Biggleswade singers in good voice

More than 50 amateur vocalists attended the open singing session at Biggleswade Music Centre, a weekly musical meet that takes place at Holmemead Middle School.

The workshop was held in a bid to attract new musicians to the Music Centre and as part of the national Sing Up initiative.

Sing Up is a scheme which encourages children to sing from an early age and to make singing something they do regularly.

Bridget Fordham, head of the Biggleswade Music Centre was delighted to see so many new faces at the gathering.

She said: “I was hoping we would have a good turn-out but I never expected to see quite so many people.

“We had singers of all ages. I think the youngest would have been about five and the oldest were in their eighties.”

The session was led by vocal animateur Penny Manser from Inspiring Music who has previously run Sing Up workshops in schools around Chronicle Country.

Penny helped the group with their vocals before leading a song that everyone took part in at the end of the workshop.

Bridget added: “We wanted to emphasise how singing can be such a positive thing in people’s lives. There are the obvious social benefits to be had but it is also good for your wellbeing generally.

“It is difficult to feel depressed when you are singing.”

Biggleswade Music Centre hosts sessions for recorder and keyboard groups as well as for other bands and musicians who play a wide variety of styles.

For more information see www.inspiringmusic.co.uk

To learn more about Sing Up see www.singup.org