Wendover Choir heads for National Competition
AWendover choir is busy with last minute rehearsals as it prepares to take part in a nationwide singing competition called the Big Sing Off.
The group is made up of staff, foster carers and looked after children from Foster Care Associates (FCA), which is celebrating its 21st anniversary this year.
Calling themselves The Royals, the choir will travel down to the event at Chateau Impney in Worcestershire on Saturday 18 April, and will compete against 14 other choirs from FCA’s regional operations across the UK.
Singing ‘songs from the movies’, they will be looking to impress an esteemed panel of judges, including classical soprano Claire Delaney who will also be performing at the event, and Adam Treadaway, assistant conductor with The National Youth Choirs of Great Britain.
Choir co-ordinator and registered manager for FCA Thames Valley,Karen Bolton,said preparations are going well: “Everyone is extremely excited about testing their singing and performance skills against choirs from across the UK and we are all looking forward to what should be a terrific event and a wonderful celebration of the great things we do at FCA.
“Rehearsals have been going well and are slowly building as we get closer to the big day. But the most important thing is that it has been a really positive experience for the young people, carers and staff and there has been a great spirit within the choir.
“Whether we win or lose the choir has been a pleasure to be a part of.”
Daniel Thomas, a judge and director of Chroma, an organisation which provides music and arts therapy services to families across the UK, added: “In our experience of supporting families with young children the impact of music-based activities, has major therapeutic benefits including increasing a child’s communication and social play skills, particularly those with complex needs.
“Having been lucky enough to be a judge at last year’s event it was a tremendously positive experience and one that has obviously whet the appetite amongst the FCA foster carers and children to try and wow us as judges even more at this year’s event. It should be a really fun occasion and I wish all the choirs the best of luck for the day”
If you think you have the patience, commitment and enthusiasm to foster a child or young person, have a spare bedroom and a willingness to learn, contact Foster Care Associates on 0800 022 4012 or visit www.thefca.co.uk.
FCA welcomes applications from single parents, married and co-habiting couples as well as same sex couples.