Retford Community Singers has been unable to meet since March, but some of the members have been singing via Zoom and have now produced two videos which are freely available on YouTube:
- Somewhere Over The Rainbow (Harold Arlen and EY Harburg, arranged by Jane Schonveld), with the addition of a range of local photos as a record of how our community looked under lockdown.
- Sithi Shwele, from the soundtrack of the documentary film ‘We are Together’ about the Agape Children’s Orphanage in South Africa. Retford singers were joined by African singer-songwriter Charlie Banda live from Zimbabwe for this recording. His voice provides a haunting counterpoint to the choir’s harmony singing. ‘We South Africans sing when we’re happy, sing when we’re sad. It’s a healing thing’ (Zwai Bala, South African singing star)
Look for ‘Somewhere over the Rainbow Zoom session’ on YouTube – www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWGQp1D6HLc&feature=youtu.be – and ‘Sithi Shwele’ – www.youtube.com/watch?v=auaHCuH4Iyg.
The songs represent just two examples of the kind of repertoire Retford Community Singers enjoy and are also a record of the restrictions of spring 2020. All choirs know the healing quality of singing together in harmony at the best of times and have really been uplifted by the virtual experience, too.
Thank you to Janet Wood, who leads the choir and encouraged this new venture. Also thank you to choir member John Freeman, who provided technical expertise in making the recordings and producing the videos.
It is still uncertain when the choir will be able to meet again in the normal way. Meanwhile, watch this space – there may be another Zoom recording of songs to celebrate the local heritage sometime soon. For more details see www.retfordcommunitysingers.co.uk.