Global virtual choir sing together for NHS charity single
A choir-leader from Hereford has released a charity single performed by singers from across the world as part of a virtual choir to spread a message of hope and solidarity during the coronavirus pandemic.
Emma Rowland wrote "Song for the People" on the first weekend of the lockdown as part of rehearsals for her virtual choir group, Sing out Strong, on Facebook.
WATCH: Global virtual choir sing "Song for the People"
As choir members learnt the song and created voice and video recordings of themselves singing it, the group decided to open up contributions to members of the public.
As a result more than 3,000 people have joined the group from around the world, including the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Dubai, South Africa, Rwanda, Egypt, South America and all across Europe and the UK.
Mrs Rowland says singing is an important tool to bring people together during this difficult time.
Choir member Simon Hopkins, who is also a video editor for Tewksbury TV, used computer technology to layer the voices and synchronise the videos from hundreds of contributions from around the world to form this large virtual choir - without the participants ever meeting.
The single was released over the Easter weekend and all the proceeds will be going to NHS Charities Together to support NHS staff and volunteers caring for COVID-19 patients.
Mrs Rowland says she is shocked with how well the single has been received by the public.
Who is Sing Out Strong?
Sing Out Strong is an organisation in Herefordshire, Monmouthshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire, which provides choirs and social-singing groups for mental health and wellbeing.
The group decided to offer free virtual choir practices on Facebook as soon as social groups were closed as a result of the lockdown.
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