Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Choir

petrinachristine

6 years ago

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I’m sitting in the canteen with my colleagues minding my own business when I get approached by a pleasant young lady. “Do you sing by any chance?”. My response is “Yes”. From a young age I’ve loved singing and went to various Performing Arts School which gave me the opportunity to perform at the London Palladium and attend events like The Brit Awards.

Long story short, Charlotte the young lady asked if I could sing on camera for a minute or 2 so she could show Gareth Malone. He was filming a new TV programme called The Choir: Sing While You Work where he formed 4 choirs from 4 workplaces across the country (Lewisham and NHS Trust, Manchester Airport, Severn Trent Water and Bristol Royal Mail). I auditioned and was chosen to be part of the choir and this was the start of the amazing journey. The show aired on BBC2 in 2012. The choir reached the final of the show but we didn’t win. Once the show finished the choir remained together performing at various events.

It was Christmas Day 2015 and the choir were asked to come to the Hospital to be filmed for the results of the Christmas Number. We waited anxiously while listening to the Official Top 40 Countdown from Number 10 to Number 2. “And at Number 2 Justin Bieber with Love Yourself”. Everyone jumped up and shouted with joy as we knew that we landed Christmas Number 1 with A Bridge Over You. It was such a surreal feeling as I always dreamed to have a Number 1 single from a young age and I finally achieved it with the choir.All profits from the single went to Mind, Carers UK and smaller charities chosen by the choir. The choir got the opportunity to meet Justin Bieber for the Official Christmas Number 1 photo (see below).

After the Christmas Number 1 success, the Choir were signed by Decca Records and ROAR Global. In June 2016 we recorded and released our debut album; Something Inside So Strong. We have had the opportunity to perform at some high-profile events including: Glastonbury Festival – on the legendary Pyramid Stage, The FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium, Children in Need’s Carfest with Chris Evans, Christmas with the Stars at the Royal Albert Hall, OnBlackheath (which also included an appearance with Squeeze), at Wembley Arena with Matt Goss and Stand Up To Cancer with Boy George.

All royalties earned by the choir through album sales or appearance fees are paid into Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust’s charitable funds. The charity funds projects that fall outside of NHS provision but enhance patient experience and the working lives of our staff.