COMMUNITY
The Promise of Singing and Fun
so everyday) pressures of our lives… Military Wives Choirs have established themselves around the RAF. Here we hear the joys from RAFs Marham, Shawbury and Northolt.
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Almost everyone knows who Gareth Malone is: the choirmaster who, with his BBC series ‘The Choir’, has single handedly reignited a passion for choral singing across the UK. And undoubtedly, his most famous choir is the Military Wives who not only had the coveted Christmas number 1 last year with the haunting ‘Wherever You Are’, but also won a Classical Brit Award with the same song. It struck a chord with a nation galvanized in supporting our troops and now the families left behind when they are deployed. Kelly Yates.
Nicola Holder reports from Marham Inspired by Gareth it took one lady, our Musical Director, Shamaine Elms, a great deal of drive and determination to get us together, singing in tune and where we are proud to be today.
40 Envoy Winter 2012
ith the promise of singing, fun and a release from the everyday (and not
The first meeting involving everybody’s favourite ice-breaker – a drink! But in the months following it became so much more. Since forming, and then joining up with the Military Wives Choirs Foundation, the Bluebirds Military Wives Choir (MWC) has gone from strength to strength. Our numbers have steadily grown, and the events we have taken part in have never failed to awe inspire and humble.
From the recording of ‘Sing’, the Commonwealth single, written especially for The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee to performing it at Buckingham Palace and the Classic BRIT Awards 2012. From recording tracks along with 40 other MWCs, now enveloped by the Foundation, on the new album ‘Stronger Together’ to being part of a new World Record in the shooting of the video for the new single of the same name.
We’ve also, and perhaps for us, more importantly, been honoured to have performed at events both on and off camp, including a Battle of Britain Remembrance Day in Norwich and the unveiling of Peterborough City Centre’s new war memorial. It is these events that really remind us of who we and our partners are, and of the heartbreak and heroism that comes with RAF life.
For me, being in the choir has meant the world. I had just moved to Marham when I joined and saw it as an ideal opportunity to make new friends quickly – something all we military wives have had to become accustomed to. It has taken me places I never thought I would go in my lifetime, in both the literal and figurative sense. It has not been the easiest of years, but then, who can claim to have had one of those? And as I write, I have had some news about my husband going away. But I am not as worried as I would have been at the prospect of looking after a three-year-old and a baby on my own, as I know I won’t be on my own – I will have my Bluebirds.
Every member of the choir has a story to tell; of life in the RAF, of being a military wife, of the challenges and sacrifices we each have to endure for the sake of the forces. The over- riding sense is now one of togetherness…
Catherine said: “I have found a unity I have never felt before. It’s an experience of true understanding. The commitment we all make is humbling. I really look forward to ‘Bluebird’ nights, it’s our time and voice! Proud is an understatement of how I feel to be part of the Military Wives Choir!”
www.raf-ff.org.uk
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