Singing through the pain

A choir that has provided a lifeline to more than 700 UK schools during lockdown is backing a campaign bidding to force the government to ease restrictions that are preventing thousands of people from rehearsing indoors.

The BIG Sing, who have performed with stars like Ellie Goulding and Leona Lewis, has joined together with other UK-based organisations to campaign about the restrictions that currently prevent large choirs from rehearsing indoors. At the moment, legislation only permits groups of six people to rehearse together.

To this aim, it has signed a petition that has already accumulated the support of more than 57,000 people. To find out more about the protest, please click here.

The campaign coincides with the choir’s 10th birthday anniversary – and a success in forcing the government into a U-turn would be a fitting triumph in this special year.

The BIG Sing is located all over the UK (via micro choirs) and actively promotes singing among people of all cultures, race, backgrounds and ages. Such has been its popularity, there is now a specific choir for women aged between 45-70 and mums (aged 25-40) with small children.

Founded in 2011 by former London Community Gospel Choir (LCGC) members, Howard and Gemma Francis, the choir has really come to prominence during the last year, with 700 schools using its online singing workshops in the classroom to bolster the morale of young children.