The VIC Choir
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The members of the VIC Choir meet Thursday evening at the VIC Centre in Haslingden.
They start rehearsing at 6.30pm and usually finish around 8.30pm If you would like more information about booking them at your community events or would like to join the Choir then please contact either Barry Hyde on barryhyde@vic.org.uk or 07954294653 Or Ronnie Barker on ronniebarker@vic.org.uk |
Background
The VIC Choir (previously known as the VIC Singing Group until 2019 when it was renamed as VIC Choir) was the inspiration of one of our members who served as a musician in a military band. There are many therapeutic benefits of music to the individual and the community. Being involved in the Choir allows people to meet in an informal activity and the benefits can include; socialising with others, exercise, reduce isolation, improves confidence, motivation, a sense of self-worth and where both the armed forces community and members of the local communities can come together is an activity that everyone can get involved in.
The concept was initially put to VIC in February 2013 and we started developing this concept as an activity in 2014. When we took over the VIC Centre in Haslingden in November 2013, it was felt that this activity based in the Centre would benefit our members and the local community.
The VIC Choir has performed to many audiences across Rossendale; the Festival of Remembrance in Whitworth, Westbourne residential home, Residential Homes, Haslingden Street Fair, and at Whittaker Park.
They have also performed to shoppers in ASDA's in Rawtentall, TESCO in Haslingden, Rawtentall and Bury, Sainsbury's in Burnley, during our fundraising activities.
The concept was initially put to VIC in February 2013 and we started developing this concept as an activity in 2014. When we took over the VIC Centre in Haslingden in November 2013, it was felt that this activity based in the Centre would benefit our members and the local community.
The VIC Choir has performed to many audiences across Rossendale; the Festival of Remembrance in Whitworth, Westbourne residential home, Residential Homes, Haslingden Street Fair, and at Whittaker Park.
They have also performed to shoppers in ASDA's in Rawtentall, TESCO in Haslingden, Rawtentall and Bury, Sainsbury's in Burnley, during our fundraising activities.
The Choir provides an opportunity to relax through singing with friends and by performing in public helps raise much needed funds for the Veterans in Communities Charity – Barry |
A bunch of friendly people who make you feel welcome and don't judge you. No need to be an accomplished singer, just love singing. If you do it in the shower then bring it to the choir – Russ If music be the food of love...play on...When all else fails...sing. We are a friendly group if you enjoy singing come & join us – Ann |
Singing with the choir to raise funds for the VIC gives one a great sense of making a contribution to such an important cause. Friendship with new people, Enjoyment and having a laugh together, Very inclusive organisation, Great music and the opportunity to make suggestions for new musical materials, Performances give one a sense of achievement, Joining the choir allows access to other activities within the VIC such as art, quizzes and social events, Engaging with the choir on a weekly basis helps people who may feel isolated, It’s all good - I love it! – Jane |
I love our weekly choir rehearsal. Everyone is so friendly. Singing makes you feel good plus you are supporting such a worthy cause through performing in the community – Shirley |
The VIC Choir performed at the Accrington Stanley FC Armed Forces Day event at the Stanley Sports Hub on the 14th July 2024. They sang (Is this the way to) Amarillo. Always a good one to get the right atmosphere and people joining in.
The VIC Choir performing (Is this the way to) Amarillo at the Accrington Stanley FC Armed Forces Day event in July 2024.
Operation Return 1st October 2021
Choir during the Coronavirus lockdown
The Choir had to stop rehearsing and performing from March 2020 due to the VIC Centre going into lockdown and the venues where the Choir would've performed before going into lockdown. Government advice and guidelines restricted large gathering of people and changed the way many supermarkets could open, as many of the performances would've been in Supermarkets.
The Choir was fortunate that the early part of the year would've been spent rehearsing and building up to the summer months, Remembrance and Xmas.
However along with the art and crafts groups the Choir members started to use the Zoom platform to rehearse remotely, this was a new experience for the members and some were not in a position to take part in the first virtual imaging performance for VE Day on the 8th May.
The Choir was fortunate that the early part of the year would've been spent rehearsing and building up to the summer months, Remembrance and Xmas.
However along with the art and crafts groups the Choir members started to use the Zoom platform to rehearse remotely, this was a new experience for the members and some were not in a position to take part in the first virtual imaging performance for VE Day on the 8th May.
NHS 72nd Birthday 2020 Somewhere Over the Rainbow by VIC Choir
VE Day 2020 We'll Meet Again by the VIC Choir
VIC Choir performing Hallolujah in 2017 at the veterans In Voices concert in Rawtenstall
VIC Choir performing Pie Jesu in 2017 at the veterans in voices concert in Rawtenstall
VIC Choir performing Walk 500 miles in 2017 at the veterans in voices concert in Rawtenstall
Tesco Haslingden 23rd December 2017
For more information about joining the Singing Group or you would like to book us then please ring the office on 01706 833180. Or you can email barryhyde@vic.org.uk or sg@vic.org.uk
Singing Group schedule of performances
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You can support Veterans In Communities by making a small donation. All donations will go towards the cost of our range of activities that we offer to veterans and their families.
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Veterans and Voices - St Mary's Parish Church Rawtenstall 8th June 2018
On Friday 8th June the Veterans and Voices concert at St Marys Church was huge success, we had over 105 people in the audience who bought tickets enjoying a selection of songs sung by our VIC Singing Group and music played by the Haslingden and Helmshore Band.
We thought last year was good, but this year they performed so much better. The last set was the Singing Group and Band performing together.
We would like to thank all those who helped make this concert possible; the volunteers from St Mary's Church, the members of the Singing Group, the members of the Haslingden and Helmshore Brass Band, VIC members and most of all the audience who came to watch it.
Keep your diaries free for next year...
We thought last year was good, but this year they performed so much better. The last set was the Singing Group and Band performing together.
We would like to thank all those who helped make this concert possible; the volunteers from St Mary's Church, the members of the Singing Group, the members of the Haslingden and Helmshore Brass Band, VIC members and most of all the audience who came to watch it.
Keep your diaries free for next year...
Veterans and Voices - St Marys Parish Church Rawtenstall 17th June 2017
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The concert was an amazing musical experience that brought veterans, voices and the community together to celebrate music and raise funds to support the work of the Veterans In Communities Charity. Pete Sweetmore was the Master of Ceremonies for the evening, and introduced a plethora of musical talent and styles.
The concert was launched by the Wonderful Things Children’s Community Choir, which brings children from local schools together. They performed well-known songs from the shows. The Haslingden and Helmshore Brass Band took the audience back to the 30’s and 40’s by performing a programme of songs from the ‘Big Band’ era and Sarah Dennis, ‘The Veteran’s Sweetheart’ performed a programme of ‘Show Stopping Nostalgia’ songs. The Veterans In Communities Singing Group was the final performance of the evening and performed their programme of popular songs, including modern, classic, gospel and Rock ‘n Roll. |
Alder Grange Live performance of the Battle of the Republic 24th March 2016
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