About the Scottish Poetry Choir
We are Scotland’s first-ever multi-voice spoken word choir, bringing group performance poetry to life in the modern day
The Scottish Poetry Choir is a new project from spoken-word poet and events producer Anita Govan
The project harks back to the roots of poetry and theatre and is based on the classic format of the Greek chorus embodying multi-voice spoken verse.
This innovative new format – the first of its kind in Scotland – gives members and the public opportunities to get involved and engage with poetry and spoken word in a fun and active way. Anita will guide choir members to develop multi-disciplinary spoken word performances incorporating movement, music, and soundscapes to enhance the narrative of selected poetry pieces.
We are seeking up to 50 new members to join the Scottish Poetry Choir in its initial stage. The choir will meet regularly during school term time and end with a performance at the end of each of its two initial terms.
The Scottish Poetry Choir will not only open space for the public to directly engage with poetry and spoken word but will also allow members to experience the benefits of community choir practices. This will allow people to participate in poetry in a non-competitive and informal way, providing an alternative to the highly competitive slam poetry format.
Join the Scottish Poetry Choir
Register your interest for our taster session on Tuesday, May 6, or join us for our first term starting May 6 and ending June 24.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Scottish Poetry Choir?
The Scottish Poetry Choir is a multi-voice spoken verse choir based on the classic format of the Greek chorus. This modern take harks back to the roots of poetry and theatre and brings them into the present day.
Under spoken word artist and producer Anita Govan’s directorship, the choir will develop multi-disciplinary performances combining spoken word, movement, music, and soundscapes to engage members and the audience with narratives from some of Scotland’s foremost poets and spoken word artists.
What are the benefits of joining the choir?
The Poetry Choir provides opportunities for members and the public to engage with poetry and spoken word in an innovative community setting.
We aim to create an inclusive and collaborative creative environment to support members to memorise poetry to help ageing brains, use poetry to develop language and speaking skills, improve well-being with in-person community, find innovative ways to perform and engage with poetry, and to build and develop new audiences for poetry and spoken word.
Who is the Scottish Poetry Choir for?
The Scottish Poetry Choir is for members of the public over the age of 16+.
We welcome applications from people from historically underrepresented backgrounds, including women, neurodivergent people, people of colour, migrants and refugees, LGBTQIA+ people, unwaged and low-income people, working class people, the elderly, disabled people, people living with chronic illnesses and conditions, and any other underserved or marginalised community.
How often does the choir meet?
The Scottish Poetry Choir will meet weekly for 8-10 weeks during school term time. We will also hold a performance at the end of each term.
Term 1 runs from May to June 2025.
Term 2 runs from September to November 2025.
Term 3 runs from February to April 2026.
How much is the choir membership?
The membership for the first term of the Scottish Poetry Choir is £40 (£5 per session). This covers our practice venue hire, masks, and hand sanitizer for every practice session.
We also have some funded places available per term for people who are unwaged, low-income, or receiving state benefits. For more details about these spaces, please email Anita at scottishpoeetrychoir@gmail.com
Have additional inquiries?
Get in touch with us at scottishpoetrychoir@gmail.com
Meet the Team
Led by spoken-word artist and producer Anita Govan, the Scottish Poetry Choir team is made up of Scotland-based creative professionals.
Anita Govan
she/her
Anita is our choir director and project lead. She has produced live performance events for over 30 years.
Naomi Head
she/they
Naomi is our marketing and communications officer. She promotes the choir online and in the media.
Amy Milner
she/they
Amy is our assistant producer working with the Scottish Poetry Choir during term time.