Little Belters, the Altrincham-based singing group for 4-11-year-olds, will be heard in hundreds of schools across the country after recording songs for a new album.
For the past four years, Little Belters – formerly Altrincham Children’s Choir – have been wowing crowds in Altrincham and throughout Greater Manchester with their high energy performances.
Founded by sisters Claire and Tina O’Brien, they’ve become firm favourites at events including the Greater Manchester Marathon, the Altrincham Christmas Lights Switch-On and the French Festival in Stamford Park.
And now they’ve recorded an album of songs with schools music organisation POPUK.
Claire explains: “POPUK heard about us and wanted to work with us. Every year they go into hundreds of primary schools across the country to teach original, current-sounding pop songs.
“Children from Land’s End to John O’Groats receive a CD which they listen to and learn from – and we’re the group on that CD! It was a real honour to be asked and we can’t wait for kids across the country to sing along with Little Belters.”
Little Belters continues to grow – Altrincham now has two groups and there are flourishing groups in Sale, Chorlton, Didsbury and Cheadle Hulme.
Tina adds: “Our main priority is teaching proper singing technique, rather than learning lots and lots of complicated music the children aren’t familiar with. Spending time on traditional (often twee) children’s music means you don’t spend enough time working on the voice. Digital-age kids are immersed in music now more than ever before and we use that to our advantage.”
Claire and Tina have also established a popular choir for busy Mums, Absolute Belters, which rehearses in Altrincham and has members from across Trafford.
“Our Mums’ group is such a laugh, we love it!” says Claire. “We always say that an Absolute Belters rehearsal is the best fun you can have without opening a bottle of wine. You might walk in feeling like Mrs Overall but you leave an hour later feeling like Beyoncé!”
Teen Belters, a new Altrincham group for kids aged 11-plus, and Tiny Belters, for pre-school children, will launch later this year.
For more information about booking a free taster session for Little Belters, Teen Belters or Absolute Belters, contact Tina on 07740 464507 or Claire on 07779 668204, or email hello@littlebelters.co.uk.
