REGION’S UNIQUE CHOIR SEEKS NEW MEMBERS

19 Mar 2019 01:18
Published by: Daniel Almond

The region’s unique Choir for people living with and beyond cancer is seeking to recruit new members. Membership is free and open to anyone over 18 years old, who has received a cancer diagnosis of any type, at any time. There are no geographical restrictions on membership, as long as people can get to the centre of Bolton for rehearsals on Monday evenings. No previous choral experience is required; people do not need to be able to read music and there are no auditions to worry about.

 

Formed in 2012, the friendly, just under 40-strong Choir come together as any other community Choir to share their love of singing; enjoy fun, uplifting experiences; meet new challenges and look forward to forthcoming appearances. Though their focus is singing, rehearsals provide an invaluable opportunity for cancer patients and cancer survivors to benefit from meeting others in a similar situation.

 

The Choir’s highlights include their annual ‘Jingle Bell Sing-A-Long’ concert at the Victoria Hall, to which, over the years they have welcomed guest bands Besses o’th’ Barn Band and the Greater Manchester Police Band; recording a CD; being featured on BBC Northwest Tonight, ITV Granada Reports and That’s Manchester; appearing at Manchester Cathedral in the ‘Christmas Celebration’ of Greater Manchester Police; their 5th Birthday concert with guests Salford Symphony Orchestra and Affetside Choir; a joint venture with legendry comedy / folk group ‘ The Houghton Weavers’ and most recently, their appearance at theworld-renowned Royal Albert Hall, London, in the ‘Festival of Brass and Voices’, last November.

 

Karen Elliott, Founder and Chair said: -

‘Until people first come to a rehearsal they can be under the misapprehension that the Choir is going to be sombre, with cancer the dominant feature: in fact nothing could be further from the truth! Many choose to leave their illness at the door and have an hour and a half when their head is filled with the next note, the next song or the next concert; rather than their next treatment, next scan or next result. We have lots of laughs, plenty of things to look forward to and never let cancer stand in our way or stifle our dreams and aspirations.

 

Singing is increasingly recognised as having therapeutic benefits, particularly singing within the social setting of a Choir: but people don’t join for this reason, it’s simply an added bonus of doing something they love and get immense pleasure from. For many the Choir has proved an important part of their journey as they live with and beyond cancer and we’re delighted that we can be there for people in our own positive, innovative way.

 

Whether you are new to singing and keen to give it a try or a seasoned performer, we’d love to hear from you.’

 

For membership enquiries contact Karen on 01204 595562 / 07773 164235

You can follow the Choir on Facebook – Bolton Cancer Voices or Twitter@VoicesBolton

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