Singing In Sam’s Sunflowers

Left to right: Helen Rose, David Ford, Bob Cheshire, Viv James, Kate Stainton-Ellis, Angie Kingsland, Hayley Durrant

Community Choirs have not been able to meet for a long time and The Igloo Choir have been enjoying getting back together and singing in outdoor spaces. Sam’s Sunflower’s on Hayling Island is a breathtaking site, and the choir has so much fun entertaining other visitors with their music and enjoying one of their stage costumes in amongst the gorgeous blooms. 

“I know Sam took a punt on sewing the sunflowers this year as things were so uncertain when it needed to be done” says choir director DiElle, “it was such an uplifting experience to visit and sing here with the choir, especially since we’ve not been able to do much together in person for so long”. 

Some of the choir members are from Hayling Island, whilst others hail from Fareham, Portchester, Havant and Waterlooville. 

“After the week I’d had I really needed this flap in the flowers” says choir member Hayley Durrant.

During lockdown The Igloo Choir have continued to meet on zoom, learn new music and participate on collaborative projects like remote recordings and making videos for their previously recorded songs. The choir, formed roughly 10 years ago, sings mostly original compositions created collaboratively with the choir members.

Whilst this is an adult’s group, all members are young at heart as you can see, and share a common love of singing and silliness. Most members were novice singers when they joined the choir and new members learn what they need through choir membership.

Members of the choir were hidden amongst the sunflowers for other visitors to discover as they walked round. A photographer put a clip of the performance on instagram which had over 1000 views before the choir had finished their performance. https://www.instagram.com/reel/CTHqTbHgcvA

Sam generously gave bunches of flowers to each choir member. 

“We’re looking forward to returning next year hopefully” says DiElle. In the meantime you will be able to see The Igloo Choir singing at local events like Wickham Fete on 4th September and Saturday Night At The Pallant in Havant on 4th December. 

Categorised in: Choir, Singing, Uncategorized