We don't just run we sing!
Posted 27th March 2018
Once a year, as well as running, fitness walking, cycling, buggy sessions and junior athletics, Fitmums & Friends members in East Yorkshire can also get involved in singing! An inter-generational choir brings together men, women and children who meet for 11 weeks culminating in a concert at week 12 to raise funds for local charities. Non-member are also welcome and this has become a much loved event. This year the choir raised just over £1500 shared between the Daisy Appeal and Fitmums & Friends. As with all Fitmums & Friends activities the benefits are often beyond the obvious. Hear what this years participants have to say about their experience of being a part of this very special venture...
"I was invited to join the Fitmums and Friends choir last year by my daughter and I eagerly awaited our first rehearsal in January 2017. We were given our words to our songs and although this at first seemed very daunting, it was not at all onerous as we were encouraged to lean the tunes and words weekly and we grew in to confidence together. The finale of course, was the concert which was a huge success, not only great fun for us all but knowing we were raising money for such a worthwhile charity.
2018 we began rehearsals and in a very few weeks we took part in the Cottingham Music Festival, I think we were all very nervous as we didn’t know what to expect but what a buzz we all had we achieved second place in our category, excellent team work. Our practices continued and I personally look forward to Sunday afternoon and the fun we all have, with all the very Fitmums, men and children. The concert will be amazing, and I personally love the songs we are singing and know we are helping so many people who have been affected by cancer in Supporting the Daisy Appeal. I look forward to next year and hope the choir will continue!!".
"When I was at secondary school, I was one of those girls who avoided PE at all costs; I took up the 'cello mainly so I could get out of Games... I started running in 2012, with a couch to 5K app and by February 2013 was one of the founding members of Beverley Fitmums. But I always felt like I wasn't really a runner, always seemed to be tackling something for the first time and often felt totally out of my depth especially when it came to any kind of competitive event - even our regular grass-track sessions used to make me shake with nerves beforehand! When somebody suggested that there would be a Fitmums choir starting I was really keen to join, and my daughter, then 6 years old, wanted to come along too. My confidence had generally taking quite a hammering in various ways, and I realised that going along to choir and being one of the not-beginners there would probably give me a boost. It really did - it was such a relief to feel like I was actually competent at something, surrounded by all these amazing runners who didn't know they could sing! That confidence boost has continued and strengthened. The support and fellowship of the other choir members is a powerful thing, and this year I'm going to be singing on my own with my lovely daughter for the first time. It's a big deal for me, and a huge one for her: she's currently awaiting assessment for Aspergers, and doing any kind of performance is a really, really big challenge for her. The fact that she feels safe enough to have a go at this, with me, surrounded by her Fitmums family is the biggest tribute to the inspiration, enthusiasm and love that is at the heart of everything Fitmums and Friends does".
"After 43 years of working and entering retirement, I joined Fitmums and Friends Choir last year (2017). The Choir is run during the dark winter months, it has helped me to adjust to retirement and fulfill an ambition of mine to try and sing again, the last time I sang in a choir was at junior school.
I have found that the choir has helped me reignite my grey brain cells, my ability to try to remember the words of the songs, how to read music and also testing my rusty vocals and lungs!! As a group we are often laughing at our errors during practice, which we easi-ly resolved together. The songs are often with me during the week and make me smile when they jump into my mind at all different times.
Fitmums has many strings to its bow, the choir string has helped me during this transitional period. I couldn't wait to join again this year. Many thanks!".
"I came to the first concert by Fitmums & Friends choir at the Civic Hall in Cottingham a few years ago and enjoyed it immensely! The singing and enthusiasm was amazing! I noticed that there were only a few men, and being someone who enjoys singing, I really wanted to join. I felt so welcomed and up-lifted with being involved the next year that I have wanted to be a part of it ever since! I look forward to every practice. Please don't stop - not just for me but for everyone involved, the lives of the people the choir touches when it performs, and for the charities you support by putting on the concerts!!!".
"I sang in the choir last year, discovering about it from my friendship with Ruth (Choir Leader). It was a great experience and wonderful to be in a community choir that didn’t expect musical expertise other than an enjoyment of singing. Ruth ‘s leadership and the teamwork from so many ‘fitmums ‘ to create a brilliant concert and to support a charity was, and I know will be, an evening to remember. Thank you for being so inclusive so that myself, not a ‘fitmum’ can enjoy the joy of singing".
My own little story started about 18 months ago when it was suggested we form a works choir for the City of Culture year and after much cajoling I agreed to go along to see what it was all about, having never sung in a remotely coordinated way in my life. OMG, what a revelation it proved to be and I enjoyed it so much that when the works choir came to a natural end I wanted, almost needed, to keep going so the Fitmums Choir was the perfect outlet for me. It can be hard to describe to non-believers the buzz and the feel good factor that comes from signing with a group of others and the absolute enjoyment that it brings and its definitely added to my overall feeling of wellbeing. I look forward to our rehearsals immensely and equally can’t wait for next Saturday’s performance. Thanks so much for the opportunity.
"I came to the concert last year and was impressed with the quality of the singing but probably more so by the organisation itself. Prior to the concert I didn’t really have much of an idea as to who, what and why Fitmums & Friends was all about/existed so the concert was a great way of raising its profile as well as raising much needed funds for charity. So on the back of that I decided I would join this year as a way of ‘giving back’. As well as being hugely enjoyable, I’ve also found that having to memorise the songs and concentrate on them has been a good brain exercise and I’ve actually found it to be helpful in other areas of my life – all about discipline!".
"I have just loved this choir. It’s the thing I look forward to all week and de-stresses me before work starts all over again. I love to sing the songs in the car and the kitchen. I love the connections it has given me to people I would never have met otherwise. My confidence grows a little every week".
"Choir has been a highlight of my weekend for the last 10 weeks. I find it totally relaxing. An hour at choir is a time to forget about everything else and devote your thoughts , listening to the wonderful Ruthie (Choir Lead) and sing.
This year it was an amazing experience to participate in Cottingham music festival (although a little scary at the time). The feedback we received summarised the Fitmums choir to me. Fitmums choir is a chance for people of all ages and musical ability to come together to enjoy singing and have fun! In my case it’s an opportunity for three generators to do something together!
I am also totally grateful to ‘Fitmums Choir’ and the influence it has had on my son. The confidence he has gained has had such an impact on his schooling and experiences. In October he and his friend entered ‘The Voice’ at school. They took part in the finalists charity concert performing on stage in front of an audience. I strongly believe he would not have contemplated entering had he not participated in the Fitmums choir and concert last year. These first experiences are just so invaluable for our FMJs! Thank you again for another wonderful year of the ‘Fitmums choir’!".
"My husband is currently going through chemotherapy and life is hard. My one-hour out at choir has been a life-saver. I've been able to switch off and forget about the difficulties of life. I've felt the warmth of friendship and the balm of the songs has been invaluable. I've been moved to tears and warmed by the most incredible feeling of working as a team to make an amazing sound. I actually felt my skin tingle and my heart burst at times. I already can't wait for next year. Thank you to my choir pals and our amazing leader Ruthie".
If you would like to be a part of the next Fitmums & Friends Inter-generational Choir look out for notices on the main facebook page in November each year or email admin@fitmums.org.uk
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