The sound of lockdown...
CARERS’ CHOIRS RELEASE UPLIFTING SONG TO HELP FUND THEIR GROUPS’ SURVIVAL
MEMBERS of Sing Viva – the two Derbyshire carers’ choirs set up by Sinfonia Viva, the East Midlands’ professional orchestra – have released an uplifting song that reflects experiences and feelings during lockdown.
United in Song (Music Brings Us Joy) has been written by the choir members and Viva composer James Redwood. They performed and videoed it at home and have been accompanied by a Viva ensemble. It is now available on YouTube, as part of Sinfonia Viva’s fundraising campaign to ensure the group’s future.
The lyrics highlight how important group singing sessions have been during lockdown when vulnerable family members had to shield.
Before lockdown, Sing Viva met monthly at venues in Derby and Chesterfield and, since March, they have met weekly via Zoom.
Sinfonia Viva is running an appeal to ensure the long-term future of Sing Viva. A benefactor is match funding donations up to £1,800 and the orchestra is aiming to raise £3,600 by New Year’s Day.
Derby mum Rae Henshaw joined in 2017. She said: “The choir came into my life at just the right time. Sadly, we found out that our daughter had inflammatory bowel disease amongst other conditions, which is a life-long chronic auto-immune condition with no cure. Our lives have since revolved around clinic appointments, treatments, tests and keeping her well. Some days my head just wants to explode with it all and having Sing Viva in our lives is a calming force when times are tough.
“Working with James to write United in Song felt like a therapy session. It was the chance to say what we felt, what was in our heads and how lockdown made us feel.
“Having our song to think about when times were tough gave me a focus and distraction from what was happening elsewhere.”
Fellow member Melanie Pierson added: “My husband and I joined when we were caring for both my disabled elderly mother and Andy’s brother who came to live with us while he was being treated for an aggressive form of cancer.
“Attending the sessions gave us something for ourselves and muchneeded distance from our responsibilities. It released so many feelgood hormones and surrounded us with happy people and happy music which was a fabulous tonic.
“During lockdown, we’ve really appreciated the weekly sessions.”
Marianne Barraclough, Sinfonia Viva’s deputy chief executive in charge of programming said: “Having composed, rehearsed and recorded United in Song in early autumn, it is pertinent that we now releasing the video mid-way through the second lockdown when we hopefully better appreciate the damage that isolation and anxiety can have on people’s health and mental wellbeing.”
Supporters of Sinfonia Viva’s fundraising campaign include the Orchestra’s patrons – the Kanneh-Mason family – some of whom have recently featured in high-profile performances including the BBC Children in Need official song and on Strictly Come Dancing.
The family said: “Every pound pledged will be doubled so let’s keep the virtual choirs singing.”