Photograph Colin Hattersley
Congratulations to Sick Kids community Choir who won the Local Connection Award category. We asked them the following questions.
Tell us more about the choir
The Sick Kids Community Choir is filled with exceptional people, from consultants to volunteers, therapists to Friends Foundation staff.
We attend a variety of fundraising events, from shopping centre fairs to marathons and Jenners’ annual Christmas tree light switch on, with every penny raised going to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Edinburgh. The Sick Kids Community Choir is the only official social activity in the hospital, organised to bring people from all areas of the building together.
Tom Paton has recently taken up the roll of Musical Director and the entire choir feels extremely lucky to have such a talented composer and musician working with us. He is constantly challenging us and certainly keeps us on our toes!
How long has the choir been singing together?
The Sick Kids Community Choir has been singing together for almost two years. The choir officially began September 2013 and we held a few tasters sessions a in the months running up to this.
What have you/has the choir got planned in the next 12 months?
We have lots of exciting performance ahead of us over the next 12 months. Over the summer we will be performing on the hospital wards and we have joined together with The Summerhall Singers and Castle Chorus to put on a families and friends Evening of Singing. Over autumn and winter we will be singing at SKFF’s Girly Get Together fundraising event and hopefully lots of Carols concerts leading up to Christmas including the Friends Foundation’s Carols for Christmas service. We haven’t planned 2016 yet, but I’m sure lots more of the same wonderful events are ahead of us.
What has been the highlight the choir’s singing journey?
We’ve had the opportunity to perform all over Edinburgh at so many diverse events. Highlights include the SKFF’s Carols for Christmas concert and performing at the New Fellows Dinner at the School on Physicians. For us the best moments come when we’re able to sing on the hospital wards to the children and their families.
Why did the choir first start singing together?
The Sick Kids Community Choir first started to bring members of the hospital community together and for them to find a couple of hour’s relaxation and fun within their demanding work lives.
How does it feel to be the first winner of the award?
Winning this award was totally unexpected and we feel honoured and grateful for the recognition, especially knowing how many other amazing community choirs there are in Scotland.
What are the choir’s favourite songs?
We perform such a variety of songs it’s hard to choose a favourite. We were recently given a masterclass by Marie Claire Breen of the Scottish National Opera which was amazing. However, I think in our heart of hearts we all love singing Disney songs – they always go down a treat with children and adults alike.
What styles of singing do you enjoy most?
The choir has a distinctive style and performs songs from many different genres, including pop, musical theatre, Scottish Folk and of course Christmas Carols. We always like to perform amazing vocal harmonies, but with an element of surprise!
Read more about Sick Kids community Choir at their website
http://http://www.edinburghsickkids.org/what-we-do/kreativkids/sick-kids-community-choir
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