On 1st June 2021 Lancaster Singers met for the first time in 448 days to sing together in person. The rehearsal was in the playground of Bowerham Primary School. This was a long-awaited and joyful event which was evident from the smiles on members’ faces as they sang. The pandemic has prevented the choir from singing together in person but they have met almost weekly on Zoom to learn and rehearse and keep in touch with one another.

Throughout the past year, the Director of Music, Duncan Lloyd directed the Zoom singing and has created rehearsal tracks to help members learn their parts. The Chair, Chris Haughton organised the sessions, as well as social events

The singers had not heard each other sing since March 2020 and it was wonderful to hear their voices joining together. They were accompanied on piano by Ian Tate.  The weather couldn’t have been better and there was a lovely background of bird song in the evening sunshine.

A small committee had taken great care to ensure all the Covid security guidelines were observed and although this meant that singers had to be seated appropriately distanced and had to avoid singing loudly, it didn’t take anything away from the enjoyment. The Director of Music, Duncan Lloyd was unable to attend so members of the choir stepped up to the podium to conduct familiar pieces that were mostly already known to the choir.

It is as yet uncertain when the Lancaster Singers will be able to meet in person indoors but at least this gave us one opportunity to sing together.

Michele Allen