Museum choir’s uplifting sing song gives Leeds some light entertainment

An inspiring group of singers has brought some much-needed light relief to Leeds with a heart-warming singalong.

Members of Leeds City Museum’s community choir worked with the Forget Me Nots Choir, which supports those affected by dementia and their families, on the uplifting virtual collaboration.

Their poignant performance of This Little Light has been released as the city and the nation reflects on a year since COVID-19 restrictions were introduced.

The Leeds City Museum choir, which usually meets and performs at the museum, is made up of singers of all abilities and was launched in 2017 with the aim of giving people the chance to enjoy singing in a relaxed environment.

Members have been singing together via Zoom throughout the pandemic and, determined to bring their voices back together, worked with a video editor to bring the piece to life.

Choir leader Emma Sargison, a local jazz singer and music teacher, said: “The choir has been a sanctuary for us all over lockdown. We have supported each other through singing and chatting too. We chose Little Light of Mine to honour the simple message of spreading light, keeping faith, and bringing hope to each other and our community.

“We've used breath-work as well as the songs themselves to support our bodies at this time and felt the benefits of communal singing from our own homes. It's been a joy to work with both choirs through lockdown and their support has meant so much to me and to the whole team. You've kept us going too- thank you and let's keep the light shining!”

The choirs’ performance will be submitted as part of the museum’s COVID-19 contemporary collecting programme.

Leeds City Museum currently remains closed due to COVID-19 but staff have been keeping their visitors engaged with a range of online activities and virtual exhibitions.

Councillor Mary Harland, Leeds City Council’s executive member for economy and culture said: “Our museums and galleries have been a hub for so many inventive activities over the past year, bringing people together and giving them some hope despite the challenges we have all faced.

“This beautiful performance is an incredible example of the sense of community spirit and togetherness which has kept us all going through the toughest times of the pandemic and it is a credit to all the singers and the staff who have worked so hard to make it happen.”

To view the performance in full, visit: https://youtu.be/EEIJ9oCLt6E

To find out more about joining the Leeds City Museums choir, visit: https://museumsandgalleries.leeds.gov.uk/events/leeds-city-museum/virtual-museum-choir/

ENDS