Come on West Berkshire let's sing our hearts out
Virtual community choir to record I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing
The Corn Exchange Newbury, in partnership with Greenham Trust and Berkshire Maestros, has put a call out for local people to join a virtual community choir to record a celebratory song to be shared online.
As Newbury Weekly News announced earlier this week, the project is open to anyone - you don’t need previous singing experience as singers of all ages learn and perform a version of I’d like to Teach the World to Sing through remote workshops, which begin on Monday (April 6).
Come on - join them - book onto one of five rehearsal sessions via the Corn Exchange website. These 20-minute live sessions will be conducted through the interactive online app Zoom and led by Berkshire County Youth Choirs artistic director Christopher Hann.
No previous singing experience is required and anyone of any age is encouraged to take part.
The online rehearsal sessions will take place on:
Monday, April 6: 9.30am - 10am
Tuesday, April 7: 3pm - 3.30pm
Wednesday, April 8: 11.30am - 12pm
Thursday, April 9: 7pm - 7.30pm
Friday, April 10: 4pm - 4.30pm
You will need to book your place on one of the workshops by 5pm the day before. Participants will then be emailed the words and backing track, as well as guidance on making their own recording.
Using the submitted videos, a final video of the song will be created by local film company MWS to celebrate the resilience, happiness and hope of the community and will be released later in April.
Greenham Trust CEO Chris Boulton said: “This song was chosen by Sarah Franklin, a local nurse who works at Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital.
"Last week she asked for a dedication on my Kennet Radio breakfast show and for it to go out to the members of the public who had supported her and the nursing team. I feel it is the perfect choice to recognise the amazing contribution the NHS staff make, not just now, but every day.”
“I for one can’t wait to see the finished video!” said Corn Exchange head of programming and engagement Charlotte Hall. “We have been running a programme of digital engagement activities since we had to close our doors a few weeks ago.
"This project will see people across the area come together through song and will create an incredible feeling of togetherness at a time when we are physically apart.”
The video will also integrate Makaton and will feature a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter. Any BSL user who would like to take part in the project should e-mail getinvolved@cornexchangenew.co.uk by Wednesday to register their interest.
To book a place for one of the rehearsal sessions or to find out more, please visit www.cornexchangenew.com.
