Trinity musicians play on

As the country continues to wait for the full resumption of live music performances we look at some of the ways in which Trinity musicians – past and present – have responded to the challenges of continuing to make music during lockdown and beyond.

Many current and former Trinity Choir members work with Sing Inside, a charity which leads singing workshops in prisons. Their aim is to break down social barriers, and to build confidence and creativity in both prison residents and Sing Inside volunteers. Due to the pandemic they are currently unable to visit prisons in person but have been working hard to raise money and contact prisons remotely. https://www.singinside.org/

Former Choir members Helen Charlston and Michael Craddock developed the #LiederRelay project at the start of lockdown. They initially performed their known repertoire, but have encouraged people to send new pieces composed during lockdown or which reflect the current health situation. This collection – the ‘Isolation Songbook’ – premiered on 29 July in collaboration with the City Music Foundation. https://www.helencharlston.com/isolation-songbook

Composer and former organ scholar Owain Park directs the Gesualdo Six. The group have published favourite musical tracks in the series #G6Elevenses. On 29 August they will perform in ‘Live from London’, an online festival taking place between August and October showcasing some of the world’s finest vocal ensembles. https://bit.ly/live-from-london

Over lockdown, Choir alumna Jess Dandy sang and shared lullabies ranging from Brahms to The Beatles to help those struggling to sleep or wind down. Jess is also the founder of SongPath, a mental health initiative based in South Cumbria which encourages participants to find ways of connecting through walking, talking and making music together. https://www.jessdandycontralto.com/ and https://www.songpath.co.uk/

Another Choir alumna, Hannah King, has collaborated with nurseries in her home town of Bolton to compose a song which helps nursery-age children learn how to stay safe (and still have fun!) in a time of social distancing. The song – ‘How to be like a Wellasaurus!’ – was arranged by Owain Park. https://bit.ly/2UwBObO

The College Music Society – TCMS – put together a series of eight concerts which were live-streamed on Facebook throughout Easter term. The recitals came from the homes of current Choir members and Trinity students, and included performances for solo voice, piano duo, and jazz ensemble (a virtual take on Trinity’s much-loved Jazz in the Bar!) https://www.facebook.com/TrinityCollegeMusicSociety/

Alumna Christine Lawrie, a pianist, performs a regular Sunday afternoon concert with her husband, violinist, Marcus Barcham-Stevens in a series #ConcertFromOurLivingRoom. The concerts take place fortnightly. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBpkYeisI0uStetLah1rF1w/videos

#LOCKJAM, an initiative founded by former Choir member Andrea Cockerton, promotes live music and supports freelance musicians and technicians who have been hit hard by the pandemic via a virtual venue with the latest technology. https://www.thelockjam.com/

Former organ scholar, Mike Waldron is the founder of the London Choral Sinfonia. The organisation hosed a series of ‘Aperatif’ concerts during lockdown. www.thelcs.org

To keep up with the many initiatives follow the Choir’s Facebook Page.