Groby Sings!

AT THE END of June, it was Oscars all round for Groby Sings At The Movies. It was so good to be back at our ‘home’ in Groby College and to finally have space for all three choirs to come together after several weeks of rehearsing separately at The Groby Club. It was no mean feat for Musical Director, Simon Lubkowski, who was experiencing his first major Groby Sings concert weekend, to have only one rehearsal in which to blend over 100 voices so that they produced a quality performance in every song.

After the concerts, Simon commented to the choir, ‘Well done for learning your songs so well…… (and)….. showing the enjoyment of singing together in this wonderful group – the youth choir were amazing and I found myself quite emotional at the quality of both their singing and the potential they have for the future.’

Groby Sings has always played a part in boosting the confidence of our young singers as has been shown by past youth choir members who have gone on to take part in school concerts, the Leics Sing Show Choir, which has performed at the De Montfort Hall and the NEC, and the Schools Prom at the Royal Albert Hall, amongst other events. One young Groby Singer also appeared in a West End stage production. So many amazing opportunities in which Groby Sings has helped and encouraged our young people.

At the post-concert Celebration Evening, there was a final singing of songs from Groby Sings At The Movies, helped along by drinks and, of course, cake! BBC Radio Leicester visited to record interviews and take photographs to publicise our being finalists in the Community Group category for BBC Radio Leicester’s Make A Difference Awards 2023. We will find out if we have won at the awards ceremony on Sunday 3rd September so watch this space. As a community choir we have always appreciated the support of our community in all its forms. There are, of course, all the friends and relatives who make up the enthusiastic audiences at our concerts but we are also grateful to the local businesses who sponsor our songs and help with publicity, local magazines and church newsletters which carry our Groby Sings news and reviews, the choir members who often travel several miles to sing with us and last, but by no means least, we owe a huge thank you to The Groby Club who have supported us from the start by generously providing us with a rehearsal space every week. As a charity, this is worth so much to Groby Sings as there is not an alternative, comparable and affordable space in the area so without it we probably wouldn’t exist.

Our next venture sounds quite ambitious – Groby Sings At The Opera. Some of the links might be a bit tenuous but, as always, all the songs will be enjoyable to sing. We already know that there will be something from The Phantom of the Opera and Les Miserables but we have to wait until the start of next season to find out if we have to brush up on our Italian or German for a real operatic aria or two! We know we’ll have plenty of laughter whatever we sing.

DIARY DATE: Singing resumes on WEDNESDAY, 6TH SEPTEMBER at THE GROBY CLUB, come and join us!

Singing sessions are Wednesdays, term time only, at The Groby Club, Leicester Road, Groby, Leicester LE6 0DJ, which has ramps and disabled facilities.

ADULT SINGERS: 1.30-3.00pm or 7.30-9.00pm, YOUTH & CHILDREN’S CHOIR (7 years and over): 3.404.40pm.

All sessions include a refreshment break. Pre-school children are welcome in the afternoon in the care of their adult with a crèche area available.

A warm welcome also to singers experiencing dementia or memory problems together with their friends and carers.

Enquiries via our website www. grobysings.org

Groby Sings is a Registered Charity no. 1180490

Chance to ‘make real difference’ to young people’s lives

Playing football in the park, going bowling or visiting the cinema are just some of the activities in which independent visitors are involved.

The county council is encouraging more people to volunteer and make a big difference to a child in care’s life by spending time with them outside their foster or residential home.

Information on becoming an independent visitor was available as part of a fostering and volunteering pop-up information event at Oadby Library last week, with virtual events being held every three weeks.

Leicestershire resident, Greg Walker, volunteered as an independent visitor after his wife saw an advert in a fostering magazine.

He said: “I missed being an active dad with my own children having grown up and left home. I particularly missed all the busy weekends and activities, such as visiting water parks, theme parks, and cinema visits.

“As an Independent visitor, it’s great to bring pleasure and enjoyment to another young person. I’m more active now, losing a little weight in the process and being able to claim costs back in line with the scheme.”

To find out more contact the Fostering Recruitment team on 0116 305 0505 or visit the webpage at www.leicestershire.gov. uk/news/call-to-spare-time-to-support-children-in-care.