Funding cut means Gosberton musician is going solo to keep inclusive choir alive
A choir group in our area has been made to go solo after their funding was slashed by a Lincolnshire organisation.
Supported by the likes of English choirmaster Gareth Malone and British conductor and music educator Suzy Digby, Choir Vibe is now looking for more members as they begin their solo journey.
Liz Lenten has been directing and managing the group since 2009, she said: “The Lincolnshire Music Service is not able to fund the group moving forward so we are continuing here at Scarlet Records in Gosberton.
“The cuts to funding are frustrating because Choir Vibe has been going for years, we were affiliated with the Spalding Music Centre but their budget has been slashed.
“We don’t want our group to disappear but we just don’t have the funding at the moment.
“It's a totally inclusive choir, we have all sorts of people of all sorts of abilities and disabilities. I’d really like to build the numbers up again so that we can perform.
“I have received so many performance opportunities locally, regionally and nationally - I am getting asked for us to perform constantly so I hope we can get this group rebuilt.”
Liz added: “A lot of people may be nervous about singing but you don’t have to be in our setting –it’s very relaxed and we do make a beautiful sound, come and give this a go, it is such a lovely warm group.”
Composer Howard Goodall said: “Anything Liz Lenten does has a dusting of magic about it. All I can say to anyone who is thinking of joining, just go, it’ll be brilliant and you’ll wonder why you waited to think about it.”
Suzy Digby (OBE) is the patron for Choir Vibe, she said: “ For me, singing in a choir was probably the most important single feature of my childhood. You will develop yourself, make special friends and you will learn about reaching goals which will be incredibly satisfying and make you feel good about yourself.”
The choir group meet up every Tuesday in Gosberton between 4.30pm and 6pm and every session costs £3.
Liz also works on other projects within the community, one of which includes some interactive music and story telling sessions which are held weekly in Gosberton.
She said: “The Musical Storytime group sessions are for parents, carers and toddlers who can take part in practical interactive music making and interactive storytelling. It is led by myself and Jill Smith who is an early years practitioner. It has previously been so successful so we have started another round.”
The group is held at the Public Hall in Gosberton every Friday between 10am and 11am until Friday, October 6.
By listening and creating music it can support children to learn numeracy, literacy and emotional skills. The sessions also encourage learning music, as well as reading and sharing stories.
To attend it costs £1 per session and the group is funded by South Holland District Council. To book a place contact Gill on 07432 504096 or email info@scarletrecording.co.uk.
If you are interested in adding some colour to your weekends, Liz will also be starting a Carnival co-design project later this month.
The project will encourage anyone between the ages of five to 18 to enjoy learning how to play the melodica, make new friends, sing, dance and help design the carnival.
Liz said: “I am really looking forward to it, we would have been doing it now for 19 years and we have just received funding for this year and next year which is great.”
The group will run at St Margaret’s Hall in Quadring from Saturday, September 30 until Saturday, December 16 between 10.30am and 12 midday.
It will cost £1 per week and to book email liz@scarletrecording.co.uk or call 01775 841750.
