Sweet music! Singing group takes rehearsals to the webcam

Harmony and Health are still hitting the notes and singing together throughout the coronavirus lockdown.
The Harmony and Health take part in online Zoom rehearsals.The Harmony and Health take part in online Zoom rehearsals.
The Harmony and Health take part in online Zoom rehearsals.

The choir, that was started three years ago by Shirley Seracleous, have kept in touch and continued singing through webcam service Zoom.

With groups across Wyre and Lancashire, members have been able to carry on rehearsing and singing their favourite songs together after organiser Shirley delivered song books to them.

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“It’s a shame because a lot of our members don’t have access to the internet or social media so it can be hard to get in touch with them or video call them,” said Shirley, 73.

Song books and CDs prepared by choir organiser ShirleySong books and CDs prepared by choir organiser Shirley
Song books and CDs prepared by choir organiser Shirley

“I realised that only our younger members were able to get onto the video calls, so I had to consider our older members who are alone during this time.

“I planned to take them CDs and a song book for them to be able to continue singing at home. It’s taken me weeks because I’ve already done 140 sets!”

The groups in Cleveleys, Fleetwood and Garstang include people who are socially isolated or unwell with conditions such as dementia.

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Harmony and Health also welcome younger members who may be vulnerable and living in difficult situations, such as in sheltered accommodations.

Choir Harmony and Health performing together at the Marine Hall.Choir Harmony and Health performing together at the Marine Hall.
Choir Harmony and Health performing together at the Marine Hall.

Since Shirley began the scheme in 2017, singing and socialising has brought over 200 members to the groups, who meet weekly for rehearsals.

“I was involved with the Dream Team singers for twelve years, and then decided to help lead smaller choirs in the area to help people who may be socially isolated,” said Shirley.

“We even have members who are older than 90 who have enjoyed joining our groups as it means they can make friends. For some of them it's the only thing they have to look forward to every weekend.

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“We have spent the last few years telling people to get involved and not keep isolated, and now everyone has been told to isolate so now, we don’t know what our future will be.”

Due to the lockdown restrictions, the choir have had to cancel many of their singing events planned for the coming months, such as a charity event at the Marine Hall, Fleetwood and a performance in association with Mens Shed mental health charity.

Previously, they have taken to the famous Blackpool Tower Ballroom and graced the stage in the Spanish Hall at the Winter Gardens.

Shirley wanted to make sure that members of the choir groups could still have something to look forward to, with weekly singing sessions over video call.

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“The zoom meetings weren’t a substitute for a rehearsal, but they meant we could all see each other and see happy faces,” she said.

“I used Facebook to find many of our members who don’t have access to the internet. I asked people if they know anyone in Harmony and Health, and have ended up with people desperate to join us once the lockdown ends.”

The groups became associated with Wyre Council, who allowed the Fleetwood group to use the Marine Hall as a space to socialise with one another and sing old favourites like Roy Orbison’s ‘Pretty Woman’.

Shirley claims that many of their members see the hall as “a home and a hub” where the family of singers meet every Tuesday.

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“I know that many of our older members have people making sure they are physically healthy, for example those living in homes, but their wellbeing and mental state of mind is just as important.

“It’s the connection and contact that they get through our choirs that matters.”