PRESS RELEASE: – 06/02/2024
CHOIR WHO STAND UP TO CANCER
Almost twelve years ago a new community Choir came together for their first rehearsal: widely considered at the time to be ill-conceived and doomed to failure, Bolton Cancer Voices sought to offer a different, inspirational and fun way to support people living with or beyond cancer of any kind.
Nothing has stood in their way since and following a protracted period apart during the pandemic they were delighted to finally be reunited last September under the baton of new Musical Director – Katie Geelan, welcoming many new members. Now excitedly looking to the future the Choir is keen to encourage more people to take up singing with them: not only is singing in a Choir a wonderful hobby, it’s increasingly recognised as having positive benefits on health and well-being and in the case of Bolton Cancer Voices it provides a community with singing at its heart and a supportive environment running throughout, where the challenges that can accompany a cancer diagnosis or moving on afterwards are understood. Whilst some people choose to leave everything cancer related at the door and focus on the joy of singing, learning something new, having a laugh and looking forward to the next concert or activity, others are drawn to this special Choir because of its unique community, where there is reassurance in knowing that cancer is a condition everyone is familiar with and there will always be someone willing to listen, speak with them or share the benefit of personal experience.
Membership is open to anyone eighteen years old and over, who has received a cancer diagnosis of any type at any time in their life. The Choir has no geographical restrictions, as long as people can get to the centre of Bolton for rehearsals on Monday evenings: membership is free; you don’t need to read music; you can be a seasoned performer or completely new to singing and there are no auditions to worry about.
People join at all points in their cancer journey from one day post diagnosis to fifty-five years post diagnosis: some members are currently receiving treatment, others many years on from the period of their illness and some living with cancer as a chronic condition.
Whilst Bolton Cancer Voices has a unique criterion for membership they certainly don’t allow themselves to be defined or restricted by the disease: their many highlights include an annual ‘Jingle Bell Sing-A-Long’ concert at the Victoria Hall to which, they have welcomed guest bands including Besses Boys’ Band and the Greater Manchester Police Band; various singing workshops; recording a CD; being featured on BBC Northwest Tonight, ITV Granada Reports and That’s Manchester; appearing at Manchester Cathedral; their 5th Birthday concert with guests Salford Symphony Orchestra and Affetside Choir; a joint venture with the legendary ‘Houghton Weavers’ and participating in the ‘Festival of Brass and Voices’ at the Royal Albert Hall, London.
Karen Elliott – Founder & Chair said:-
It’s awesome to finally be back together and once again filling the air with the sound of music on Monday evenings. The enthusiasm is infectious and we want ever more people to experience this. We know it can feel daunting to make that first call, particularly if you’ve never previously been in a Choir but I can assure you that we’re a really friendly bunch and you will be made most welcome.
Sadly there will be many people out there who received a cancer diagnosis or thankfully completed their treatment during the time we were apart and we’d dearly like to connect with them and welcome them to our Choir: it’s free, so what have you got to lose!’
For more details contact Karen on 01204 595562 / 07773 164235