Ten in a Bar has established itself as one of Swindon’s premier singing groups. Under the direction of Jill Hodge, Ten in a Bar is famed for its eclectic mix of music and quirky arrangements, from popular modern classics to serious contemporary works.

The group is fortunate to have many leading soloists, but it is the closeness of their ensemble work which endows them with a distinctive sound which is unique to the local area.

Ten in a Bar started with 8 singers, a director and accompanist – hence the name Ten in a Bar! Nowadays the group is made up of 16 singers (8 men and 8 women) with an age range from 17 years upwards.

Formed in 1992 by Jill Hodge, who had already directed a number of successful choirs in and around the Swindon area, Ten in a Bar could never ‘just’ be described as a singing group. As well as its reputation for high quality singing, they are also renowned for their zany sense of humour, more often seen in the comedy music sketches – a genre created by Jill.

The group perform their annual show at the Arts Centre in Old Town, Swindon in February, and then select three or four concerts a year in which to feature their latest repertoire.

Ten in a Bar supports many charities, notably through the Rotary Club. The Arts Centre show is able to support single charity events, such as the ‘Forget Me Not’ appeal in aid of Leukaemia Research in 2008, and the 2009 show saw funds raised for the local charity DASH (in aid of adults with Asperger Syndrome).