Joy as choir resumes in-person rehearsals
AFTER a hiatus of more than a year, face-to-face rehearsals have now resumed for Rossendale Ladies Choir.
The first lockdown in March 2020 saw an end to weekly rehearsals, in preparation for an upcoming music festival and local concerts based on “songs from the shows”.
To the choir’s musical director Matthew Thomas, it soon became obvious that the lockdown would not be a short-term solution and that another way of keeping the choir together was needed.
Matthew has been using his ICT skills to provide Zoom rehearsals, singing practice routines and he also mixed a whole choir Christmas concert from recordings of individual choir members from both the ladies choir and Male Voice choir.
All proceeds from the concert went to Rossendale Hospice.
However, this week saw a change to the rehearsals as the country traverses the roadmap out of lockdown. On June 30 the choir held its first in-person rehearsal for more than 12 months on a school yard in Haslingden.
Acting chairperson Tracey-Ann Willetts said it was “a great success”.
“Our usual location of St Peter’s Church in Haslingden could not accommodate our large group as there is little outside space, so we asked Broadway Primary School if we could use their yard,” added Tracey-Ann.
Concert secretary Karen Barnes said it was great to see everyone for the first rehearsal.
Karen added: “Although Zoom rehearsals have been a lifeline during the pandemic, the mental health benefits of singing with your friends should not be underestimated, and I am looking forward to singing outdoors over the next few months before we return to our usual rehearsal space.”
Mezzo soprano Kate Carlen said: “I was really looking forward to our first outdoor rehearsal this week and was not disappointed. Les Miserables is one of my favourite theatre shows and we have been learning a medley of songs from the show during lockdown.
“It was great to hear how we sounded as a group and can’t wait for our first live performance.”
If you are interested in joining the choir, please visit www.rossendaleladieschoir.com or email rossendaleladieschoir@ gmail. com.