Goodbye 2018…..my review of the year.

It was in January 2018 that I launched my choir – The West Bridgford Liberty Singers – some of them remember that first night with around 128 people attending. We were certainly off to a cracking start. From there, the choir grew from strength to strength and we developed new friendships and a real sense of community. We’ve celebrated 22 rehearsals, 3 workshops, 3 Test Match gigs, 5 Christmas gigs, 1 charity afternoon tea, a Prom in the Park performance and I can’t even begin to think how much cake we’ve eaten!

Shortly after this, I began a pop up venture in Nottingham with Jeanne Booth at Think in NG which was the foundation for my latest venture. Although the pop up singing in town has ended, a new venue is taking it on and so on 30th January 2019 I start the Pop Up Liberty Singers at the Test Match pub in West Bridgford.

I also developed 2 smaller choirs which have been incredibly successful – both of them continuing and another starting again in January. I have around 10 regular singing clients coming to me for private lessons and am looking forward to starting with some new people in the new year.

The community aspect of my choirs has always been important and so I was delighted to be able to support the Footprints charity with our afternoon tea event last November and to collect for charities at out Christmas singing events in the shopping centres in Nottingham. At Christmas a small group of us sang for the residents at Adbolton Care Home in Lady Bay which we all found rewarding. I have some work in the pipeline locally for some teenagers…. watch this space!

Workplace singing is starting to take off too! I’ve worked with the University of Nottingham Library department with their staff and continue to work with the halls of residence students across their various campus sites. I’ve sung with the Beeston Dental Practice and De Ferrers 6th form college and have more workplace singing planned for 2019.

When I look back at the goals I set for myself this year I realise that many of the goals have been achieved. I also realise that I do not achieve this on my own. I’m helped massively by my Mum and Dad who work behind the scenes with me at The West Bridgford Liberty Singers, by Janet Merryweather and Janet Dobson for the same reasons. My husband Mike who supports all aspects of my work (and always attends my gigs!) and to my children who tolerate me singing all day,every day. My access to contacts for further ventures is always supported by my choir and I have made truly valuable friendships, for which I am forever grateful.

And of course, there’s not a chance of any of this working without my singers is there!? So thank you, to each and every one of you for singing with me and making my dreams and aspirations come true.