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Milk & Melodies Mum’s Choir by Em Bollon Strikes a Chord with Surrey Mums
A new daytime choir designed especially for Mums and their babies is creating a buzz in Surrey, offering something many new Mothers didn’t realise they were missing: a space to sing, connect and breathe.
Created by Musician and Mum Em Bollon, Milk & Melodies Mum’s Choir has just completed its soft-launch term in Godalming - and the response has been overwhelmingly positive.
Launched during Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week, the choir was born from Em’s passion for supporting maternal wellbeing through music, creativity and community.
Held at Busbridge Village Hall, the relaxed daytime sessions welcomed Mums with babies for uplifting group singing featuring feel-good pop songs, simple harmonies and zero pressure to “perform”.
Instead, the focus was on joy, connection and giving Mums something that belonged to them too.
“After becoming a Mum myself, I realised there were so many wonderful classes for babies - but very few centred around mums while still being baby-friendly,” says Bollon. “Milk & Melodies was created to give mums a space for creativity, confidence and connection, even with a baby in tow.”
With nearly 20 years’ experience leading choirs, Em also directs MbM Contemporary Gospel Choir, Parkinsong Voices and ToC Voices - all groups rooted in the wellbeing benefits of singing together.
The pilot term quickly became a weekly highlight for many attendees, with Mums returning not only for the music, but for the atmosphere of warmth, encouragement and understanding that grew within the group.
Participant Beth says: “Em is so enthusiastic and encouraging - her joy for music is contagious!”
She adds: “I had no choir or singing experience before, so I’ve loved learning harmonies and discovering how songs fit together. Sometimes I even thought I sounded pretty good too!”
Backed by growing research into the mental health benefits of group singing, the sessions aim to reduce stress, boost mood and combat the isolation many women experience during early motherhood. Singing together has been linked to increased oxytocin, dopamine and endorphins, alongside lower cortisol levels.
Importantly, no singing experience is needed - and babies are welcome exactly as they are, whether feeding, sleeping or even crying.
Following the success of the launch term, Milk & Melodies will return for a new 6-week Summer Term beginning Tuesday 2nd June. Em will also be running free community sessions this summer as part of Godalming Borough Council’s Staycation programme.
For updates and future term announcements, follow Em on Instagram at @em_bollon or email emily@motivationbymusic.com.