Although face-to face rehearsals for Military Wives Choirs are currently on pause, members are holding weekly virtual rehearsals, including many who are also key workers, joining the frontline in the battle against coronavirus.
To enable them to truly sing together, they have created an original song called ‘Together’.
“Over half of our choir are frontline workers at our nearby hospital and we also have two teachers,” says 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. For once, the wives and girlfriends are out on the frontline whilst many husbands and partners are juggling life at home.”
Chair of trustees and choir member Maggie Pedder adds: “Our choirs have started using video conferencing software such as Zoom to host our regular weekly rehearsals. 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.”
So ‘Together’ was composed using classical techniques and lyrics from choir members to create a song which accommodates the internet delay. “Even though we can’t all be together, we have never felt stronger, together,” says member Giselle.
To find out more, visit http://www.militarywiveschoirs.org