Shine Choir is a children’s choir based at St. Clare’s Church, Newton Aycliffe. Practices normally held every Monday evening 5pm till 6pm free of charge are suspended until further notice. However, read on for a different way of rehearsing.
Every year Shine Children’s Community Choir puts on two performances which help to build confidence and friendships in even the most timid child. This gives each one of them the opportunity to SHINE whatever their abilities might be.
This year plans have had to change. Helen McCormick who leads the choir, and Catherine Telford tell us, ‘even though we are not able to sing indoors, we would still like our children to perform, just with a different approach. Our plans involve getting small groups of children together, distanced of course, and allowing them to sing and act their part and they will be recorded in the process. When complete, the shots will be edited together to make a film for posting to our Facebook page’.
Helen and Catherine told us that the issue was that they did not have the facility to enable this new way of working. Along with Great Aycliffe and Middridge Partnership – GAMP, Rotary Newton Aycliffe recognised that providing the necessary equipment would give the children something to aim for and keep their spirits up during this exceedingly difficult time. Trish Pemberton, our Rotary President went along to see Catherine last week and presented her with a cheque to cover the cost of Bluetooth speakers which would assist in their new venture.
Catherine said, ‘we were really thrifty and there was enough left in the donation to also make up activity packs for the children to complete at home. These would be packed, sealed and posted out to each child by age group allowing them to have a fun afternoon making and creating to at least support them during the tough times we are all experiencing’. The photographs show our President, Trish, handing the funds to Catherine and some of the choir members in past rehearsals.
Anyone wishing to join the choir or perhaps would like further details, please ring Helen McCormick 07716 801262 or search Facebook for their page where you can leave a message.
