Choir members balance key worker roles with creation of an original virtual song ‘Together’ that embraces internet lag in world first.
Military Wives Choirs members around the world are reversing roles with their husbands and partners and joining the frontline in the battle against Covid-19. 75 choirs from the UK to Naples and the Falkland Islands are continuing their music-making through weekly virtual rehearsals, all whilst maintaining key worker roles as medics, doctors, nurses, care workers, teachers, military personnel and NHS staff. To enable them to truly sing together, they are innovating with the creation of an original song titled ‘Together’, written for the Military Wives Choirs by renowned conductor Hilary Davan Wetton.
“Over half of our choir are frontline workers at our nearby Hospital and we also have two teachers” said one choir member, Kate, whilst adding “One of our members is working a long day on the Coronavirus Isolation Ward today – our thoughts are with her. In a strange way, this is a bit of role reversal. For once, the wives and girlfriends are out on the frontline whilst many husbands and partners are juggling life at home.”
“Our choirs have started using video conferencing software such as Zoom to host our regular weekly rehearsals” said Chair of Trustees and choir member Maggie Pedder, adding “what we were finding was that the sound delay meant we had to mute everyone, which stopped us from hearing each other’s voices and feeling that sense of community which comes from singing together. We wondered if there was a way to embrace the latency rather than fight it, and that’s where Hilary Davan Wetton came in”.
“Even though we can’t all be together, we have never felt stronger, together” said Military Wives Choirs member Giselle, a poignant reminder of the situation many of us find ourselves in.
Spring Concert Series 2021
Due to the ongoing impact of Covid-19 and restrictions in place across the country a decision has been taken to postpone our Autumn Concert Series. The Concert Series along with the addition of a new Bristol date will now take place during the Spring of 2021. For all existing ticket holders your ticket will remain valid, the seat number chosen will remain the same and your ticket will automatically revert over to the new date. For anyone wanting to purchase a ticket for the new dates they are on sale via our website now. We thank you for your understanding and cooperation during this difficult time for us all. Please stay safe and we look forward to welcoming you all to our concerts in much happier times.
New dates
- Wednesday 3 March 2021 – Bristol St George
- Thursday 4 March 2021 – Birmingham Town Hall
- Saturday 6 March 2021 – Ipswich Corn Exchange
- Sunday 7 March 2021 – Edinburgh Queen’s Hall
- Saturday 13 March 2021 – Nottingham Albert Hall
- Sunday 14 March 2021 – London Cadogan Hall
- Sunday 21 March 2021 – Inverness Eden Court
- Saturday 27 March 2021 – Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre
- Sunday 28 March 2021 – York Barbican
Tickets are available via www.militarywiveschoirs.org.
The Military Wives Choirs
With 75 choirs and more than 2,300 members in British military bases across the UK and overseas, the Military Wives Choirs is a charity that brings all women in the military community (not just wives) closer together and empowers them through singing. Families of service personnel move around frequently and it can often be tough to put down roots or make new friends, particularly when loved ones are away for long periods of time. Research shows that singing in a choir can help to alleviate stress and can contribute to an improvement in mental health. The Military Wives Choirs therefore have a vital role to play by bringing women in the military community together to sing.
The Military Wives Choirs is a registered charity in England & Wales (1148302) & Scotland (SC045217).
Contact
Julia Hudson, Music & Performance Manager, Military Wives Choirs jhudson@militarywiveschoirs.org / 07903 537197
