The Year Ahead for The People’s Orchestra & Show Choir
2026 is a year brimming with excitement for The People’s Show Choir(TPSC) and The People’s Orchestra(TPO). With ground-breaking plans and new launches in the months ahead, here’s a glance at what the year holds for members of this musical community – and newcomers interested in getting involved too.
As a national charity, TPO and its sister groups are using music to improve lives and their ethos is as strong as ever in the coming year. From reducing loneliness to empowering people to gain confidence and new skills, there’s something for everyone at this friendly organisation.
Whether it’s taking time out to sing or to revisit an instrument that you love playing or have got a bit rusty on, this is what is in store.
New choirs and orchestras launching
TPO was created to make music more accessible to the wider public– whether it’s singing or playing an instrument. It’s growing year by year and there’s plans already underway to launch new choirs in 2026.
Among those preparing to open their doors are those in Wales and England, with a target of launching around four new groups a year.
A new TPSC Welsh choir is starting in Carmarthen, in the land where singing is part of the heritage. It follows on from successful singing groups in Cardiff and Newport.
Focus is also being paid to areas of the West Midlands, and there will be more news throughout the year. Dudley is already on a wish list of areas to expand into, so watch this space.
A ground-breaking training course
The rate of how soon new choirs get off the ground is being supported by a state-of-the-art training course developed by TPO and TPSC.
A new Choir Leader Training Course is a first for the music charity as it will enable it to shape conductors to its high standards and requirements. The inaugural workshops take place in 2025 – over two days in West Bromwich on March 14 and 15 – with applications already underway.
Finding suitable people to lead new choirs is essential to continue the pace of expansion and reach all the cities and towns that are in need of this community service.
Everyone from current choir members to music teachers could be ideal for these rewarding roles, which are far more than just conducting. They are about being an encouraging leader to a community of singers, so maybe it could be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for. Read more about what it involves and new training course here.
Group tours abroad with a difference
Making new friends and embarking on exciting adventures is a key part of being in TPO and TPSC. Members have the option to venture further afield on the annual tour.
In 2026, the trip returns to Poland at the end of May to a brand-new venue.
Following on from Krakow and The Scottish Highlands, this year’s tour goes to the historic city of Gdansk and places are already fully booked.
Described as one of the ‘treasures’ of Poland, members will get to explore the beautiful European city between their public performances to local people.
The popularity of TPO and TPSC tours has rocketed and this is the first year that organisers have had to limit numbers to a maximum of 140 places. That’s the most people that any of the Gdansk restaurants can fit and means that everyone on the tour gets to eat together, along with make music together.
Skilling up people to help them find work
While music is at the forefront of the charity, TPO also pays great attention to enriching the lives of those in need. Some may be struggling to pay bills, others are unable to find work or stuck in a rut.
Money raised from TPO’s music activities is pumped into providing much-needed services from a benefits helpline to schemes that help make jobseekers more employable. Its Kickstart programme even links up with Jobcentres and has helped more than 1,000 people to find work and build up their skills.
There’s also extensive work experience placements on offer at its West Bromwich office that are helping both young and mature people gain confidence and skills to land a job. If that’s something you want to look into for 2026, read about how TPO’s Back To Work programme helped Farah into a new career here.
Chance to win cash in a lottery that makes a difference
TPO Lottery is providing a win-win situation for those keen to know where their money is going. Along with the chance of winning cash prizes of up to £25,000, it’s good to know the entry fee goes into a community fund to support local causes and projects.
Each draw has 22 prizes to be clinched. They range from the £5,000 first prize to £2,000 second prize and 20 third prizes of £50. On top of that, the first prize winner automatically goes into a bonus draw for a chance to win an extra £20,000, bringing the total potential first prize to £25,000.
Every choir and orchestral group within the TPO family nationwide is able to put forward a cause that matters most to them. Their nominations will ultimately decide where the pot of money will be spent.
See more about the Community Fund TPO Lottery here.
More community concerts
Community performances go hand in hand with every choir and orchestra within TPO’s family and 2026 is no different.
Mass concerts inside grand venues along with smaller outdoor performances and prestigious events give members a chance to sing and play at extraordinary locations.
Comicon is an annual fixture in the calendar when it comes to Birmingham but expect to also see town fetes and country shows in the line-up. Piers, stately town halls and cathedrals have been previous years’ locations and the management team will be striving for impressive venues once again.
Every show choir will sing in public at least once at the end of their term, ahead of the Summer holidays, as a minimum.
Become a member of The People’s Orchestra or The People’s Show Choir
If you like the sound of The People’s Orchestra or The People’s Show Choir events and community and would like to give it a go, there are two free taster sessions on offer to help you decide.
Find out more and your local group at The People’s Show Choir pages here or The People’s Orchestra and its various ensembles here.
