Directed by Dr Rebecca Berkley, Universal Voices is a free, inclusive children’s choir in Reading for children aged 7–11. The choir welcomes children from across the Reading area, offering high-quality choral education, singing opportunities and musicianship training through fun, inclusive, play-based learning.

Thanks to the generous donations of alumni and local supporters, Universal Voices is free for local families, helping children access the joy and benefits of singing together.

Universal Voices also supports the next generation of music educators. As a teacher training choir, we provide choral pedagogy training for University of Reading students, and we work with local partner schools to develop choral teaching skills and inspire a love of singing in young people.

Universal voices children's choir performing in a parade
Dr Rebecca Berkley photo headshot

"I started Universal Voices so that University of Reading student teachers could learn to run a choir by running a choir, at the same time as providing excellent choral education for the children of Reading. I love this project and am endlessly grateful to all the volunteer students and colleagues at the University who make this project possible."

Dr Rebecca Berkley, Universal Voices Director

Musical impact and success

Since its foundation in 2017, Universal Voices has made a powerful impact both on and off campus. The choir performs at University events, with local music organisations and charities, and at music festivals.

2026 has been an amazing year for the choir. In May, Universal Voices led the University Centenary RAG Parade through Reading town centre, performing in costume as a Dragon Samba. In July, the children performed songs about climate education at the Department for Education's Stakeholder Reception.

Through its performances, community partnerships and educational activities, Universal Voices continues to celebrate children’s singing, promote inclusive music education and bring people together through the power of choral music.

  • Universal Voices performing in the ‘Raising and Giving Parade’, in May 2026 through Reading Town Centre in collaboration with Initial Teacher Training Society (ITTSOC).
    Universal Voices performing in the Raising and Giving Parade in collaboration with the Initial Teacher Training Society (ITTSOC).
Universal voices has given me wonderful opportunities to put what I’ve been taught in lectures into practice with real life children. I love how we use such inclusive music teaching and that’s something I will definitely take into my own classroom.
Amy Webster, BA in Primary Education (QTS) with Music Specialism
Universal Voices gives us a chance to explore music in a way that benefits all children and their learning. I have learned how to teach music inclusively, work and support others in a team especially in the role of student administrator.
Luisa Sutherland, BA in Primary Education (QTS) with Music Specialism
Universal Voices has provided a space for everyone to feel seen, heard, safe and loved. It has provided me with invaluable opportunities to lead, conduct and teach music inclusively which has helped me grow as a teacher and a music educator.
Danielle Rosario, BA in Primary Education (QTS) with Music Specialism

Soundscape: Inclusive Musicianship Pedagogy

Watch this video to understand how we teach inclusive musicianship pedagogy to support every child’s learning and development.
play video

Developing the next generation of music teachers

Universal Voices is an integral part of music education provision for undergraduate and postgraduate students at the Institute of Education. Students learn how to run a choir by gaining practical experience in event management, administration, musicianship teaching and conducting.

Trainee teachers from the Institute of Education volunteer with the choir, developing their professional knowledge and skills for primary music teaching. They take this experience both into their teaching methodologies and our partnership schools.

The choir also supports research and scholarship in music education, with over 20 examples of scholarship output, including presentations at academic and professional music and education conferences in the UK and internationally. Rebecca and the student team have also contributed to music education podcasts, and published papers and articles in both academic and professional journals.

Supporting local schools

The Universal Voices team regularly visits local schools to deliver singing workshops, recruit children to the choir and support teachers through training in choral education.

Through this outreach programme, Universal Voices has worked with nearly 2,000 children and 60 teachers across local schools.

Support Universal Voices

Your donations make a real difference, helping local children aged 7–11 take part in weekly choir sessions that combine the joy of singing with a strong foundation in musical learning.

Donations also support University of Reading undergraduate and postgraduate trainee teachers to gain practical experience in event management, administration, musicianship teaching and conducting.

The University of Reading is an independent corporation with charitable status (reference X 8145). If you are a UK taxpayer, you can boost your donation through Gift Aid at no extra cost to you.

Donate to Universal Voices

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Follow Universal Voices

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Join Universal Voices

Interested in joining Universal Voices? To find out more about joining Universal Voices and to sign your child up to join the choir, please complete our application form.