News
Candy's Allsorts
Members of the Performance Group had a meeting in July and agreed that the Performance Group per se will close this summer. However, rising from the ashes will be a new performance-based choir called Candy’s Allsorts
This will be open to everyone to apply (not just Singing in the Round) though we anticipate it being largely drawn from SinR, with a similar repertoire.
For more details see 'Candy's Allsorts' page
Photos
There's a gallery of photos from Easter 2008 and the concert at Stourhead.
Elizabeth and Singing in the Round
Margaret and her daughter, Elizabeth, have recently joined the Bradford group. This was instigated by Anne O’Bryan. As Elizabeth has some disability, her family and supporters were wondering what effect this might have on her. She’s never sung in a choir before. Margaret has now written this article for the Person-Centred Newsletter and has given us permission to reprint it here:
"At the end of 2007, at a meeting concerning Person-centred Approaches, a friend overheard me telling another Parent Carer that my daughter had a great appreciation of music and liked singing. It was suggested to me that I might like to take Elisabeth to the group 'Singing-in-the-round.' We both joined this group and Elisabeth just loves it and sings along very lustily. The approach at these groups suits her as she has echolalia and after constant repetition, she learns all the words and follows the tunes along. She was very stimulated after just the first session and managed to tell me that she liked it, all of which was a thrill in itself as she does not have much speech. I had not mentioned any of this to the Resource Centre where she goes each day, so imagine my pleasure when I read the following in the Home/Centre diary:- "Hello, Elisabeth joined in with a sing-along this morning and made a very positive contribution - traditional tunes like Frere Jacques and London's burning, Scarborough Fair, Kumbayah, Skye-boat song - a really strong and positive voice. When we were singing Amazing Grace, Elisabeth had tears coursing down her cheeks. Would there be any special memories? Lizzie wasn't able to tell me. She brightened up very quickly. Best wishes A----" My reply was this:- "This is so thrilling - singing is Lizzie's love. I take her to a singing group "Singing-in-the-round" on Thursday evenings and she loves it so much. She sings alto with me and also harmonises. I am not surprised at the tears - she does get emotional in some - it is when her spirit has been stirred - she is a Christian and just loves singing about her Friend, Jesus!" The reply came back:- "Thank you for your lovely response - I shall look out a whole range of music." I am really glad that I took Elisabeth to the singing group - it obviously has given her much happiness and she has grown in confidence!