Warwick-based music charity bring singing and music to those in isolation

A Warwick-based music charity Armonico Consort has been adapting during lockdown to bring singing and music to people online in their own homes.

Via YouTube, some residents aged over 60 and those isolating, have been taking part in free daily 'sing with Simon' singalongs with one of Armonico Consort’s professional choir leaders, Simon Lole.

The charity says that singing 'has been medically proven to lift spirits and improve mental health' and the organisation has been filming singing sessions for the benefit of people in care homes, sheltered housing and retirement villages in the area including Austin Heath in Warwick.

It also says that 'music has also been shown to benefit those with dementia' and Armonico Consort is working with groups connected with the Alzheimer’s Society on a unique and bespoke programme of music therapy sessions for dementia sufferers called Unlocking Baroque Memories, delivered by its professional musicians.

Armonico Consort’s singing education programme AC Academy works with schools and music hubs to promote singing in schools.

On June 3, 2,500 children from across the UK, including Warwickshire, were due to take part in its gala concert AC Academy Does the Royal Albert Hall.

Due to the pandemic, the concert couldn’t go ahead, so a ‘virtual’ Royal Albert Hall concert was created so that those who were due to participate could sing along at home.

Since lockdown, Armonico Consort also have been running free 'sing ‘n’ shine' sessions online, ideal for those aged eight years upwards, for children to enjoy at home via Facebook Live

every Wednesday at 2pm.

Meanwhile members of AC Academy’s after school choirs based in Warwick, Coventry and Solihull, have been accessing online singing and coaching sessions via Facebook, Zoom and

Skype, and its 'voice squad' workplace choirs have also been continuing their weekly sessions via Zoom.

Artistic Director Christopher Monks has been hosting ‘a crafty beer with …’ sessions with artists in a series of interviews on Facebook.

Christopher said: “Coronavirus stopped us and everyone in their tracks but we’ve worked intensively and swiftly to re-invent ourselves in order to deliver virtual sessions for those we already work with, create and deliver new and exciting online projects to support those in society most affected by isolation, and give vital work to our professional musicians who have seen their livelihoods collapse as a result of the crisis.

"Our musicians have been performing and recording and, thanks to sponsors, the next chapter will shortly begin with socially-distant, live recorded concerts in outdoor settings.”

All the existing sessions are free to view via Armonico Consort on YouTube (Armonico Consort) and Facebook (ArmonicoConsort) and 'sing ‘n’ shine' children’s sessions continue every Wednesday at 2pm on Facebook Live.

For details go to: www.armonico.org.uk