An update on our return to in-person rehearsals, and some events for your calendar.
Return to In-person Rehearsals We resumed in-person rehearsals on Sunday 5th September at our brilliant new venue, St Wilfrid’s Church Hall, 97 Lorrimore Road, London, SE17 3LZ. It was so lovely to see everyone and to sing together!
We have two further rehearsals coming up, and all of our rehearsals are open to new members. We will then have our usual month off in December, hopefully with some Christmas Carolling events to be planned nearer the time. 15:45-19:00 on Sunday 3rd October 15:45-19:00 on Sunday 14th November The venue is for 100 people, so plenty of room for distancing, and is an accessible venue with its own kitchen. The nearest tube stations are Kennington and Oval (Northern Line), and the nearest overground is Vaxhall Station. There is also free parking outside the venue on Sundays and it is not in the Congestion Zone. For the safety and wellbeing of all our members, we ask that anyone attending our in-person rehearsals takes a lateral flow test prior to the session (not more than 48hrs before the start time). We require all attendees to wear a mask, except when singing, and ask that social distancing be observed throughout. The first month is free for new members as a "taster session", so please get in touch if you would like to join us for one of our in-person rehearsals. This offer is open to former members and anyone who did a taster session before September 2021.
Online Rehearsals
Online rehearsals are also still available in conjunction with our sister choir, Sweet Charity Choir Online. This will allow our members who are not in London, or not ready to attend in-person, to still participate (the online resources also allow you to catch up on missed rehearsals and learn in your own time).
Events Information
Collaborations NHSC are currently working on a number of exciting collaborative projects with a singer/songwriter (also an NHS Doctor), #NHSPay15 campaign, development of a musical about the NHS, and ongoing projects with our choir director and sister choir SCC. We will keep you posted on developments! Protests and Demos On the 5th July, NHSC members joined other NHS colleagues to protest the sell-off of GP practices to American Health Insurance giant, Centene. We also took part in #NHSPay15 demos on the 27th July and 30th July in Central London. As union members vote to reject the paltry 3% pay offer, and the government continues its attempts to further privatise our NHS, there will be many more protests and demos to come. Fight Song For anyone who is not already aware, our friend and choir member Maria Gilroy passed away earlier this year. As a tribute to her, we recorded a special version of Fight Song, which you can find here. Please subscribe to our YouTube channel, share the video, and donate to Cancer Research UK in Maria's memory if you are able. Social We enjoyed a socially distanced picnic in Greenwich Park on 18th July, and also took part in the We Own It Tug of War event against the government's Corporate Takeover Bill.
If you are considering joining a choir, and are not already a member, then NHSC just might be the right fit for you! We are a political choir that is open to all - NHS staff, patients and supporters - with a focus on protecting and supporting our NHS and promoting wellbeing through singing. In-person rehearsals recommenced in September 2021, and will continue unless Covid restrictions change. An online rehearsal option will remain available for anyone who is unable to attend in person, in conjuntion with sister choir SCC. If you'd like to join us for a free taster month, just get in touch through our website or via email to info@nhsupporterschoir.co.uk.