Harborough music charity is poised to stage its first ever Virtual Concert

Coronavirus restrictions on gatherings mean the Trust’s six choirs and ensembles haven’t been able to meet up since March
Great Bowden Recital Trust (GBRT) will hold the groundbreaking online gig at 3pm on Sunday November 29.Great Bowden Recital Trust (GBRT) will hold the groundbreaking online gig at 3pm on Sunday November 29.
Great Bowden Recital Trust (GBRT) will hold the groundbreaking online gig at 3pm on Sunday November 29.

A leading Market Harborough music charity is poised to stage its first ever Virtual Concert.

Great Bowden Recital Trust (GBRT) will hold the groundbreaking online gig at 3pm on Sunday November 29.

Coronavirus restrictions on gatherings mean the Trust’s six choirs and ensembles haven’t been able to meet up since March.

But video-conferencing technology has made it possible for members to keep in touch with each other and continue to make beautiful music together.

The concert will showcase some of the music the choirs and ensembles have been learning during lockdown.

The special event will feature seven videos made by combining recordings that members have made of themselves playing and singing at home, including performances by GBRT Adult Vocal Choir, Flute Choir, Orchestra and Youth Vocal Choir.

There will also be performances from some of the trust’s fantastic Junior X Factor 2020 Finalists who didn’t get to perform in the finals of the competition this year due to lockdown.

Managing Trustee Sue Benson said: “We are so proud of the way in which our amazing community is still going strong after eight months of rehearsing online.

“Our Musical Directors and members have embraced new ways of making music together to make sure that we can keep in touch while we aren’t able to meet in person.

“But rehearsing online means that we can only hear ourselves singing or playing.”

She added: “Some of the music we will be performing in the concert we have only been learning since lockdown so it is quite emotional to hear everyone singing and playing together.”

The Trust also hopes to be able to use the concert to raise some funds for its charitable work.

“GBRT uses money raised through our concerts and other activities to fund a grant programme to support talented young singers and instrumentalists who need help with the cost of their specialist lessons.

“This work is even more important at the moment with so many families suffering financial hardship due to Covid-19,” said Sue.

“We would usually collect donations at seven or eight concerts and performances every year.

“But in 2020 we haven’t been able to perform in public at all and this has had a significant impact on our income.

“We aren’t charging for access to the concert because we believe that music should be accessible to everyone.

“But there will be an opportunity for the audience to show their appreciation by making a donation towards our charitable work if they would like to.”

The concert will be available to view online on Sunday November 29 and the link will be shared on the Trust’s website - https://www.gbrecitaltrust.co.uk/gbrt-virtual-concert

You can also check out the trust’s website for more information about joining their choirs and ensembles, their grant programme or their Junior X Factor competition.

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