‘It gives you a great sense of achievement’
Retired ward sister Elaine Grant (61), from Limavady, joined the choir for a couple of years but had to stop because of her working hours. She returned to the choir following retirement. Elaine is married to John and they have two children, Andrew and Jane, and three grandchildren.
“From whenever I can remember I’ve always been singing. I was always musical, singing in church choirs and so on. And I was a soloist and went to voice training, I would have done solos at church. In school I would have taken the leading part in singing things as well.
“I knew about the choir through working in Altnagelvin, but I only did it for a few years as nurses work a 12-hour shift. So, I was only in it for a couple of years because I couldn’t make the practices. Sometimes the music can be quite challenging, so you need to be there. When you work 12hour shifts you’re tired as well. Singing is quite physical, so to do your best you must be in prime condition. It was with a heavy heart that I had to give up.
“But I always said that when I retired, if they would have me, I would go back to the choir. I retired in August 2017 and I was back in the choir in September.
“Probably the highlight for me was when we sang The Messiah in the Guildhall in May for the 25th anniversary — it was fantastic. It gives you a great sense of achievement. I’ve never sung The Messiah right through before, just the excerpts, and I wondered would we ever be able to do this, but it was great. It was worth all the hard work.
“Singing is great for physical and mental health, it helps with relaxation. I was reading recently that it’s great for stimulating the brain and it’s also very good for your breathing. After being off for the summer recess I felt my breathing wasn’t what it was in May, but now it’s back to normal.
“Singing is good for your physical and mental wellbeing and at the end of the practice you feel you have achieved something. It gives you a good feeling about yourself and you look forward to going back the next week — so it’s doing something!
“I suppose I have an indirect link now with Altnagelvin Hospital with being in the choir and keeping in touch. I love all the banter.
“There aren’t many nurses in the choir and I think it’s because of the all the unsocial hours. But there are a lot of medical staff in the choir who are former colleagues and they are a very friendly bunch.”
❝ Singing is good for your wellbeing... you look forward to going back next week