In March 2000, a unique North East charitable organisation, 20,000 Voices, committed to getting people singing, ran a six week 'Find Your Voice' course which took place at the Customs House in South Shields.

20,000 Voices was set up in 1993 by Mid Northumberland Arts - now an independent company and registered charity, its aim was to get 20,000 voices actively involved within 3 years from people of all ages and abilities.

Following the six week course at the Customs House, the demand for the choir to continue was so great that with the support of 20,000 Voices and Joe Peterson, the Customs House Director of Arts in the Community, a three year Single Regeneration grant was applied for which would enable 20,000 Voices to continue with its work. The Customs House Choir was formed.

Led by Sharon Durant the choir went from strength to strength, widening participation and opening its doors to the community by encouraging people who had never sung before to come along and try it for themselves.

As the initial funding came to an end the choir voted to become self-funding, so with the guidance of Joe Peterson and support from STRIDE, an organisation whose aims are to assist community and voluntary groups reach their potential and create a network to help influence the borough and shape the local economy, an application was made to the Community Foundation.

The Community Foundation aims were to create a culture of giving that helps to build stronger communities and offer a cost-effective way for donors to make a long term difference. The choir were successful with their application and received a grant from the 'Community Chest' that would enable them to become a self-funded organisation and to meet costs for their first year.

The choir re-named themselves 'Custom Voices', the Customs House Community choir and while maintaining strong links to both the Customs House and 20,000 Voices, they have performed for a variety of charitable institutions and have also been performed in some quite lucrative local events.