News / Arts
Young and old in perfect harmony
A South Bristol choir that aims to bring young and old people together across their community is urging people for support in a televised competition for £50,000 of lottery funding.
Handfuls of Harmony is one of six groups chosen to take part in the ITV contest – The People’s Millions 2014 – at the end of this month.
Community groups will go head-to-head over the course of three nights hoping to win National Lottery funding.
Handfuls of Harmony wants funding to develop its work with South Bristol schools, businesses, residential care homes, youth work provision, arts centres, and other creative groups – and is calling for support from Bristolians to help make their vision of a choir that involves people of all age groups become reality.
“Singing is for everyone, not just an elite few or ‘good singers’,” said choir leader Ali Orbaum. “Singing with other people helps you felt connected and there’s considerable evidence that it improves people’s health and wellbeing.”
The choir was in full voice for the cameras last Thursday, and will be featured on the ITV regional evening news programme at 6pm on November 26.
“It was really exciting singing and being filmed and I wish we could do it every week,” said one young choir member. “Me and my friends didn’t get nervous and just carried on singing our notes But I think some adults were a bit nervous.”
Voting numbers will be available on the day the projects are due to appear on ITV with telephone voting lines opening at 9am on each day and closing at midnight, and winners announced the following day.
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