Our Choir Story
The Service Children's Community Choir is more than just a choir. We are a community where children from Armed Forces families can connect, belong and thrive through music. We understand the unique experiences of Service life, from frequent moves and school changes to periods of separation from loved ones. Through weekly rehearsals, performances and special projects, we provide a supportive environment where young people can build friendships, grow in confidence, develop musical skills and create lasting memories. What began as a small choir in Catterick Garrison has grown into an award-winning organisation that gives Service children a voice, celebrates their achievements and showcases the strength, resilience and talent of military-connected young people across the UK.
Bringing Military Children Together Through Music
Our journey began in 2019 when our founder, Angela Campbell, set out to create a choir specifically for children from military families. Originally known as the Northern Military Kids Choir, the group was established to support children living in and around Catterick Garrison, providing a safe and welcoming space where they could come together, make friends and enjoy the benefits of singing.
The choir met weekly, rehearsing for what would have been their debut performance at Ripon Cathedral. However, before that could happen, the Covid-19 pandemic brought music-making to a standstill. Singing in schools and community settings was paused, and like many organisations, we were forced to put our plans on hold.
When restrictions were lifted in 2021, the choir relaunched with a new name and a renewed sense of purpose: The Service Children's Community Choir (SCCC).
A Service Child is any child whose parent currently serves or has served in the Armed Forces, including the Reserve Forces, at any point during the first 25 years of the child's life. While the Department for Education uses the term Service Child, you may also hear them referred to as military children.
Growing Beyond Our Expectations
What started as a small local choir has grown into something truly special.
One of our most exciting early opportunities came when choir members auditioned for Britain's Got Talent as part of a collaboration with an arts-based charity. The project progressed all the way to the live semi-finals, creating unforgettable memories for the young people involved. As part of the journey, rehearsals were hosted in Catterick and we successfully enabled 33 young people to travel to London to take part.
Over the years, our choir has had the privilege of performing at a number of prestigious venues and events. These have included singing at the Houses of Parliament, performing for then Prime Minister Rishi Sunak during his visit to Le Cateau Community Primary School, and appearing at Proms in the Park in Darlington alongside the Royal Signals Northern Band.
We have also proudly collaborated with the Military WAGS Choir in Catterick, bringing together different generations of the military community through a shared love of music.
Honouring and Celebrating Service Children
Each year, our choir performs at Ripon Cathedral as part of the Festival of Remembrance for North Yorkshire's Service Children. The event provides a powerful opportunity to recognise the unique experiences, strengths and challenges faced by young people from military families.
In 2024, the choir reached another incredible milestone when members were invited to perform alongside Jack Savoretti at the Royal Albert Hall during the BBC Festival of Remembrance. Performing on such a nationally recognised stage helped raise awareness of the barriers and challenges often experienced by Service children and their families while celebrating their resilience and contribution to our Armed Forces community.
The success of this performance inspired further growth and led to the formation of our sister choir, SCCC Hampshire, which was established in 2025 to bring similar opportunities to Service children in the South of England.
Creating Lasting Memories
In 2025, we were invited to visit The Alnwick Garden and perform with the Alnwick Allstars Vocal Group. The experience was such a success that we were invited back again in 2026.
These visits have quickly become one of the highlights of our choir calendar. They provide an opportunity for children to play, have fun, leave their worries behind and simply be children. At the same time, they gain valuable performance experience, helping them develop confidence and self-belief in a supportive environment.
Finding Our Voice
Our commitment to helping children express themselves through music continued in 2025 when choir members worked with Kelly Fort from Praise Along Music to create an original song inspired by their own experiences.
The result was "Seeds of Sunshine", an uplifting and positive anthem that reflects the resilience, hope and optimism of Service children. The song was released on Amazon Music and Spotify, giving the young people the opportunity to share their voices with a wider audience.
The same year, our Christmas Cracker concert proved to be another huge success. Through a partnership with Blueboxt Creative and Performing Arts, our members were able to perform with a live band, creating an exciting and memorable experience for both performers and audiences alike.
Looking Ahead
Today, the Service Children's Community Choir continues to bring children together through the power of music. Every rehearsal, performance and partnership helps us fulfil our mission of supporting Service children, building friendships, developing confidence and creating opportunities that many never imagined possible.
We are incredibly proud of everything our young people have achieved so far, and we can't wait to see where their musical journey takes them next. ❤️🎵