Church, starting at 4pm (registration from 3.30pm). Older children can work towards the Messy Young Leader Award by volunteering their time and talents.
Leaders trained in children's ministry, safeguarding trained and fully DBS checked.
Parish Youth Club
A youth club at St Clare's for boys and girls aged 9 years upwards — baking, trips, games, and plenty of time together.
- Fun
- Faith
- Fellowship
Leaders trained in children's ministry, safeguarding trained and fully DBS checked.
1st Saturday
of every month · 3–5pm
St Clare's Church, St Cuthbert's Way, Newton Aycliffe
- Boys and girls aged 9 and over.
- Next dates: Saturday 7 November and Saturday 5 December.
- Latest news and trips on the Youth/Children St Clare's Facebook page.
Run by Team Shine
A team you can trust with your children
- Trained in children's ministry
- Safeguarding trained
- Fully DBS checked
Find us
St Clare's ChurchSt Clare's Church, Newton Aycliffe
We rehearse in the church, a short walk from the town centre.
St Cuthbert's Way
Newton Aycliffe
County Durham, DL5 5NT
Parking
There's no parking at the church itself. Please use the car park across the road on Bewick Crescent — it's a minute's walk from the door.
Support the choir
We keep Shine going ourselves
Shine is a self-sustaining community choir. Music, costumes, refreshments, the Christmas set and every Star Singer gift bag are paid for by donations and local sponsorship.
Make a donation
Any amount helps, and all of it goes straight back into the choir.
What your donation pays for:
- Sheet music and backing tracks for new songs.
- Star Singer certificates and gift bags, every week.
- Costumes, scenery and props for the Christmas show.
- Hall costs and refreshments through the year.
Become a sponsor
Local businesses keep this choir on its feet. Community Spirit Newton Aycliffe sponsors us today — and there's room for more. Sponsors go on our banner, our shirts and this website.
Other ways to help
Raffle prizes, a lift for a performance, help painting scenery, or simply coming along to a show and cheering loudly — it all counts.
Come and sing with us
Rehearsals are every Monday, 5–6pm in term time. Places are limited, so please get in touch before your child's first visit and we'll tell you straight away whether we have room.
07716 801262Call or text Helen
Email ushelen-mccormick@hotmail.com
FacebookShine Children's Community Choir
Follow all our groups on Facebook
Run by Team Shine. Our leaders are trained in children's ministry, safeguarding trained and fully DBS checked.