Derbyshire community choirs open to new members after funding boost

Sing Viva choirs, which are free to attend monthly on Tuesday evenings and weekly online, offer singing, fun and friendship to carers and anybody who would like to sing with a supportive group.

Grants totalling £18,650 have been received from East Midlands Airport Community Foundation, The Prince of Wales Charitable Fund, National Lottery Awards for All, Orchestras Live, Derbyshire County Council and Asda Green Token Giving.

Professional orchestra Sinfonia Viva set up the choirs five years ago in recognition of the benefits of community singing for people with caring responsibilities.

Since then, the choirs have widened their membership to support all those who would like to sing in a friendly group. As well as enjoying regular music making, they have released online videos of their work and performed at several concerts.

Their most recent performance was in May as part of Sinfonia Viva’s 40th anniversary concert at Derby Cathedral, where Sing Viva gave the premiere of new commission specially written for them by internationally-renowned composer and violinist Preetha Narayanan.

They are also a popular part of the annual Darley Park open air concert in the city and have their sights set on their programme for this year’s concert on Sunday August 28.

With the future of choirs secured, Sing Viva are welcoming new members. Sessions are held at All Saints Church in Wingerworth and at the Multi Faith Centre at the University of Derby on Tuesdays from 7.30pm to 9.30pm and are simultaneously run online.

Everybody is welcome – whether they have experience singing in a group or not. The repertoire includes a selection of choral favourites and songs from popular shows.

Marianne Barraclough, Sinfonia Viva deputy chief executive: programme, said: “We originally set up Sing Viva Carers’ Choir in Derby as part of our 35th anniversary programme and now, as we celebrate our 40 th anniversary, it is wonderful to have the backing of these funders to take the choirs forward.

“The focus of Sing Viva is to enable people of all ages and circumstances who have caring responsibilities, or would like to make new friends, to have some time and space for themselves and enjoy making music in a friendly and supportive group.

“There is widespread recognition that singing supports health and wellbeing. Whether you are a carer, feeling socially isolated or would like to make new friends, we can all benefit from the opportunity to take a well-deserved break and enjoy a group activity such as singing.

“This has been particularly important during the pandemic and it is wonderful to get back to in person sessions, and we still run our sessions online too for those who feel more comfortable joining us online or are not able to get to our venues.”

Sinfonia Viva is the East Midlands’ only professional orchestra.

For more information about Sing Viva and ways to support Sinfonia Viva in its 40th anniversary year, go to www.sinfoniaviva.co.uk]