Harmony InSpires of Oxford - Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now! - Acappella Chorus Lockdown Video

The one with the dogs, cats and showing the resilience of this fine chorus and it’s drive during a difficult time. In their own words: We’re so proud to share with you our virtual chorus video! Learnt, recorded and put together during COVID... Rewind to a year ago - Harmony InSpires was apprehensive, we were saying goodbye to Peter Cookson who had been Musical Director for over seven years – how were we going to find a new director? Would we like them, would they like us? We needn’t have worried! Hari Birtles took over in November 2019 straight after LABBS in Llandudno and in our first music festival together we gained Outstanding in both categories – “feeling and sensitivity were never in doubt” – “full and energised tone”! We started making wonderful plans – singouts in Oxford for Christmas, new songs, exciting coaching, we would move to a brand new rehearsal hall, we were having a Retreat Weekend in Swindon (!), we were heading for Bournemouth in 2020 with new outfits and everything…. and then of course it all had to stop. After four short months of learning our names and faces, who was in which section, building the stack and who made the best cuppa at tea break, Hari had to rewrite the rehearsal rule book and guide us all through how to Zoom. Again we were apprehensive, how could we keep singing together if we couldn’t get together? Yes, it was the same for all the singers from all over the country, but we have done so much during lockdown that we wouldn’t have been able to do together. As well as new physical and vocal warm-ups, much laughter and fun, we have been educated and inspired by some amazing coaches from home and abroad, we have been learning new songs and music theory and sharing the songs that have inspired us through the years (there have been tears!) and we have been lucky enough to have just had our first face to face rehearsal in our new home (there were more tears!). Hearing those harmonies again was just magical. It has been a tough first year together, but we are stronger for it and can’t wait for what the future brings. Nothing’s going to stop us singing, laughing and being inspired through harmony. www.harmonyinspires.org   / www.harmonyinspires.org   info@harmonyinspires.org Rehearsals Every Wednesday 7:30pm currently online but moving very soon to Marcham Village Hall, Barrow Close, Marcham OX13 6TY Where is there a local choir near me? Visit https://www.labbs.org.uk to find a choir near you.