Singing on screen: This is how choir rehearsals now look for the Great Bowden Recital Trust

An outstanding Market Harborough music charity has moved its rehearsals online to stay active as the country remains locked down.

Tough restrictions on gatherings mean Great Bowden Recital Trust’s (GBRT) six choirs and ensembles cannot meet up face to face.

But state-of-the-art video conferencing technology is making it possible for members to keep in touch with each other.

And to continue doing what they do best – making excellent music together.

GBRT Adult Vocal Choir has already staged two cracking online rehearsals with more than 50 members able to take part in each.

The Trust’s Flute Choir and Carnival Drums have also been experimenting with online rehearsals.

And for the youngest members, GBRT Youth Choir Juniors’ Musical Director Graham Vick is recording sessions which are shared via GBRT’s Facebook page (@greatbowdenrecitaltrust) for them to sing along to at home.

Managing Trustee Sue Benson said: “GBRT is so much more than music-making for many of our members.

“We have a very strong community ethos.

“So to be able to keep in touch and support each other during this difficult period is very important.

“Our musical directors have shown great enthusiasm and flexibility to adapt the ways that they work to suit an online platform.

“They have worked very hard to make sure that everything runs as smoothly as possible.”

She added: “The time lag between connections mean that we can’t sing or play together ‘live’.

“But we are using pre-recorded tracks to give the feeling of performing as part of a group and being able to see everyone on screen is really special.

“Some of our groups have switched from fortnightly to weekly rehearsals so that we can keep in regular contact which is so important for members who are having to self-isolate.”

The renowned music charity runs six choirs and ensembles for adults and young people.

They are:

- GBRT Adult Vocal Choir

- GBRT Carnival Drums

- GBRT Flute Choir

- GBRT Orchestra

- GBRT Youth Choir Juniors (for ages 5-8)

- GBRT Youth Vocal Choir (for ages 10-18)

The hugely-successful Harborough charity also gives grants to young people in financial need to help pay for music lessons.

Great Bowden Recital Trust was established in 2004 by Andrew and Kathryn Cartwright.

It started out by bringing some of Europe’s leading classical musicians to perform in Market Harborough.

And every penny profit made was handed to talented young musicians who could not afford instrumental lessons.

More than a decade later the Trust is now a registered music charity providing music-related activities for grateful residents in South Leicestershire and North Northamptonshire.

The Trust believes in making access to music barrier.

That includes keeping the cost of event tickets to a minimum, no auditions to any of its choirs and ensembles and a fully all-inclusive approach to each and every one of its activities.

“The proven visible, positive impact that music has on the lives of young and old alike extends to building confidence, communication and discipline, increasing co-ordination and encouraging social relationships between individuals and groups of all ages,” the Trust’s website declares.

“The Trust continually strives to encourage personal development by using music in all its forms.”