Viva's virtual voices

Members of Sing Viva, Bondholder Sinfonia Viva's choirs, are gearing up to join a series of virtual workshops this summer.

The two Derbyshire carers’ choirs, set up by Sinfonia Viva, bring together people who care for relatives and friends in various capacities and previously met monthly at venues in Derby and Chesterfield.

Since lockdown, they have been making music on virtual meeting platforms and recently posted a performance with Sinfonia Viva musicians of ‘Lean on Me’ on Youtube.

They will write and perform their own lockdown anthem in July and August, as one of Sinfonia Viva's regular composers and workshop leaders, James Redwood, holds four virtual gatherings, helping choir members write their own song reflecting their emotions and experiences during lockdown.

Sinfonia Viva chief executive, Peter Helps, said: “Lockdown has obviously been a particular challenge for many of the Sing Viva members and, although it is not the same to sing at home in front of a computer, everyone has enjoyed being part of this collective music making.

“James Redwood is a regular member of the Viva education and community participation programme – working with people of all ages to compose and perform really engaging and high quality music.

“We are looking forward to him bringing everyone together to create what I know will be a wonderful piece of choral music that will reflect the personal and collective experiences of this lovely group of people.”

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Among the choir members is Fiona who has juggled working at a school with home-schooling her three sons including her eldest who has special educational needs.

Fiona said: “I joined Sing Viva’s Derby choir two years ago initially to challenge myself to try something new and I have not looked back since.

“An important focus for us as a family during lockdown has been to ensure everyone is happy and the Sing Viva virtual choir has been valuable ‘me time’ when I have not had to think about anything else – apart from singing in tune!

“Singing on your own into the computer is rather weird and you can’t beat actually being in the same room as everyone else but it has been enjoyable nonetheless and I am looking forward to the workshops to compose our the anthem.”